Craftsman gt18 trail mower build
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MightyRaze
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Author Message stokesdead New Member
Join date : 2022-10-15Posts : 5 Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 11th 2023, 7:50 am How are you liking the SUNF Power II's? I just picked up a set and so far really like them so curious how they are holding up for you. As soon as I was somewhat confident the tractor was going to run, I ordered up the tires. lol. Love your
build btw.
I have the same issues needing weight in the front, better steering, and the tires catching the hood when flexed out. I had to trim the rear fenders. Hate to trim the bonnet but I may have to, or widen the front axle to get the tires out of the sheet metal.
Adventurewagen wrote: First up is tires, found the most cheap / biggest ones off Amazon.
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Join date : 2023-04-02Points : 502Posts : 72 Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 11th 2023, 9:09 am I'm building a 4 inch wider axle for mine. The sunf tires are great! They really hook up even in the loose dirt I'll pull wheelies! Have a few plans for improved steering, looking for a used vw bug steering box to get rid of the weak steering gears and tie rods and such.
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Age : 49Join date : 2016-09-06Points : 15132Posts : 10677Location : Oklahoma Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 11th 2023, 11:51 am Something to help keep the nose down on these Craftsman's,
My personal opinion: If you are going to modify the steering are not going to return it to mowing service, remove the front mule and move the front axle forward. What I do it move the back bolts to the center bolt location and drill new holes for the front 4 bolts.
Here is what the new stance looks like.
Then you can liquid fill the front tires to help hold them down as well.
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Join date : 2023-04-02Points : 502Posts : 72 Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 12th 2023, 9:17 am How does the stretch effect the maneuverability? That's the only reason I've kept a short wheelbase. This mower is gonna stay a trail mower so mods are ok, the deck got hauled off last week with a load of metal.
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Age : 49Join date : 2016-09-06Points : 15132Posts : 10677Location : Oklahoma Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 12th 2023, 1:57 pm With the 4 inch stretch, I don't really see any difference (unlocked). Locking the rear on the other hand pretty increased the radius, but that is the norm for a locked rear.
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Age : 21Join date : 2016-10-29Points : 6673Posts : 3669Location : Lewisburg, KY Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 12th 2023, 2:01 pm I think I did the same stretch as mighty on the GT6k. Like he said, you don’t really notice the difference besides what’s from the locked rear end. I would fill the front tires with fluid first and see how that helps.
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Join date : 2023-04-02Points : 502Posts : 72 Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 12th 2023, 7:07 pm New tool! Been wanting one for years, side job money paid for it and holy crap! This thing cuts like a hot knife through butter.
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Age : 49Join date : 2016-09-06Points : 15132Posts : 10677Location : Oklahoma Adventurewagen Member
Join date : 2023-04-02Points : 502Posts : 72 Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 20th 2023, 5:40 pm Axle has been moved forward roughly 2.5 inches, working on a wider beam as well, waiting for welds to cool to slap it in. Also beefing tie rods.
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Join date : 2023-04-02Points : 502Posts : 72 Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 21st 2023, 4:19 pm Made a skid plate for the trans out of an old truck gas tank skid plate I had laying around.
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Join date : 2023-04-02Points : 502Posts : 72 MightyRaze Admin istrator
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Age : 49Join date : 2016-09-06Points : 15132Posts : 10677Location : Oklahoma Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build May 21st 2023, 8:57 pm Man, I should build skid plates for a couple my tractors. One day I'll get to it. Not too many rocky places here where I live that I have seen. Really diggin this build !
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Age : 45Join date : 2019-07-02Points : 4369Posts : 2383Location : Ontario, Canada Adventurewagen Member
Join date : 2023-04-02Points : 502Posts : 72 Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build June 6th 2023, 7:20 pm Making a new exhaust, want it a bit louder. Have to see how it sounds once done. Also was having issues with the rear wheels coming loose, the og lug bolts didn't engage the spacers very well so I took some used lug nuts and peeled the faux chrome cap then welded a 7/16 bolt in them. They hold much better and long enough to run a jamb nut on the backside of the flange.
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Join date : 2023-04-02Points : 502Posts : 72 Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build June 6th 2023, 8:59 pm We've been getting some rain finally, mud hole behind the shop is a blast. Wish I had trails around here to hit up.VIDEO
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Age : 45Join date : 2019-07-02Points : 4369Posts : 2383Location : Ontario, Canada Adventurewagen Member
Join date : 2023-04-02Points : 502Posts : 72 Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build June 6th 2023, 9:48 pm Thanks! I ended up pulling the little baffle, was way too quiet with it in there. Muffler was a deal for only 36 bucks. Like that it sits higher up and out of the way too, more room for maybe a hitch in the future.
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Join date : 2023-04-02Points : 502Posts : 72 Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build June 17th 2023, 11:51 am Working on some 4x4 hubs for the front. It's been roasting hot so haven't done much lately.
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Join date : 2023-04-02Points : 502Posts : 72 Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build August 6th 2023, 4:02 pm Took a ride to what's left of the Guadalupe River, very dire straights now for water.
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Age : 49Join date : 2016-09-06Points : 15132Posts : 10677Location : Oklahoma RichieRichOverdrive Mod erator
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Age : 21Join date : 2016-10-29Points : 6673Posts : 3669Location : Lewisburg, KY Adventurewagen Member
Join date : 2023-04-02Points : 502Posts : 72 Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build August 7th 2023, 9:06 am Haven't done much lately on the mower, been building an engine for my buddies westfalia and lots of side jobs. I did however pick up a vw bug steering box at a swap meet for 10 bucks and a sweet steering wheel so I'll be upgrading all the steering and hubs at the same time.
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Join date : 2023-04-02Points : 502Posts : 72 Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build August 12th 2023, 10:35 pm Little cruise to the river bed, buddies mower spit the chain out about 50 feet in so I towed him back.
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Age : 21Join date : 2016-10-29Points : 6673Posts : 3669Location : Lewisburg, KY Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build August 16th 2023, 8:22 pm Always nice having someone to ride with. That craftsman looks in its element out on the river bed
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Age : 49Join date : 2016-09-06Points : 15132Posts : 10677Location : Oklahoma Adventurewagen Member
Join date : 2023-04-02Points : 502Posts : 72 Subject: Re: Craftsman gt18 trail mower build August 17th 2023, 7:48 pm Thanks! I'm running only 5 psi on the rear tires but I think I need to try like 2 psi, it's rougher than hell on those river rocks. Also thinking a better cushier seat too, this one is pretty dang firm. My buddies cadet is so cool, it's like it was designed to be a go kart lol, thanks international!
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Craftsman gt18 trail mower build