Dan67's Hustler 950 Rebuild

[lewis]

Dan, everything that you do prior to putting the frame in the tub is a good thing and a back saver. Prefit everthing and keep parts together. Bearings, tubes and axles. Prefit each to the frame to ensure all fit well prior to placing the tub back into the body. Even doing this there will still be bumps in the road. Stay with it and all will come together. Don't rush the install and it will pay dividins. Look forward to seeing your final machine.

[Dan67]

Was another nice warm day so I spent some time this late afternoon and test fitted the axles, sprockets, bearings, flanges, T-20, and the engine. Had a few minor adjustments, sand some rust off an 2 axles, but for the most part it went extremely fast and easy. So its picture time..

[micmac]

Dan,

Looks great! Got to feel good that you rounded the corner and things are starting to come together for you. Question about the secondary clutch spring. Not sure if that was the old one from a 2 stroke but if you might want to consider getting a red spring from Recreatives. Not too expensive and easy to change now with the frame and trans so handy

[Dan67]

It has an old worn out green spring in it. I already have a red spring from RI. I just don't have a tool I can use to change it out with. That and I am very cautious about it.

[micmac]

No special tools required except maybe snap ring pliers. This manual tells you how to do it (see below). Don't worry, the spring pressure isn't that great. It's more twisted tension then "Boing" take your eye out pressure.

http://www.6x6world.com/images/salisbury-clutch/Salsbury-torque-converter-18.jpg

[Dan67]

I need to get some steam rolling on the build before it gets too cold to work outside. Put the frame back in the body tonight. It will need to sit for a few days so that the tub can d-flex from sitting on my movers dolly. Once it settles down and the bolt holes realign I will install the axles, sprockets, lock collars, and the engine.

[Dan67]

Had a bit more time and some warm weather today and I got the left middle and rear axles, sprockets, and bearings installed. I wish I had more time this evening and I would have gotten more done. Tomorrows weather is supposed to be almost as nice.

[Dan67]

I got the right middle and rear done this evening.. 4 down, 2 to go.. I hope the expected rain tomorrow will not dampen me too much. It would be nice to get the remaining front axles installed.

[Dan67]

Not much time this evening but I did get the left front installed. Just need to get the right front done.

[Dan67]

I now have all 6 axles and sprockets installed and the chains back in. Got the drive chains tightened down really good. I'm amazed at how tight I can now get the rear chains. I do have one little concern.. The front chains are about 1/4" above the nuts and bonded washers I used to attach the skid plate. Is that 1/4" gonna be enough or are the chains going to grab the ends and get hung up? I got a bad feeling I'm going to stop and take it all back apart and remove all the offending nuts and patch the holes. I don't even know if the remaining bolts are enough to hold the skid plate up to the body without having to go back and plastic weld the entire skid plate to the lower tub.

I could really use some help here guys.

[Stonewall]

Could you possibly take strips of UHMW and drill holes in them where your bolts go, then glue that under the chain to prevent it from catching on them?

[Dan67]

I asked some of the maintenance guys at work and they suggested something along the same lines. Cut a bunch of small strips of UHMW or hdpe and glue/weld them to the body.

[Dan67]

I'm still slowly chugging along on the build. Got all my wires drawn out. Switch panel is finished. Started making my wire harness. Got a bunch of clips welded to the lower body to route the wiring and fuel line. Got the gas tank cleaned, replaced the O-rings on the shutoff valve. Hopefully the leaking is fixed. I wanted to replace it but was unable to find a part that would fit.

[Dan67]

Just a little update.. I did a crappy job welding the clips Many of them popped off and I'll need to redo them. I did get the belt the other day, just installed the engine for good and bolted it down installed the ground wire, starter wire, connected the throttle and the choke. Put the last 2 tires on it too.. boy do those 22x10-8 runamucks look funny on a 980

[lewis]

Just a little update.. I did a crappy job welding the clips Many of them popped off and I'll need to redo them. I did get the belt the other day, just installed the engine for good and bolted it down installed the ground wire, starter wire, connected the throttle and the choke. Put the last 2 tires on it too.. boy do those 22x10-8 runamucks look funny on a 980

Kepp pushing Dan, looking good. I thought you were putting the at189's on it?