Author Topic: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD  (Read 322755 times)

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Offline Tom Fox

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Re: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD
« Reply #315 on: October 08, 2007, 09:09:56 pm »
A few updates.....The trailer towed beautifully!! Took road bumps and such like a Cadillac.

After My first event (had a 2nd place finish in my class)...I found that my mower had so much power that I had a real hard time keeping the front end on the ground.

After looking at my seat height I realized it was way up there!! I ended up doing a few mods to the factory bracket and removing all the foam on the seat bottom. These mods gave me almost 2" drop in my butt height! I also moved my seat forward 2.5". I'm 6' tall and having the seat back just was so much more comfortable for my height...but that moved most of my weight right behind the axle...So now with the seat forward..it should help keep some more weight forward and the front end down!!!

The downside to moving the seat forward is that my pedals were almost impossible to use in a comfy and safe way. Also my DIGATRAON tach was now interfering with the newly contoured shifter......So.... I cut and welded up some new pedals this evening. They feel perfect!!! Had to move the tach to the steering wheel. overall feels great...my only concern is the seat back...While sitting on the mower, I feel to "FITTED" to the seat and wonder If I can even fall out if I wreck...I'm going to give it a run in a couple weeks at a test/tune/awards day for our LC. We will see how she does!!








I also went from a 1" tall foot guard to a 2" tall one.

Tom Fox       
Brookfield, CT

Offline Squidd

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Re: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD
« Reply #316 on: October 08, 2007, 09:20:39 pm »
You may find being "fitted" to the seat (being one with the mowchine) a much more relaxed feel as you can concentrate on driving rather than holding your butt in position..

Wouldn't worry about being "stuck" to the seat in an accident... Pretty sure you'll go flying...

Randy Stys
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Offline Tom Fox

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Re: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD
« Reply #317 on: October 09, 2007, 11:21:40 am »
You may find being "fitted" to the seat (being one with the mowchine) a much more relaxed feel as you can concentrate on driving rather than holding your butt in position..

Wouldn't worry about being "stuck" to the seat in an accident... Pretty sure you'll go flying...



You got a great point on feeling more with the machine. Just from the few test laps I did in the yard Ifelt so much more in control.

I was going to swap out for a lower back seat..But I like the security of my back being somewhat protected.
Tom Fox       
Brookfield, CT

Offline Chris

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Re: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD
« Reply #318 on: October 11, 2007, 08:08:12 am »
.
Well I've been meaning to LOWER the truck a bit...The truck has a 6" lift kit. So tonight I decided to lower it two inches. I was using a 6" block in the rear and just changed it out to a 4" one that I had. The truck is a 1/2 ton but when I put the lift in...8 years ago I changed out the 1/2 ton torsion bars for 1 ton bars. This gave me about an extra 2" of from lift...well as you guessed it..I put the 1/2 ton bars back in tonight as well.

Now the truck sits 2" lower and rides 10x better (not as stiff).

How did your IFS hold up with that? I'd imagine you went through a few CV boots at least having it cranked that much.

That's one nice trailer, I need to get myself one. I found out a few weeks ago that even with ramps it's VERY hard to get a mower in the back of my truck, and it's not even lifted that much; yet...

Just ended up putting it in with a tractor. Easy to get in, not so easy to get out!!
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Offline Tom Fox

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Re: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD
« Reply #319 on: October 11, 2007, 09:39:26 am »
How did your IFS hold up with that? I'd imagine you went through a few CV boots at least having it cranked that much.


I did over the years change both axles once. The biigest issue was the ride...rode like it had minimal suspension....all better now!!!
Tom Fox       
Brookfield, CT

Offline Chris

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Re: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD
« Reply #320 on: October 11, 2007, 09:41:24 am »
Yeah, when you crank or swap torsion bars it definitely takes you along for a ride! The problem is that it's really hard on the front suspension and driveaxles. Have you checked your ball joints at all? If you haven't, you really should. That's the part its the hardest on. I've seen some really bad things happen when a balljoint fails, and that looks like a nice shiny newer truck, and I wouldn't want to see one of your front tires go on vacation!!!


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Offline grassthrasher

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Re: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD
« Reply #321 on: October 12, 2007, 10:51:59 am »
I haven't bin on in a long time and wow it :censored: sick good job lots of new modifications looking good  :wow:
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Offline Tom Fox

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Re: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD
« Reply #322 on: October 12, 2007, 11:42:01 am »
I haven't bin on in a long time and wow it :censored: sick good job lots of new modifications looking good  :wow:

Thank you.....Took my time, followed ton of advice here on the forum, took some advice from my local chapter guys, and had fun building it!!
Tom Fox       
Brookfield, CT

Offline Tom Fox

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Re: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD
« Reply #323 on: November 24, 2007, 06:37:34 pm »
Well, gave her a run today. It was 27* outside but it felt great!!!

Tomorrow she goes up on the stands for the winter :(

Winter plans include:

New front spindles.
Front brakes.
Send my DIGITRON out for service (one segment dead)
Change my fuel tank for one that I can see thru instead of guessing how much fuel is left.
Drop my rear fender down another .500"
Redo my exhaust (2 into 1 instead of true dual)

I'll buy a few more spares parts and that should do it!!!
Tom Fox       
Brookfield, CT

Offline Tom Fox

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Re: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD
« Reply #324 on: December 08, 2007, 05:24:36 pm »
Out in the garage today!!!!

Today I rerouted my exhaust and changed it from a TRUE DUAL into a 2 INTO 1


My pipes from the heads run about 13-16" and are 1"
From there they merge together into a 2.5 pipe. This pipe is aprox 10" long.
From the end of the 2.5" pipe I welded on a 3" diameter 45* turn out pipe.

The 2.5 and 3" pipe were massaged into an OVAL shape to gain much needed ground clearance.






The vise grip will be removed!! :)

Tom Fox       
Brookfield, CT

Offline Mike Gentry

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Re: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD
« Reply #325 on: December 08, 2007, 05:29:57 pm »
I like the exhaust n all , but that new style VISE GRIP EXHAUST CLAMP really caught my eye  :lol: Ill have me one of those  :D

Looks really nice , good work
Mike Gentry #M17 / FXT
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Offline Tom Fox

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Re: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD UPDATED 12-8-07
« Reply #326 on: December 10, 2007, 08:55:30 pm »
Fired it up today.......I only ran it up on the work table....but what a different sound!!! I thought I liked the way true duals sounded before..............this monster sounds better than a NEXTEL CUP CAR!

Can't wait to give her a run!!!
Tom Fox       
Brookfield, CT

Offline George Herrin

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Re: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD UPDATED 12-8-07
« Reply #327 on: December 10, 2007, 10:57:32 pm »
I know my exhausts systems.... As good as it sounds it will run that much better TOO!!!
George Herrin #6
Indian Power.. You gotta Go big to beat em or Go HOME
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Offline mowerman90

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Re: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD UPDATED 12-8-07
« Reply #328 on: December 18, 2007, 09:13:39 pm »
that is a sweet exhaust set up i like the oval shape it looks like a mustange with side pipes

Offline Tom Fox

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Re: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD UPDATED 12-8-07
« Reply #329 on: December 19, 2007, 06:03:00 am »
that is a sweet exhaust set up i like the oval shape it looks like a mustange with side pipes

Turned out nicer than I thought myself! And like I said.....the tone is AWESOME!!!
Tom Fox       
Brookfield, CT