A tale of two Dingo's

[Whitetrashrocker]

It starts with having 5 acres around the house and a lot of dirt. Quads and dirtbikes are fun but I just wanted a yard bomber. And besides I have big toys to go play with.

So I found this kart of FB locally.
I looked it over and told him it needed a ton of work. Carb was open, bowl off and rusted,screws in a coffee can.
With a makeshift pull rope, I guessed it had some compression. Didn't check for spark.

I had seen $120 for a 212. So for that price I really didn't care if the engine ran or not.

There were obvious cage bars missing and I made the point but didn't care. Some pipe and a welder can fix that.
The frame was cracked, and the tires were dry rotted.
But at least the brakes were all there.
For a project I knew I was in for, it seemed like a good deal.
Good bye to a U.S.Grant and hello fun.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

So I started stripping it down for new paint and part replace as nesesary.

Had to weld both sides, frame to front axle. Behind the porch. By design of the frame I have a feeling I'm going to be doing this a few more times.... Sorry no pics.

Gave it a nice coat of spray on bed liner paint. I figured it might stand up a little better to my terrain. Rocks.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Let me back track a little.
That rear axle design is horrible. You have to thread the axle through all your accessories from one side to the other. To bad it can't just drop out the bottom as one whole assembly.

 

[Hellion]

This is also not your average 285/286 Dingo. This one is different in quite a few ways. Carry on... Oh yeah, where's #2?

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

So I found a frame crack picture for the masses.

Also this is how the carb came to my possession. The bowl was off and the float pin and needle were missing along with the main jet.

Good thing I had an old round slide Micuni laying around.
I made an intake manifold out of a large washer and a piece of pipe. Welded together and turned the pipe to fit the carb. Pics to follow. I promise.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

The plastic top mounted gas tank was in bad shape and didn't hold gas. Well crap. Time to get creative.

Found an old aviation oxygen tank and a light went off! There's my tank. Now for a fill cap and a drain bung.

Dug around and found a beat up saginaw power steering pump. Perfect. Some hacking and welding. A pipe fitting and some more bedliner and voilà, a fuel tank.

 

[Eric87]

Looking good

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Keep the updates coming.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

This is also not your average 285/286 Dingo. This one is different in quite a few ways. Carry on... Oh yeah, where's #2?

Number 2 is coming soon. Hold your horses.

So what is the difference between the 285, 286 and this one?

Thanks for following and if there's any questions, please feel free to ask. I'll share what I know also.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Here's a better picture of the intake I made.

First I turned the pipe down to the size that fit the collar on the carb.
Then I tacked the pipe to the washer and then welded the inside all around and did most of the outer side but left gaps where the bolts were going to go for head/tool clearance. Then machined the flat side down for a perfect fit.

The air filter was a generic one I found at the store. It just so happened that a 1" threaded pipe coupling fit snug in the filter and was the exact size if the carb. A small ring out of gasket paper and some screw clamps.

Intake done.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

I hate when people let things sit. All four front wheel bearings, two on the jack shaft and the two axle bearings set me back about $100.
Some were froze real bad and the rest were pitted. Nothing too interesting here.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Alright time for an engine check.
Fuel in new tank, new hose and shutoff, (still need to get a filter) carb set to stock settings, running stock exhaust for now, clean spark plug and I'm ready right?

Never so easy.
No battery. It has a starter but the gear is missing. Ordered a gear. But I want to hear this pig roar!

Tried a quickly made pull rope. Not enough spin to get it running. Keep in mind the new carb and I have no idea where it's supposed to be set. Close only works in horse shoes and hand grenades.

Here I go getting creative again....

 

[Hellion]

So what is the difference between the 285, 286 and this one?

-Narrow steering wheel brace.
-Extra framing around the rear axle like you were griping about (mine just has a skid plate under the sprocket).
-Extra metal under the seat.
-Non-suspended front spindles.
-Yours has the exalted tow hitch if I'm not mistaken.
-Might be a longer frame.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

Here's the only sticker it still had. I got the dingo but it took a while to realize it said dingo IX.

9hp engine I assume.

And yes there is a trailer hitch. Don't know why you would want a hitch? It's not a yard tractor.

But I have thought about dragging a section of chain link fence. Race around and groom at the same time.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

So now armed with my race ready electric starter, I get the engine to cough and sputter to life.
Now I can finally dial the carb in. It took a few tries to get it but boy does this thing move. I clocked it with my phone GPS at 35mph. I know I can get better than that!

But these rear tires are slick and one has a hole large enough I can stick a 3/8 bolt in it. Tubeless type rims and full of old fix a flat. Nasty.

I need tires.
Debated about sticking with the 18 inch size that was already on there or go back to the stock 22 inch. I knew this would affect the final gear ratio and I wanted a tire frier. So I decided to stick with the 18 inch.

Tread pattern was also a concern. Turf tires are a not aggressive enough but the knobbies were expensive.

I found a compromise at Walmart and had the lowest price at 44 bux each. We'll see how long they last.

Here's pics of old and new. See the bolt I stuck in the old one? Lol.

The bead breaker has been used a million times. I think my grandpa made it and has served the farm well.

Pic is a mock up for the sake of pics.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

So now a rolling chassis and a running engine. I got the torque converter all cleaned up and polished the belt faces with a 3m brillo pad on the air tools. Attached new chain and set the tention.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

One last thing.

SAFETY FIRST!!!
install kill switch.

My starter gear came in and I rewired the whole cart.
I don't need this key switch, don't have the key anyway.
Made it easy. Coil ground is on the steering wheel. Push button works the starter and the toggle works the headlight. The tail light never go put back on. Whoopee.

Had to make a few cover plates for the electrical box but again no biggie.

 

[Eric87]

Looks like your getting close . I have the same kart waiting to be put back together.

 

[Eric87]

I know you rewired the whole kart but just in case.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

It's pretty simple.
Thanks for the chart! That might be helpful to someone else following this.