The Mule

karl

Well-known member
Messages
2,363
Reaction score
546
Location
North east Ohio
The price of utility vehicles and golf carts are dumb. No thanks.

Build own. Sub $300. Full suspension, rack and pinion steering, hydraulic brakes, electric start, led lights, cargo bed, winch, stereo, the works. Mint.

Many prior mower parts, mower crate steel, welding, and ex-snowblower/ walk behind blower? propulsion. All the square tubing is wheel chocks for zero turns.

Also saved this motor/ radiator mount off a cat diesel powered IS4500? ferris commercial mower cause I thunk id make a
great pushbar/grill thing, complete with two light mounts and slit for the hazard fraught winch cable.
 

Attachments

  • 20201127_164031 (2).jpg
    20201127_164031 (2).jpg
    2.1 MB · Views: 16
  • 20201129_193555.jpg
    20201129_193555.jpg
    2.5 MB · Views: 15
  • 20201129_193330.jpg
    20201129_193330.jpg
    3.2 MB · Views: 13
  • 20201129_215806.jpg
    20201129_215806.jpg
    3.7 MB · Views: 13
  • 20201129_215641.jpg
    20201129_215641.jpg
    3 MB · Views: 14
  • 20201129_215621.jpg
    20201129_215621.jpg
    2.8 MB · Views: 13
  • 20201129_222110.jpg
    20201129_222110.jpg
    4.7 MB · Views: 16

karl

Well-known member
Messages
2,363
Reaction score
546
Location
North east Ohio
This is going to be a good one! :thumbsup:
Thanks, I hope so!

Thinking of using a tecumseh 358cc 11hp flathead , that I spiced up. It has a 96 watt charge coil . And a 12v starter.
Or if I can find another starter/ flywheel/ coil for this briggs intek 8hp I/C, Id use it. Pushed a valve guide, bent pushrods, ect. But I got a head
and parts to fix.
 

Attachments

  • 20201130_004448.jpg
    20201130_004448.jpg
    3.7 MB · Views: 9
  • 20201130_004536.jpg
    20201130_004536.jpg
    3.6 MB · Views: 8

vpd66

Active member
Messages
187
Reaction score
33
Location
Wisconsin
I'm looking forward to this one too. I can't believe there isn't more UTV/ATV/utillty type vehicles being built. With the cost of UTVs and the raise in popularity you think there would be more home built on the internet.
 

karl

Well-known member
Messages
2,363
Reaction score
546
Location
North east Ohio
I'm looking forward to this one too. I can't believe there isn't more UTV/ATV/utillty type vehicles being built. With the cost of UTVs and the raise in popularity you think there would be more home built on the internet.
You'd think. I would never finance an off road vehicle. It does not need win any races, just putt around reliably.

Not much progress, in one day went from pouring rain, and water getting in the garage, to no power and well over a foot of snow. So no welding, for 2? Days. But I did find a practically matching set of seat adjustable slider rails, for maximum luxury, and the convenience of both driver and passenger. Living fancy.
 

Attachments

  • 20201130_211107.jpg
    20201130_211107.jpg
    4.4 MB · Views: 12

Gasteffens

Member
Messages
90
Reaction score
25
Location
Morris, IL, USA
This has some awesome potential, I love how so much is recycled/repurposed. I agree, the prices of these types of vehicles new is crazy. If you have the time and means to build one, more power to ya. I'll keep an eye on this build for sure! (y)(y)
 

karl

Well-known member
Messages
2,363
Reaction score
546
Location
North east Ohio
Thanks guys, I have not made any progress due to lack of material.

But, that changed this morning.

The round tubing I started the frame with, was acquired from the hardware store I frequented. I bought the
last few 10' sticks, as they started to carry regular water pipe instead.

Well yesterday I stopped by to check out their new building, and noticed
the same welded seam tubing was back.

So I fired up the ol ford, and picked up 40' so the build can continue.
Only costed $57.
 

Attachments

  • 20210328_103622.jpg
    20210328_103622.jpg
    2.9 MB · Views: 10
  • 20210328_110002.jpg
    20210328_110002.jpg
    1.1 MB · Views: 10

karl

Well-known member
Messages
2,363
Reaction score
546
Location
North east Ohio
That must be a nice smooth riding truck! LOL Back when trucks were trucks!
Smooth.... :ROFLMAO:

Front end next.

Finally made use of a squirrel cage given to me, she move some volume.
 

Attachments

  • 20210410_213537.jpg
    20210410_213537.jpg
    4.2 MB · Views: 8
  • 20210410_213442.jpg
    20210410_213442.jpg
    3 MB · Views: 7
  • 20210411_161854.jpg
    20210411_161854.jpg
    6 MB · Views: 5
  • 20210411_161837.jpg
    20210411_161837.jpg
    6.1 MB · Views: 8

karl

Well-known member
Messages
2,363
Reaction score
546
Location
North east Ohio
Ran out of tube, time to call it a day. Probably pick up another 30' .

Also need 1/2" hardware for the front bumper. Currently 100" end to end, or 2.54 Meters.
The bumper will add 6'' .
 

Attachments

  • 20210411_183938.jpg
    20210411_183938.jpg
    2.9 MB · Views: 8
  • 20210411_215448.jpg
    20210411_215448.jpg
    2.9 MB · Views: 8

vpd66

Active member
Messages
187
Reaction score
33
Location
Wisconsin
I like where your going with this project. What are you going to use for a transmission? Will it be 4 wheel drive? I still can't believe there isn't more people building UTV style machines?
 

Dingocat

Broke
Messages
722
Reaction score
159
Location
NE Ohio
Might have to go check that place out, close enough to warrent a drive out there sometime.
Is a "spiced up" 11hp going to be enough for something that size? I'd imagine it'll be pretty heavy.
 

karl

Well-known member
Messages
2,363
Reaction score
546
Location
North east Ohio
What are you going to use for a transmission? Will it be 4 wheel drive?
Is a "spiced up" 11hp going to be enough for something that size? I'd imagine it'll be pretty heavy.
Ok, The inital plan was to couple a 8-11hp motor to a 30 series TC, mounted on a FNR gearbox from my mud mower.

From the FNR, there will/would be a jackshaft for extra reduction, as you said, it's gonna be quite heavy.

This would limit the top speed/ gear ratio to around 25mph tops, to still have enough torque.

No 4x4 , quite complex for this project's scope, and I won't really need it where I will drive it.

Reverse for this build is important, so that is my reasoning for the drivetrain choices.

If I use a bigger engine , I would at least need a 40 series clutch, and the FNR box I have becomes
inadequate.

If I can find a better reverse solution, I got a neat powerplant or two . ill snap a pic later.

Might have to go check that place out, close enough to warrent a drive out there sometime.
It's an epic store, nothing else like it around. They have a sign that say's "If we don't have it, you don't need it".
Clothing, plumbing, electrical, hardware, steel, welding, automotive, lawncare, tools, machining tooling , everything
and more under one roof.

Ill be back there sunday, if ya see the ol ford, you know what's up.
 

karl

Well-known member
Messages
2,363
Reaction score
546
Location
North east Ohio
I still can't believe there isn't more people building UTV style machines?
Im only 23, but I'm already wanting something more easy going, like with suspension and such LOL.

I don't get it. This build should last several hundred+ hours. Most hot rod go karts wont last 50.
And it will be enjoyed practically daily. Even my V-twin kart will go a few hundred and smoke most in a drag.

Id like to use a more powerful engine, so I can gear 30-40mph with ample torque.

Honorable mentions include a Kawasaki FD620D Liquid cooled 18.8hp V-twin, 16hp Kubota D640 3-cyl diesel ,
or I can always smack a Kohler Command or Briggs opposed twin in, reverse pending.
 

Attachments

  • 20210413_201157.jpg
    20210413_201157.jpg
    2.9 MB · Views: 3
  • 20210413_201215.jpg
    20210413_201215.jpg
    2.8 MB · Views: 3
  • 20210413_201702.jpg
    20210413_201702.jpg
    4.5 MB · Views: 3
  • 20210413_201948.jpg
    20210413_201948.jpg
    4.5 MB · Views: 3
  • 20210413_203857.jpg
    20210413_203857.jpg
    4.5 MB · Views: 3

vpd66

Active member
Messages
187
Reaction score
33
Location
Wisconsin
Have you ever thought about using a 5 speed transaxle out of a small FWD car (Geo Metro comes to mind). Mount your secondary clutch to the input shaft and side mount the engine. I've seen this done quite a few times and the transaxles are fairly lightweight (I haven't weighed one but have handled plenty of them I'd guess 65lbs.). That would give you 5 forward speeds and 1 reverse and should help get your gearing down nice and low. Check out "Robot Cantina" on YouTube. This guy put a 212 Predator in a Honda Insight and now has upgraded it to a 420. He gives a lot of detail on how he mounted the Predator engine to the Honda Transaxle.
 
Top