Squatch. GREAT reply....and thanks for taking the time to do it. I share your views completely. After looking into the purchase of a new 3000 series Cub, it was obvious that, for a lot less money, I could get a old Super GT in decent shape, build it to my needs, and make it pristine. Glad to know I'm not the only person who thinks like this.

Ain't that the truth. The ease at which these guys make things look is what made me think that I TOO could do it. Boy was I wrong....WAY WRONG:bash2:

One thing I didn't hit on last post. Recupeing your costs. Simply put you won't. Not if you sell it anyway. If you sell you won't get the money you have in parts let alone any time you have invested. Most folks don't value someone elses labor. If you keep it for years to use then it's a sound investment. This goes for all my rehab projects. Cars, boats, tractors. Couldn't sell any of them for the parts money I have in them as soon as they are completed and not even used yet. It cost me about $7,500 to rehab my boat. A new equal is about $21k. But if I had to sell it I'd be lucky to get $5k.

Here are a couple of more teasers. I'm beginning to think of this as the "rat rod cub". The plan for now is satin black frame, wheels, axles, grill. All sheet metal except the dash will be late model cub yellow along with certain brackets:rear panel with black hitch, pedals, power steering ram, and bracket for the ram. I told you the purists would cringe.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...011Small-1.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re014Small.jpg

Brush painted frame. I had the back already and it's durable and easy to touch up. I use it on lot's of stuff so always have some around when needed.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re015Small.jpg

I have an 1882 and I totally agree with you. Matter of fact I agree with your whole statement. Nice comment!:beerchug:

squatch, you couldnt have said it any better. My three cubs have costed me an arm and a leg to keep running but you should see the expressions on the neighbors faces when I bring them out,its priceless!! Last week on my way to work some guy had a newer craftsman tractor in his front yard for sale for 350,had to laugh but if it was an old cub I would have to stop and buy it

I know I have small fortune in my 982 but when I take it to shows, it's really nice to see all the people stop and check it out. It ended up being one of the main attractions at the last 2 shows I took it to.

AJ

I've been steady cleaning and priming. Most everything that is going to be painted that attaches to the frame has been cleaned and primed at least if not the 1st coat of paint. Still have the sheet metal to go but that comes later.

Front axle and hydro/trans on the bench before cleaning.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re018Small.jpg

Can you tell I've got an oil leak? This was clean a year ago.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re019Small.jpg

These parts will soon be replaced with rod ends like Scott did on his. "Scott when I disassembled the center link I could see no real wear on that pin but mine is a bit sloppy as well. I'm thinking they may just be that way".
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re020Small.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re021Small.jpg

Some cleaned parts. I didn't remove every last speck of paint if it was stuck well and no rust it stayed put.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re030Small.jpg

Front end parts cleaned. When I pulled the spindles I found on the Power steering side that both bushings were at the bottom of the spindle hole in the axle. They are supposed to be one on top and one on the bottom. No wonder it was sloppy. They were well worn as well.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re031Small.jpg

Clean front axle. The rust is gone. What you see in the pic is dust still sitting prior to solvent wipe down.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re033Small.jpg

Here is an even better shot.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re038Small.jpg

My garage now looks like the work shop of a mad puppeteer with all the parts hanging on strings.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re039Small.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re037Small.jpg

This is the old rock shaft mower lift. See the wear grooves in the pins? I had these filled with weld on the replacement and filed them smooth. Not perfect but much more substantial than before.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re035Small.jpg

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re036Small.jpg

And here is the part that started this whole mess. My replacement rock shaft for the one I broke last winter.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...re040Small.jpg

I hope you enjoy my pics. And maybe they will come in useful to somebody as a reference on their project.

Yep...on the pivot...I was thinking of getting couple of machine shims just to take up the slop a bit.

Yeah I always appreciate pics...but....ahhh...what's taking ya so long?:)

Scott

Nothing seems to go fast around here. Too much else going on. Work, life, had to get the other tractor running to mow with while this is apart, mowing. Came out of work the other day to find the front of my truck on the ground. HD torsion bar (front spring) with 20k miles on it just snapped! Been dealing with that. Keeping all the other junk running. Trying to get a work out bike ride in after work. just the usual! The cub is just one more ball that I'm juggling!