97 JD Gator

[Stephen G]

I picked up a 1997 Gator 4x2. Has fe290d in good shape. Drive clutches need rebuilt though.
Been trying like hell to remove the secondary drive. Cant even get the bolt loose. Going to try mapp gas to heat bolt up.
Primary isnt releasing on idle, hoping just needs a cleaning from sitting for who knows how long.

If you have any experience with the JD Gators, especially older 1s I'd love to hear about it.

 

[Stephen G]

So far
Rebuilt front end, fabricated new front fenders from 10 gauge studs, old folding chair, bed frame, roof flashing and cheapest fender flares I could on Amazon?? $ 50.
Sand blast bed and repaint JD green with Herculiner. Turn,Brake & running lights on tail gate.
New axel bearings both sides.
Amazon flash sale on stubby bumper which as it turned out fits WHO KNEW?? lmao
LED H/L beam headlamps, electronic tach & fuel gauge, digital voltage monitor, cigarette lighter plug , bed cargo lights, glove box light, floor light.
Rebuilt primary drive, replaced 2ndry drive.

 

[Stephen G]

Fuse panel with separate system for all additions.
Next is external battery box passenger side

 

[Stephen G]

Stubby bumper bolted on for function testing.

 

[Stephen G]

Putting HO red led floods up front to aid in dispatching hogs and such and a BSS360PM mount

 

[Stephen G]

Got last fender metal shaped up. Made from old folding chair seat

 

[Hvymax]

Built not Bought is great across the board.

 

[Stephen G]

Thats just sitting there, its not attached/finished. It will look liads better when complete.
Considering JD wants $1k for 2 fenders and hood. Plus I have nothing but time and alot of junk to oull from lmao
After pricing out what it would cost to go OEM it wasnt even a question. Even adding the cost of tools like a flanger and plasma cutter amoung other things . I will be way under. Hell factory headlight ( MADE IN CHINA) is $120 for 1. No socket or lamp. I didnt pay that for both my LED H/L headlights, switch and wiring.
OEM front bearings were around 50 a side, cross referenced and got Timken bearings for 50 all 4.
The kingpin bushings have been the only responsible priced item. Think $15 a side. Bolt ( no nut) oem $45. Luckly the bolts are just fine.
JD really has gone insane. I got all 4 tires with a higher load rating and 6 ply for what they quoted me for 2 front tires.

Managed to get a couple days warm enough weather to prime &

spray the hood. The dog is looking for any nuts or bolts I may have dropped. He's swallowed close to a dozen. Reminds me of that kid in school who ate his boogers and chewed the paint off the walls

 

[Stephen G]

Seals for transaxle will be in next week. Figured to replace output shaft bearings while I have it opened up.

 

[Stephen G]

Should you ever find yourself in need of a part # for a 25 yr old Gator because the postit note they put on there came off sometime in last couple decades.
Look under steering & Brakes. Thats where John Deere thinks the transaxle output shaft plate, bearings, seals

should be. Not with ya know, the freaking transaxle shaft. WTF!!!

 

[Stephen G]

New seals and bearings for transaxle, new bearings for axles.
Impossible to do with transaxle in place.
Will be putting it back together this week.
John Deere should hang thier head in shame for their buisness practices. They can start with post it notes on modified to proprietary components instead of serial # ecthed/stamped.
But its done, so maybe it'll last another 30 years.

 

[Stephen G]

Brake adjustment on this thing is an odd duck indeed. Drum brakes on a posi rearend in my Dodge Demon is breeze. JS
Mechanically Im done( hope)
Now to finish electric. Independent flasher relays for front LED turn signals- rears are internal, so no go on a single relay.
IR floods on the way with external battery mount.

Might work on some kind of pulley or roller to allow use of front winch to load the bodies up in bed. Thinking a boat trailer roller on bed backboard errrrr???
Crap I still need to mount the folding windshield.

 

[Stephen G]

 

[Stephen G]

I dont leave the $200 battery in it, plus I wanted to make sure it had full charge. Running IR flood lights for the NV and a fan off the Gator.
I do like my little cart, right proud of myself. Now if I could just get the dog to ride back there instead of the passenger seat/ hood Id be set

 

[Stephen G]

 

[Racer88]

View attachment 23203

This is MINE!