1604 rear end swap what will fit ?

[clint]

I have been using my 1604 around the house some, and the more I use it the more I like it. I have been thinking some, and that of course is dangerous LOL.. Will any of the heavy duty type rear axle/transmissions fit into my 1604 ? I have a older 128 for parts and thinking of using it to swap the rear axle/transmission clutch drive unit into my 1604. I have read the 1604 the same as a 582 special, my 1604 has a peerless type transmission with a outstanding B&S 16 HP engine.

If this garden tractor had a good rear end/transmission in it I would not hesitate to call it one of the better cub cadets I have owned!! I like the frame, the engine etc, and it's in great shape, and no problems yet with the rear end.. but then again I'm afraid it to use it as a real garden tractor.

Any info would be helpful as very little info found searching the web. What frame is the 1604 compared to more well known models ? also I have a lathe, and some shop tools so I could make or modify parts needed to a point.

Thanks, clint

[CADplans]

I read this swap on some website (?? the brain is going, can't find it now!!).

I want to do it also as I just acquired a 1604, mine has a 12 Kohler.

My interest in doing this is so I can get that 90 degree gear box and try to make a rear PTO out of it.

What I had read, it is just a "wrench required" swap, no machining necessary.

[clint]

That wrench required swap sounds outstanding !! However the one part I was thinking about when talking about adapter is the driveshaft to flywheel adapter, not sure exactly how it is in the B&S verses the Kohler.

I had not thought about the 90* gearbox I may sell the rear complete if I can make the change without any problems. If you can find that website/page I would love to see it.

[Matt G.]

All you need is any CI gear drive rear and the clutch out of a 582.

The 582 has the same engine, which is not that great, IMO. Aluminum cylinders, splash lube, anemic charging system, overly complex and really stupid carb, complex governor linkage, bad starter design, and more. I had one and hated it...I had less trouble with all of the Kohler twins I had COMBINED than I did with that #$! B&S twin...

[clint]

Thanks for the info Matt, I will however have to disagree with you on the B&S and compared to that of the same era KT 17 series 1 well the same could be said and much worse, however having a KT 17 series II I know what they also can be.

Clutch out of a 582 I'm going to look it up I assume this would fit in with no mods, however having the complete clutch drive shaft etc from a 128 may be where I have to start at least putting it together in my head.

Also Matt are you the one who has already done this swap ? if so I would love to see some pics, etc..

Thanks, Clint

[Matt G.]

I did this once, but sold that particular tractor. There are pictures on my website of my 582 which was built from parts.

You will need the 582 clutch and driveshaft, as the clutch hanger and throwout arm are completely different between those models, as well as the 3-pin driver.