The Red one I always wanted

jaynjeep · #1 05-02-2018, 10:44 PM

Well here goes guys... I finally pushed one of the 782's that I picked up last summer in the corner of the shop. I got tired of seeing it withering away in the weather. I picked the back corner of the old part of the shop.. figured I'd have to see it everyday and maybe that would motivate me to work on it a little more. This tractor will probably live here for a while!

Here is the plan: A really nice 782 with some modern upgrades. Upgrades to include.. a full rebuild of all the mechanicals.. addition of power steering, a super steer axle from a cyclops, A low hour CH18 V twin, an 1864 CV driveshaft. Maybe a 3 point and dual spool hydraulics.. verdict is still out on the latter. My plan is to make it really nice but still use it.. Basically I want an 1864 in the skin of a 782.

But.. you guys will have to bear with me.. this won't be quick.. I run my own business and work 60 plus hours a week... along with a wife and family I don't get much cub time!

The tractor I'm starting with: November 1980 IH built 782. Somebody already started a Mag 18 conversion and didn't get very far.. left it all botched up and unfinished. The tractor is pretty straight and clean. You can tell somebody cared for it at one time by the service stickers under the hood and the info written in Sharpie under the hood. One thing I don't quite know about?

Written under the hood is "New in 1983". The tractor was built in late 1980? Where did it sit for 2 years?

I hope to document this one... maybe I won't get lazy with the write ups and pictures!

I've always wanted a nice Red one since I walked in the front door at the IH dealer in 1980 as a kid... It was love at first sight!!

DieselDoctor · #2 05-02-2018, 10:53 PM

Great starting point Jay. Looks like a clean example of a highly sought after model. Red too! I like the sounds of your plan, keep us posted!

jaynjeep · #3 05-02-2018, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselDoctor

Great starting point Jay. Looks like a clean example of a highly sought after model. Red too! I like the sounds of your plan, keep us posted!

Thanks Doc! I wouldn't exactly call this tractor clean.. but at least it's not all beat up.

It's been cobbled enough in the past that I don't feel too bad about modifying it. Dad has the 782 that I sat on in the dealership in 1980.. I wouldn't dare modify it...

But I figure I will stay tasteful on the mods.. everything will look like IH could have built it.. I want to build the tractor that IH should have built!

ol'George · #4 05-03-2018, 09:00 AM

Since the mag 18 is a bolt in, what is hacked up about it?
All that needs done is a couple of wires changed, I wouldn't call that hacked up.

Nothing sounds better than the sweet purr of a
double breasted opposed twin.

farmall fred · #5 05-03-2018, 10:07 AM

Jay. looks like a great tractor for your planned upgrades. I have an early 782 that I have done the same mods to. I installed a command 20 V twin. super steer axle and power steering. My next mod is the rear fuel tank and fenders from an 1864. I also have a dual hyd valve for it. Mine is a very great driving and mowing tractor. You will love it when done. The great looks of the IH built tractor and the updates of the 1864. I would really like to install the tilt steering from a 1864 some day also. Please keep us updated on your progress.

dodge trucker · #6 05-03-2018, 10:41 AM

looks like it had an engine transplant already before the Mag.... in about 1993? is there an hour meter on this thing? curious how many hours were gotten out of the KT's.... I have a Ser II in an orange tractor with many more hours on it than these engines were ever supposed to give, and still runs great... and I have a Ser I that I am going to experiment with and see how much "goody" it has left to give, just because I can....

jaynjeep · #7 05-03-2018, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmall fred

Jay. looks like a great tractor for your planned upgrades. I have an early 782 that I have done the same mods to. I installed a command 20 V twin. super steer axle and power steering. My next mod is the rear fuel tank and fenders from an 1864. I also have a dual hyd valve for it. Mine is a very great driving and mowing tractor. You will love it when done. The great looks of the IH built tractor and the updates of the 1864. I would really like to install the tilt steering from a 1864 some day also. Please keep us updated on your progress.

Thanks for the compliments! I had thought about the tilt steering.. just haven't quite figured that out yet.. I absolutely enjoyed following your build on the 28hp fuel inj kohler tractor last year.. it was flawless!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodge trucker

looks like it had an engine transplant already before the Mag.... in about 1993? is there an hour meter on this thing? curious how many hours were gotten out of the KT's.... I have a Ser II in an orange tractor with many more hours on it than these engines were ever supposed to give, and still runs great... and I have a Ser I that I am going to experiment with and see how much "goody" it has left to give, just because I can....

It apparently had a new engine in 1993 but that engine is gone.. I know nothing about this tractor.. hour meter shows about 950 something hours.. I still have a Series I 782 that has never been touched.. has over 1000 hours on it and still runs great. but the guy maintained and babied it for it's whole life. So they can last.. but most didn't

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry C

A very worthwhile project! Let the fun begin.

Thanks Terry!

This will be a fun build if I ever get time!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cub Cadet 123

Going to be a great project for you....to keep you out of trouble and the vices!!

You certainly chose a really neat cub to undertake. This is going to work out to be one of your finest tractors yet!! Looking forward to seeing future posts about your work.

Cub Cadet 123

Thank you! I hope it turns out as nice as I want it to!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oak

Looks great Jay and i like your dead Cub mover too. Now all you need is one of those red ones with the muffler hanging out the side of it.

Todd, We can't live without that dead cub mover... it serves daily at the shop but it's usually moving dead Jeeps!

Don't think I haven't looked for a red one with the big muffler hanging out!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLause

That will be one nice tractor. That is exactly like the one I got. I love it.

I remember you have a 782 with most of these mods.. yours looks awesome.. I hope mine turns out half as good!

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkminion_17

Good luck on your new project Jay!

Thanks Lew! hopefully it wears your power steering setup soon!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by john hall

Well, you turn any wrenches yet??

John.. just a few tonite... didn't take long to scatter.. one bolt in the hood.. one in the engine plate.. none in the driveshaft.. one in the fuel tank.. this guy was getting nowhere fast!!

jaynjeep · #8 05-03-2018, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ol'George

Since the mag 18 is a bolt in, what is hacked up about it?
All that needs done is a couple of wires changed, I wouldn't call that hacked up.

Nothing sounds better than the sweet purr of a
double breasted opposed twin.

George,

I couldn't agree with you more.. the ole opposed twins have a sound of their own.. and plenty of grunt to go with the sound. I have one with the original series I engine that is still kickin and I have a Mag 18 with 1500 hours on it.. still strong somehow!

This Mag 18 came out of a Snapper... they guy chunked the KT17 before he got half the crap off of it.. wrong flywheel adapter, half the shrouding missing, wrong muffler etc.. Three bolts holding it all together, and none of them were tight.. that's why I called it a hack job.. If I didn't have a complete low hour engine from an 1864 I would finish the Mag conversion