Restoring My 84 John Deere 420

   / Restoring My 84 John Deere 420 #1  

OutbackL130

Silver Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2013
Messages
197
Location
chickamauga
Tractor
L130, 420
This jd 420 is my first real tractor which I recently picked up with hopes of restoring.

So far I've stripped the tractor down to the frame, wire wheeled the rust off, rattle can painted everything. I replaced the choke and throttle cables, new head light lens and tail lights. I still have to fix the brakes, bolt the rear body, install seat, replace stickers, restore the 60" deck and fix the power steering and hydro pump leak.
After 30 years of abuse and jimmy rigging the tractor was in rough shape. The hydro filler tube was disconnected at the housing, the sight glass and tubing was missing, even the grille fell off as I loaded the tractor onto my trailer. Brake springs were missing, engine roared like a stock car with the wrong muffler which wasnt even hooked up, wiring was a birds nest with exposed wires and half the bolts were missing. Apparently whenever someone worked on this tractor they didn't bother with putting the bolts back in they'd just throw them away! lol The most tedious part of this process so far was figuring out all the right bolts and hardware.

I want to build a front end loader which is partly why I decided on this tractor. As soon as I'm finished with the resoration and get caught up on work around the shop, then I'll start on the FEL.

Here are some pics of the progress.

pnna.jpg

0ez2.jpg

7qst.jpg


I had to hammer and reshape the body panel as they were all bent out of wack. I also took this opportunity to weld the parts that were cracked and grind them smooth.
bcel.jpg


Redneck spray booth and hangers.
mnfi.jpg


Spraying the frame
u1hn.jpg


6mc2.jpg


ea83.jpg


bxzr.jpg


ek8h.jpg



More pics to come!
 
Last edited:
   / Restoring My 84 John Deere 420 #2  
Very nice! That's a lot of work.
 
   / Restoring My 84 John Deere 420 #3  
Looks good. Bet it's going to be a lot of fun to drive once you finish!!!

Eddie
 
   / Restoring My 84 John Deere 420
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Thanks! I took the 420 for the first spin yesterday with no seat mounted or anything. Just holding on and doing donuts in the gravel! I was so happy to see it running.


This is where I'm at with it now. Waiting on the new seal and o ring to come so I can fix the pump leak. Then will finish reassembling everything. I dont have the spacers to mount the body so I'm going to cut some out. Also I need to fabricate a new seat slider bracket as the knobs were frozen to the old seat and I had to cut it to get the seat off the body.

94ph.jpg
 
   / Restoring My 84 John Deere 420
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Just a few updated pics of my tractor. I have some new super lug tires for the rear. Since these pics were taken I have also installed a 3 point hitch to use with my 4' box scraper. Next project for it will be a front end loader.

p3yb.jpg

ws29.jpg

ga7o.jpg

aimv.jpg

cqll.jpg
 
   / Restoring My 84 John Deere 420 #6  
VERY nice job, you put in a lot of work!
 
   / Restoring My 84 John Deere 420 #8  
Great job. Post up some pics of the 3 pt and new tires when you get them installed.
 
   / Restoring My 84 John Deere 420 #9  
My Son has one of these. The original engine was worn out beyond repair. He installed a V-twin Honda engine. Has a 60" heavy duty mmm. That thing will mow how ever fast you can stay in the seat!!!! He has 3pt and built a front snow blade. Those old tractors are getting harder to find. Glad to see you saved one!!!
 
   / Restoring My 84 John Deere 420 #10  
Looks great
 

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