[denniscary]

Ok this should get you guys talking. I have a 400 and have always liked the looks of the 430. Has anyone ever tried to put the hood and grill off a 430 on another tractor to get the long hood look? I know this sounds dumb, but hey I like the long hood.

 

[knottyrope]

would have to extend the frame to do it possibly

 

[denniscary]

I am ok with that.but from what I see that is about it.

 

[trapperjohn]

That's a interesting idea and I'm sure it is doable, but why not go all the way and change the fender pan as well. You will have storage in that extra space up front.

 

[denniscary]

Fender pan might be a good idea. I am hoping someone has already done this.

 

[mikeduwe]

With enough time, money, creativity and skill anything can be done, or with a big hammer and a torch anything can be ruined...

 

[dd57chevy]

OK , I've been known to state the obvious & get my face torn off......is there a reason you don't trade for or buy an actual 430 ??? I know they are expensive , but....

Believe it or not , I don't like to throw negativity at someone who is creative , we actually need more outside the box "thinking" .

It just seems like you would be getting a disadvantage of the 430's , ie: the protruding front end , w/out getting the advantages .

JMO , no offense intended .

 

[ajcan]

I agree with Dave on this one.
The amount of work/time/labor/money it may be better to just get a 430.
Of course it is easy for me to say this as it is not my money.LOL.

AJ

 

[denniscary]

No offense taken. I Am just thinking out loud. Money is the reason I don't trade up none other. If you know some one willing to trade a 430 for a 400 I sure want to talk to them. I don't know that I will make any changes to my 400 to make it like a430 but I sure do like thinking about it. But I do like the looks of them.

 

[trapperjohn]

Its funny how so many people like or dislike the front end of a 430. I, for the longest time disliked them, thinking they looks awkward and out of proportion with the wheel base, but at the same time I wanted a diesel. Well, I got one and now I think it is a beautiful beast. That nose sticking out there now represents power and the baddest kid on the block in its day. I guess it all depends on where your looking from.

 

[denniscary]

I totally agree Ron

 

[denniscary]

How bad ass would it be to turn a 430 into a 4x4.

 

[mikeduwe]

The front end of the 430s are not my cup of tea, how about putting 400 sheet metal on a 430

 

[jameszmcnelley]

This idea was pioneered in the mid 1960s. as a young school boy at the time, I spent many an hour drawing them for my class-mates at a quarter apiece. the Funny Car, ha.
more power to you Dennis! speaking of power; put you 2 V-Twins in tandem under that hood. I love innovation. that's what makes tinkering with garden tractors so much fun. later, JZM

 

[denniscary]

That is what I thought, why be normal. LOl I like the 400 for durability, it's a great tractor.why trade up spend a bunch of money just to get the look I like.a few hundred bucks on eBay and hey I have the look I want.I still can't believe no one has tried it yet.

 

[denniscary]

Ok just thinking,I have never had or been around a 430, so someone tell me just what is different about the 430 than the 400 other than the diesel motor and the longer hood.is it a bigger tractor or pretty much the same size.help me out here.Just curious.

 

[jameszmcnelley]

about 200 lbs. heavier, a locking differential, and full power steering. also the 2000rpm electric pto, its a 420 with a diesel. later, JZM

 

[denniscary]

Ok thanks. 200 lbs could be a bad thing.the electric pto does not impress me.and the 400 has the 2000 rpm pto, so I am doing pretty good except for the diesel and long hood. I drive a diesel all day long so I get enough of that.now I am back to thinking, extend the frame, eBay a grill and hood, Change the decal and I have something different.outside the box so to speak. Come on guys I know I have you thinking, give me more.......

 

[jameszmcnelley]

The 400 rear pto is 840 rpm at 3400 engine rpm. front and mid pto are 2000rpm.
you will also have to extend the steering arm between the front axle and steering actuator. also fabricate a longer pto control cable, head light wires, fit a pair of 430 side panels if you intend to run side panels. hood side decal will have to be custom made or spliced. and then there will be that pesky exhaust exit to take care of.
might also need an electric ''pusher fan'' at the grill to make sure all that engine heat will get to the other side of the front grill.
also I believe the 430 frame is an inch or so narrower. so even if you splice two 400 frames, you will have other fitment issues to solve where sheet metal and brackets meet the frame.
might be easier to fab a one piece ''flip front-end'' out of the 430 pieces. THAT, would be a new one. just an idea I had. I once built one for my 55 chevy back in 77.
I would first figure out if the 430 hood is wide enough where it sits over the 400 heat shield. might be tight there. these hoods taper in, in width wise as they approach the steering tower.
I would definitely put a 430 side by side with the 400 and take some serious measurements, and get it worked out on paper and in my head before I started spending money. I am sure there will be other issues, you cant plan for all of them. later, JZM

 

[denniscary]

Wow. You have given this some thought. Ok since I have a background in fabrication all you have mentioned is very doable. I think the side by side measurement is a great idea. Flip front end.....maybe! The fan was a thought I also had. I have an idea for fabrication of a rear pto that would keep the 2000 rpm. But that's another story. If you have anymore ideas on this I would love to hear them.