[larsliche]

I thought I would share with everyone the extremely slow but steady progress I've made with the John Deere 400 project. I don't post a lot here but I've always found the forum helpful whenever I had a question. Army and Harold in particular due to their appreciation for the 400.

Before (Summer of 2013)

After (Winter of 2015)

It is certainly not show quality or even 100% original as I went with newer decals and tires in addition to the repower from SEW but I'm very happy with it and looking forward to tooling around the yard and driveway for the next 30 years.

 

[larsliche]

One more photo that didn't upload properly.

(Message edited by treed on February 18, 2015)

 

[drew]

Looking good Casey! Don't worry about how long it takes. We spent more than 3 years on a 140.

It's great to be able to look at it and go man it turned out great and I learned a lot in the process.

Mike

 

[larsliche]

I hear you on the learning part. Being that this was the first time I've attempted something like this, I would honestly say that I installed and uninstalled the fenders, and side panels probably about 6 times as I had forgotten to hook up the hydro line or I dropped the wiring harness in a point where I could not reach it. My favorite was when I dropped a socket down the engine cowl into the flywheel and had to take it all apart to get it back. Good times.

 

[bigfoot_brent]

Very nice! What engine did you use for the repower?

 

[larsliche]

I went with the 23HP Briggs Vanguard. I found the kit required no modifications to my setup other than I used their provided PTO cable support versus the OEM. I am very happy with the kit and my experience with SEW was very positive. From unboxing to running I spent two days putting it in.

 

[army]

Good work Casey. You should be very proud of that tractor. More pics and info would be great.

Took me quite a while to do my last 400 project too. I didn't need to use it so I took my time and enjoyed myself. I also spent too much money but I have no regrets at all. It's a sweet green vintage machine now. It's been pampered for several years since I finished it but I'm finally gonna start using it this year when mowing season comes along. I'm gonna try anyway. I might talk myself out of it.


Army

 

[captaindan]

Nice job, You will be very happy with the Vanguard and the 400. It is one of my favorite tractors and mine works hard plowing in the winter to earn it's keep.

 

[jd4001]

Casey,

Welcome to the Blacksheep squadron. You will love that 400. It is a very strong machine capable of lots of jobs around the property. Good luck with it.

 

[5540jd]

Looking good. Good choice on the repower. I had a 400 with the Kohler and never had good luck out of it. Got tired of rebuilding motor and sold tractor.

 

[grandpajay]

Casey,
That's quite an accomplishment! Congratulations and I'm sure you'll find other projects to do on it. The 400 is really robust and I've found really satisfying to modify and upgrade. Don't sweat the "original" part. Make it your own.

I sure understand the off and on fender deck part! I really wish it had zippers on it. The last thing I'm going to paint is the steering tower-after most of the wrestling and scratching is over. Jay

 

[jd195350]

Casey,
Good job on the 400. You have got it looking good. I just finished my first restore, a 330. I know what you mean about taking some time.

Army, I know exactly what you mean about spending too much money. Ouch, my billfold still hurts.

Enjoy Casey,
Joe G.

 

[larsliche]

Thanks everyone. I was impressed with how easily the Vanguard started and how quiet it was even in comparison to my Home Depot Cub Cadet. Honestly it kind of startled me when it did fire because I was expecting to have to turn it over for a while and tune it a bit and that was not the case.

As far as new parts go:
- 23hp Briggs Vanguard Conversion Kit from SEW
- 3pt hitch from Ruegg Mfg
- Rear tires are Carlisle Tru Power 26x12s
- Front tires are Vredestein V61s
- New headlight lens
- New hour meter
- New AMMETER
- New decals
- Hydro lever nob
- Hi/Low nob
- Deck height adjustment nob
- Hydro oil cooler

Used parts:
- Left Side tin with exhaust port
- Front gill with no exhaust port
- Steering wheel

Original parts:
Everything else that comes with the tractor

Like Army I probably spent way to much on this tractor (nowhere near what he did) but I do not regret it at all.

Next step is I am looking for a loader for it. I have the plans from PF engineering and if I can't track something down will head that route to complete the tractor plus other easier to come by attachments.

 

[larsliche]

Here are a few more pictures. Just received the new (used) side exhaust tin so need to get that sandblasted, painted and clear coated. I'm also going to trim down the exhaust pipe. Also have a new (used) front grill without the exhaust port to install. Enjoy! I am having trouble getting the lights to work though which is kind of bugging me. Wondering if my light switch is just bad as I tested the three front lights using a 9 volt and I get light from all three so its either the wire, ground or switch.

 

[mike]

Nice work Casey, looks great.

 

[rey]

Great work Casey

 

[7dad34]

Ho-Ho-Holey moley is that a nice looking beast ! Nice job Casey ! I had a 400 that I rebuilt the K582. That tractor will make you happy for a very long time !

 

[5540jd]

Casey, fresh paint can prevent a good ground for the lights. You may have to scratch under lugs or use those washers that bite through paint to ensure ground. If you know how to use a volt/ohmmeter, you can check continuity from ground wire of lights to ground on battery. Should be a very low ohm reading. Closer to zero the better. A test light can work too.

 

[jlang]

Casey, Very nice work but did You forgot part G shown here in the jd400 manual? It is called the heat shield.

 

[larsliche]

Nice product placement JRL.

I hadn't realized mine came with the foam panel that you offer as it only ever had the OEM metal shield that I reinstalled.