I restored a bound for the junkyard JD LX176 lawn tractor this spring. It sat for 7 years out in the elements. After some engine work, it came to life. I wanted to make sure it would be solid before putting more money into it. The hood was so brittle. It would break looking at it, the tires had the same issue. The hood had a crack in the center of it from front to back lengthwise. By the time I had it all removed, I had 17 pieces. The side panels were ok thankfully. I found an aftermarket hood for 125.00. Fit like a glove. The sticker was a bear to find but finally did. Like you, it was of good quality and expensive. I always use a spritzer with soapy water to lay my stickers. It's very forgiving when it comes to placement. Once placed, I use a credit card to go over the sticker removing bubbles, then take my thumbs and press down to make sure the air bubbles, if any, are gone. Interesting video.. I enjoyed it.
I have bought 2 upper & lower hoods for 345 & a gx345 from Flip Manufacturer and they look great. They are a whole lot more expensive than the side panels and hood for the 425.
I wish these aftermarket hoods weren't so expensive. Im restoring an lx188 and im seriously considering either using an older metal hood, bending out my own, or my favorite idea so far which is to just find a used metal hood for an actual tractor because its so much cheaper to do so - especially if you are going to spend money on upgrading the headlights anyways. Thanks for making the video
Holding up well, thanks for asking. My dad reported that the bolts that hold the hood on fell out. He replaced them and used threadlocker. No more issues.
I melted my aftermarket grill and both side panels on my 425 today. Cooling system was working fine all 3 parts warp3d and melted. Disappointing for sure, must be some type of heat treatment on original stuff idk 🤷♂️
Always put decals on with warm soapy water. That way if you do make a mistake you can easily remove them. Use a credit card to remove air. Put the decals on BEFORE installing the parts. Turned out GREAT by the way.
I think that panels are made of sheet molded compound (SMC) which is used for large plastic panel parts in the auto sector. What was the cost difference between the OE panels and the aftermarket ones?
Would you consider painting the under hood with heat resistant paint? I added a heat deflector to the area of the grill that seems to be sensitive to excessive heat.
I have a 425 that I am looking to part out if anyone is interested. It is a 95 model with no plastic parts on it. If anyone is interested just leave a comment on what part you may need and I will get back to you.
Just a wild idea here, but do you know if your tractor has a plastic cam gear or has it been upgraded to the steel one? Common failure item around the 11-1200 hr mark.
Great video. Very informative and helpful. But I have to ask, how can a tractor that clean have so much damage to the plastic? The back half looks like new. Thanks for posting.
I take it you did this project for someone as you mentioned taking it back to its home.. my questio is do you get paid to do this and how do you charge for doing that. Just wondering. I have been working on a ferris mower which I thought was a simple carburetor rebuild. But after getting into it, it turned into way more. Your john deere turn out nice 👍
here is what i have noticed the eyelet holes can and are a bit off on 1 or more of the holes meaning the panels don't set perfectly into place or the eye holes are just a bit off, they still work and just fine, but they aren't an exact perfect 'smooth' fit. none of the new hoods come with the black peg retainers that screw in up by the instrument cluster. all they do is help stop the hood vibration which reduces noise and minor wear marking on the inside of the hood. nothing well placed rubber pads or foam or chair foot pads can't do also. completely unnecessary to begin with in my book and not nearly as good or nice as the rubber protector on the 1XX-3XX series had.
I restored a bound for the junkyard JD LX176 lawn tractor this spring. It sat for 7 years out in the elements. After some engine work, it came to life. I wanted to make sure it would be solid before putting more money into it. The hood was so brittle. It would break looking at it, the tires had the same issue. The hood had a crack in the center of it from front to back lengthwise. By the time I had it all removed, I had 17 pieces. The side panels were ok thankfully. I found an aftermarket hood for 125.00. Fit like a glove. The sticker was a bear to find but finally did. Like you, it was of good quality and expensive. I always use a spritzer with soapy water to lay my stickers. It's very forgiving when it comes to placement. Once placed, I use a credit card to go over the sticker removing bubbles, then take my thumbs and press down to make sure the air bubbles, if any, are gone. Interesting video.. I enjoyed it.
Thanks for the review! I was thinking of covering mine with paint protective film PPF, like you see on some cars.
$ 892.89 according to thier website now!
Decals - place a layer of dish soap onto the surface, which allows one to slide the decal around into position. The dish soap will evaporate.
I've got a 4:25 I put the larger tires like the 455 has everything fit worked and it looked a lot better
I have bought 2 upper & lower hoods for 345 & a gx345 from Flip Manufacturer and they look great. They are a whole lot more expensive than the side panels and hood for the 425.
Looks great , and the decales look awsome too!😊
I’m actually really glad I found this channel! I haven’t seen much content about aftermarket parts
This is a great video if for nothing other than the hood adjustment portion. Thanks for putting it together 👍
Great video...
Thank you for sharing... 😎
Great channel. Subscribed!
I wish these aftermarket hoods weren't so expensive. Im restoring an lx188 and im seriously considering either using an older metal hood, bending out my own, or my favorite idea so far which is to just find a used metal hood for an actual tractor because its so much cheaper to do so - especially if you are going to spend money on upgrading the headlights anyways. Thanks for making the video
Great videos. I have a 2001 jd 425 I've put 1800 hours on it they are some of the best lawn tractors jd ever made.
any updates on how they are holding up??
Thanks!
Holding up well, thanks for asking. My dad reported that the bolts that hold the hood on fell out. He replaced them and used threadlocker. No more issues.
I melted my aftermarket grill and both side panels on my 425 today. Cooling system was working fine all 3 parts warp3d and melted. Disappointing for sure, must be some type of heat treatment on original stuff idk 🤷♂️
Always put decals on with warm soapy water. That way if you do make a mistake you can easily remove them.
Use a credit card to remove air.
Put the decals on BEFORE installing the parts. Turned out GREAT by the way.
But will they adhere well to a soapy water base?
@@cottydry .....yep.
I think that panels are made of sheet molded compound (SMC) which is used for large plastic panel parts in the auto sector.
What was the cost difference between the OE panels and the aftermarket ones?
Would you consider painting the under hood with heat resistant paint? I added a heat deflector to the area of the grill that seems to be sensitive to excessive heat.
I would have, but ran out of time to do any painting or make a heat shield. Hopefully it holds up.
I have 425 I’m starting to redo, myself. Looking for a newer floorboard
Great work man 👍🏻👍🏻 love your attention to detail as far as lining the panels up. What did you end up doing for the exhaust touching the panel?
I ended up trimming the panel with a dremel drum sander
Anyone have idea for a new 54 deck is there an aftermarket one made?
Don’t think they make them any more. Been on eBay for months and finally got,a,used 60” for my 455. 1200 plus 300 shipping from new York to tennessee.
I have a 425 that I am looking to part out if anyone is interested. It is a 95 model with no plastic parts on it. If anyone is interested just leave a comment on what part you may need and I will get back to you.
Going to restore my John Deere 425 doesn't run right now my boss give it to me I was mowing one day then it stopped on me
I feel your pain. Do you have the books?
Just a wild idea here, but do you know if your tractor has a plastic cam gear or has it been upgraded to the steel one? Common failure item around the 11-1200 hr mark.
Great video. Very informative and helpful. But I have to ask, how can a tractor that clean have so much damage to the plastic? The back half looks like new. Thanks for posting.
I dont have a 425 just a d110 but fun to watch. Thanks. Was it expensive getting the aftermarket flips?
I think I had $400-ish into it? I don't remember exactly.
Try $856.00 know
How much was the decal set?
Pretty dang expensive. I think each "425" decal for the side panels was $60-ish
I take it you did this project for someone as you mentioned taking it back to its home.. my questio is do you get paid to do this and how do you charge for doing that. Just wondering. I have been working on a ferris mower which I thought was a simple carburetor rebuild. But after getting into it, it turned into way more. Your john deere turn out nice 👍
here is what i have noticed the eyelet holes can and are a bit off on 1 or more of the holes meaning the panels don't set perfectly into place or the eye holes are just a bit off, they still work and just fine, but they aren't an exact perfect 'smooth' fit.
none of the new hoods come with the black peg retainers that screw in up by the instrument cluster. all they do is help stop the hood vibration which reduces noise and minor wear marking on the inside of the hood. nothing well placed rubber pads or foam or chair foot pads can't do also. completely unnecessary to begin with in my book and not nearly as good or nice as the rubber protector on the 1XX-3XX series had.