1.  Forward 1-1.  Discovery 1-2.  Documentation & Tutorials 1-3.  Production of the RJ-58 / RJ-59 1-4.  Restoration Processes 1-5.  Part Stripping Processes 1-6.  Electro-Chemical Stripping Process 1-7.  Surface Preparation Before Primer 1-8.  Priming Process 1-9.  Painting Processes 2.  Aquisition and Initial Assessment 2-1.  Initial Tear-Down in Tennessee 3.  Transport to Pennsylvania 3-1.  Aquisition of Parts Tractor 4.  Restoration Continues in Pennsylvania 4-1.  Update (June 26, 2009) 4-2.  Update (June 13-30, 2009) 4-3.  Update (July 01 - 15, 2009) 4-4.  Update (July 16 - 31, 2009) 4-5.  Update (August 01 - 15, 2009) 4-6.  Update (August 16 - 31, 2009) 4-7.  Update (September - March 2010)

The Rescue and Restoration of a 1958 Wheel Horse Ride-Away Jr. RJ-58 Yard and Garden Tractor
by: MikesRJ
	Then ...	... and Now
(The image above depicts the current status of this restoration) (Click the image to display a larger view)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The purpose of this article is to document my foray into the restoration of a 1958 Wheel Horse RJ-58 Lawn and Garden Tractor. I do this in the hopes that future RJ58/RJ59 restorers might use this information to their benefit. By no means am I an expert at restoration, I am simply documenting my learning process and research, and the progression I have experienced in my restoration. The information contained herein is a combination of my past restoration experience, my personal research into Wheel Horse's RJ58/59 manufacturing processes, the sage advice I gleaned from talking to, and admiring the work of, experienced RJ restorers. I have also included my restoration "lessons learned" while returning this piece of history back to its original 1958 factory-new condition.

 

I have heard and read countless arguments on what is, and what is not, considered a "restoration". By virtue of definition, a restoration is returning an item or situation to its former, original state. Even replacing a burned-out light bulb could be considered a restoration by this definition. The word restoration needs additional words in order to adequately describe and define what "type" of restoration you intend to perform. A restoration, in order to be more definitive, must contain a few words to describe the intent of your restoration, in order to prevent any arguments as to what defines a restoration in your specific case.

 

My definition of a restoration for this machine is; to perform a 100% factory restoration of the entire machine. Every single piece, down to the last nut and bolt, will be repaired, restored or replaced to achieve a machine which contains at least 100% accurate component parts. There are 143 line items, and over 310 individual piece-parts which make up this machine (not including the engine). I will/have personally removed each one from the machine, inspect it to determine whether it can be refurbished or needs to be replaced, refinished in whatever manner necessary or replaced as required, and reinstalled the finished component. This means that by the time this process is (was) completed, there is not a single piece-part which I have not handled and inspected several times over. The goal is to return the machine to its former condition as it was sold in 1958, with very little modification of the original design.

 

Each restorer must define their mission, before you begin work, then try to stick with it throughout the entire restoration process. Things will be discovered along the way that may alter your original mission slightly, but defining the goal early will keep you focused on the objective and give you insight to how to overcome the inevitable obstacles and challenges. So now we arrive at my "Mission Statement" for this RJ-58. I define my restoration intent  as follows.

 

The intent of this restoration is to;

1. Return this machine, as closely as possible, to its original factory condition with 100% accurate parts and configuration;
2. Only deviate from the factory standard, by addition, substitution, or modification, when it preserves the machine and/or protects the longevity of the restoration work;
3. Make aesthetic changes only when they add value to either intent #1 and/or #2 above.

It is my sincere hope that future Wheel Horse, and particularly Ride-Away Jr. (RJ) restorers will locate and use this article as a guide to their own restoration work. I believe this is a good starting point for those new to restoration, and those wishing to perform the same level of painstaking restoration detail, in order to preserve the beauty, legacy and legend of the Wheel Horse brand.

If you would like to contact the author, please use this link (Click Here)