Sears Suburban 1975 SS/16 Restoration Project

This old garden tractor was not running and had been sitting outside rusting away for decades. It was a really fun project and now is a great tractor, although I would never be able to stand to use it for anything that got it dirty. HA! BTW, it is pretty much stock except for the electronic ignition, electric fuel pump, and diamond plate running boards.

[@austinweird]

If anyone is interested, here is another restoration of an F-100 my wife and I did right after this Sears tractor. Our current project is a 1974 Corvette and I will put it on as soon as it is done. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKGWqGaXppaIfsU

[@DavidSmith-fr1uz]

Thanks for restoring that old girl. It just shows the difference in quality between then and today for a residential machine.

[@michaelbrown5838]

That's a beautiful restoration on a great classic tractor. I had a '76. I gave it to my neighbor in '03 when I was moving. I miss that tractor. They don't build 'em like that anymore.

[@michaelbenoit248]

Michae Brown, I’m 16 & I bought a JD212 about 3yrs ago when I was 14, the carb pledged the tractor ever since I’ve had it, finally replaced the head gasket, & the carb & I bought an aftermarket carb & the gaskets were trash so I’m ordering fabric to make my own, & last night I finally got it running the way to should be so it’s running good for now at least, still need to do the points/replace them cuz they’re shot. Just found an st-12-16 it’s at my buddies house & it looks like a 12 but I didn’t get any pics of the motor so it’s either a 12 or a 16/OHV. I’m excited about getting it cuz I’ve been looking for a sears suburban for a while now, it’s a bucket list item. I fixed repainted my Deere & it looks great... for now at least, now I don’t what to get it dirty... hahaha MikeJD60 is my channel where I have a video on repainting it.

[@haroldlamble5163]

Good job onan started right up .

[@EnderGate]

Nice, Wow, new decals too! Love the sound of an Onan. I have my Dad's 1976' SS18 BG-MS, just re-built the Marvel carburetor and fuel pump, 45 years later and still a champ!

[@metaxa715]

Awesome work I love those rear tires ! if i could find a set of those in my area !

[@rgrimm3173]

a beautiful restoration Lloyd, nicely done !

[@danderossett5565]

looks great !!! I have an st 16 and an ss 16 and work them hard, can't beat them.

[@CCWP0251]

My dream tractor. 😊 Very nice restoration!

[@tomb.6078]

I own one of these. Its in original running condition. Has a mower attachment the thing is a beast! Since it broke down 20 yrs after my grandpa bought it and was stored away in a shed its got pretty low hours on he onan motor. Turns out one of the plugs came un plugged on the voltage regulator under the dash which was the cause of the break down.

[@austinweird]

I wish I had a better use for mine. I take it out and run it down the street every so often. LOL Thinking about building a small trailer with a bench seat to haul about 3 people. We live in the Texas Hill Country on the side of a hill and I could use it to haul people from our parking area to the house when we have our happy hour parties. BTW, I added electronic ignition and an electric fuel pump during the rebuild. I think both, especially the ignition, are good ideas. Do you have any plans for yours?

[@bulletbobweldon1442]

You do great work! One of the best restorations I have ever seen! Just picked one up, you set the bar high.

[@crankysports]

Looks beautiful. I would Have stuck with a factory muffler - those pepper shakers are loud on onans- done two like that. Amazing job though

[@altadutch]

I have that exact same tractor with the belly mowing deck and have been having trouble with the original fuel pump. Today ordered an electric fuel pump on eBay to hopefully fix the issues and use the tractor again.

[@fordinlinestraight]

Cool will check out. Great video. Good old Sears love it

[@Josh-dp4iv]

you did a Great job on the restoration. I just have 1970 sears suburban ss12 a restoration. and enjoyed every minute of it.

[@austinweird]

Thanks Josh. Naturally it took longer and cost more than I thought it would before I started. Doesn't it always go that way? HA! My current project is my old F-100. Started on it about a week ago and, pretty much, have it taken apart now. Looking forward to seeing your SS12.

[@wtbm123]

Very nice tractor

[@jk-lj5yh]

nice tractor...thanks for sharing....!

[@nathanbottjer6141]

Beautiful machine!!

[@livingwiththewolfes4331]

Lloyd, this is an amazing restoration. I keep finding myself coming back to this video for inspiration to start restoring my 1973 Sears ST/10. I'm curious what paint you used because it really stands out!

[@austinweird]

Dustin, it is just Rustoleum out of a rattle can. Tried to pick something that closely matched the original colors. Ended up with Gloss Beige for the light color and Tuscan Sun for the gold.

[@mwald5194]

Points saver

[@turbinepower77]

Very nice restoration.

[@brandonwright8974]

Very nice tractor and great restoration. Where did you get the replacement parts? I'm in the process restoring my ss16

[@austinweird]

I'm doing another one right now myself. I think you can find almost anything you need on eBay.

[@brandonwright8974]

Ok thank you good luck on your build.

[@austinweird]

@@brandonwright8974 I should have mentioned something about the decals. I get those from Vintage Reproductions. A set for the SS16 is $62. The paint I used on this one is Rustoleum. The yellow is called Tuscan Sun and the other is Gloss Beige. On this second tractor I'm doing, I plan to use Caterpillar Yellow and Gloss Beige. I get the Caterpillar Yellow at Tractor Supply.

[@brandonwright8974]

Thanks for the information. I just now got my this tractor from pawpaw and plan on restoring as of right now it does not run.

[@brandonwright8974]

Did you finish the second restoration tractor?

[@johnrich726]

I have questions. What colors did you use and where did you find the sticker set. And I know the general colors I would like the specific colors if possible.

[@austinweird]

Just scroll down a bit through the comments. Answers to both questions are in my replies to other viewers.

[@lawrencefunk6520]

Wow!🤙🤙🤙

[@brandonwright8974]

How did you take the gas tank off underneath the seat?

[@johnturner815]

wow got my gpas ol one in barn been thinking about splitting engine n redoing it leaks like a siv gaskets are toast how hard is it workin on these engines?did my jd 111 last summer in back yrd on bucket in day n half just messing around on 2 five gal buckets

[@austinweird]

Oh, there is nothing to it, just like any other small engine. If you can do a JD you can do one of the Onan engines.

[@MrSatajet]

Great job !

[@benstill571]

Museum quality resto. Where did you source the new decals? Best regards, Ben.

[@austinweird]

I think I got them here: www.clickitandstickit.com/categories/Reproduction-Lawn-Mower-Decals/SEARS/ They were about $80 for the complete set, if I remember correctly.

[@jhitt79]

Never cared for the look of the Suburban but you did a great job.

[@Josh-dp4iv]

Imma do a video and overview of my tractor and all the emplements I have.

[@austinweird]

Please send me a link when you are done.

[@Josh-dp4iv]

was you able to find the yellow or did you have to get specialty paint for it like I did?

[@austinweird]

I thought that yellow was a very close match to the original. It is just Rustoleum out of a rattle can. It is a new color that I found at Walmart called "Tuscan Sun." The light parts are Rustoleum "Beige."

[@crankysports]

Lloyd Morris Tuscan Sun?

[@randysimmons9838]

Sweet!

[@standurround589]

Nice!!!