Post by CP_8530 on Jul 10, 2015 4:45:22 GMT -5
While some have experimented with mounting Athearn Flexicoil switcher trucks on Proto 2000 GP9 frames an have had to either mill the frame down or modify the truck bolster for it to sit lower, now there's an easier way to make that lightweight CN GP9 riding on Flexicoil trucks: using the Rapido GMD-1 trucks!
The GMD-1 bolster is lower than the P2K Geep's, but with some styrene shims glued in the bolster area you can raise the height to give proper frame-to-truck spacing. I used a few strips glued together to about 0.060" and drilled a hole in the middle for the center pin. You can add or remove shims to adjust the ride height:
The trucks will swivel side to side without any trouble, and the setup negotiated some 18" radius curves with ease. The gearbox cover needs its two tabs trimmed a bit to clear the centre bolster span on the frame, and the cover is a bit tight in the grey Proto 2000 weight, but seems to work with no frame modifications or milling. One may need to remove some material from the inside of the grey weight, but as these trucks are for something else I haven't tested that yet.
Of course, I don't think Rapido has many spare GMD1 Flexicoil trucks lying around, but it's an idea for a quick and easy conversion.
The GMD-1 bolster is lower than the P2K Geep's, but with some styrene shims glued in the bolster area you can raise the height to give proper frame-to-truck spacing. I used a few strips glued together to about 0.060" and drilled a hole in the middle for the center pin. You can add or remove shims to adjust the ride height:
The trucks will swivel side to side without any trouble, and the setup negotiated some 18" radius curves with ease. The gearbox cover needs its two tabs trimmed a bit to clear the centre bolster span on the frame, and the cover is a bit tight in the grey Proto 2000 weight, but seems to work with no frame modifications or milling. One may need to remove some material from the inside of the grey weight, but as these trucks are for something else I haven't tested that yet.
Of course, I don't think Rapido has many spare GMD1 Flexicoil trucks lying around, but it's an idea for a quick and easy conversion.
