Dash-9 - Lowering project - Completed(w/tank raised)

Thanks.


I do certainly agree with you on the height Art.   It was a necessity for me to lower them to look right.   The new E8s and GP-40s do look right to my eye.


The engine has been lowered about  .20 inches, not quite a full 1/4 inch(.25).  I need to check my notes, but I think the tank was raised ~.17 of an inch.   The front plow and front&rear frame plate need to be sanded some to keep them from being too close to the rail head.


The couplers do line up perfectly and went with a Kadee 787.  To install, I simply installed the coupler in the kadee box upside down and drilled the main kadee box hole out (can't remember the drill bit size off hand).   The assembled Kadee fits right on Dash-9 coupler post and I used a slightly larger washer with the original screw to hold the coupler in place. 


The worst part of the conversion is making the plates to replace the platform you cut out where the trucks ride. (I think they are called the bolsters)  I used Aluminum plates on mine for strength since the plates are only 1/8" thick.  Getting the drill holes drilled accurately and the side slots formed takes some time, but I think it's worth it.


I need to update my lowering project page, but here are photos I took from the first engine I lowered. 


http://www.rayman4449.dynip.com/Aristocraft_Dash_9_lowering_project.htm


I'll also try to post some pics of how I raised the tank.  I may do it a little differently the next time tho...

Based on these photos, it looks like that at .20" the engine may be just a touch too short, but just barely.  I don't recall what the other folks came up with as far as calculations went.  Overall it didn't matter to me as I like the look of them lowered better.  I think the engine lowered to .20 is pretty darn close.


1:1





Original height:








Lowered:





 


 

Hey there Bryan:  Thanks.  What I ended up doing was taking a sanding block and sanded the bottom of the plow and front&rear pilots down so they weren't as close to the rail head.  


I really like the avatar photos.  It's great to see who's posting and who you are chatting with.     (Of course I remember you Bryan from the open house.    )


One thing I just added to the website write-up was the following.  This will save you alot of hassle when positioning the plates.


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To secure the plates to the frame I mounted the plates in place and drilled four holes through the plate and frame.  #2 Stainless Steel bolts and nuts (from Lowes) were used.  To get the plates properly centered, I put the plate in place, installed the truck in the slots then from the top of the frame twisted the plate clockwise or counter clockwise and slid it around to get the proper orientation.  Next I then screwed the big washer in place that holds the truck to the plate and further centered it so it was perfectly centered.  Next, I then applied hot glue in the exposed 'swing' areas where the plate was now exposed and let dry.  This freezes the plate in place so you can drill the four holes for the permanent screws without the plate sliding around or getting out of position. 


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Raymond

Hey RJ,  I took some photos of the steps and how I raised the tank and posted them on the lower project page:  

http://www.rayman4449.dynip.com/Aristocraft_Dash_9_lowering_project.htm

Also explained how I did everything.

I know this could have been done more precisely, but the steps I used made raising the tank a set of no brainer steps not requiring alot of measuring.  In the end, it worked.  /DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/mls/emoticons/tongue.gif

Here are few pics more are on the webpage.

 








Raymond