MTH & Kadee Coupler & Draft Gear Box

PSU1980 posted:

Forum Members,

I just received my 2016 V2 Catalog along with the 2016 Ready to Run Catalog. On page 63 they are promoting item 20-89019, the metal, No. 805 Kadee Coupler and Draft Gear Box.

Question is this a simple Remove and Replace?  Do you need the shims?  Yes the newer MTH cars come with holes predrilled for Kadees. This is on the premise that you are going to 2R the equipment. In addition to the Kadees you will need to buy the 2R trucks.  2nd If you are like me and run 3RS you will still need to shim in some cases. Next,  you will have to remove the claw coupler and still use the dremel to remove the claw mount as it gets in the way of the Kadee draft box. still some work but well worth the effort.

 Do you need screws? Does the kit come with the Shims and Screws?  The 804 and 740 kits only come with draft boxes, couplers and springs. You will need to purchase screws.( I source mine at ACE Hardware) and you can buy or make your own shims. For the older lionel, MTH,and Atlas cars you can go to http://www.shapeways.com/designer/mscalzo3   most of the work is done for you. all you have to do is mount the draft boxes. 

Please confirm if you have performed the replacement on MTH.  Yes I  have and have adapted the lionel shims for the older MTH cars. ( The older cars have metal frame. you will need to use the 804s or the 945 that use the plastic draft boxes). 

  Lionel is now making the frame, thank you Lionel, on the newer rolling stock - Kadee Coupler ready - I believe in this case I still need the shim and screws if I want to swap out couplers - can anyone confirm?  Yes you still will need to shim and perform surgery to the trucks if you use the high rail trucks per the video.

I know from past experience and after a ton of frustration that you had to drill pilot holes, purchase the shim package and additional screws (made a simple swap a PIA) in order to complete the job. I only wish I had seen Laidoffsick's video that to convert older Lionel, MTH, Atlas, to Kadee before I engaged in the conversion. I would have had everything at the start.   It takes me on average to convert about 20 mins.

Hence the questions above.

Thanks,

 

To be clear, you only need 2Rail trucks if your 2railing.

mike g. posted:

To be clear, you only need 2Rail trucks if your 2railing.

 Mike

Yes, Lionel and MTH for 2R you need 2R trucks or wheel sets.  Atlas, Intermountain, Weaver, and Pecos River are sold with 2R trucks. Atlas, Intermountian kits and some Weavers come with Kadees.  I would still use the Kadee couplar height gauge for confirmation.

Thanks all. Looking at the 3RL side.

What's 3RL ?