MTH Pilots

 The side frames don't need to come off that I know? Just remove the truck's bottom plates with four screws each ( and the pick-up rollers).

 The pilots swivel on the stock 3 rail versions and have "the gap". I'm not sure you would want to leave that alone? It is a straight forward job to add a shim and attach them on newer models. They are pre-drilled with KD mounting holes on most. You have to make holes to mount the pilot to the body. Only certain newer models have mounts on the shell for the pilots. On older models, I screw the pilot to the metal frame, with a home made shim.

  I don't worry about the radius too much as you can adjust with different KD couplers to handle them. Of course that means not the tiny radii used in three rail! I can't stand seeing the diesel's steps move on curves.

With the wheel swap, you just remove the cover plate. Doug "Laidoffsick" did a primer on fixing the pilots that was pretty thorough. The instructions from Doug's post are attached.

 

You know Trinkle Trains would have some input here too.

I got a good deal for a great BN U30C from him. Someone cut the tabs off of the trucks for clearance of the couplers. That extra work isn't needed. It's way easier to cut the back of the KD boxes off of the 745s. There were metal filings all over the place!

 I bet he was in a rush? That engine performs great. I should have bought them all from him!