Rescued Thiokol 1200A - Central CA

[wannagoflying]

This 1200A found will be a challenge. #467 Thiokol last known usage was at MT Lassen and found it's last home in South Central CA to be torn all the way down. New to the snowcat, but have hopes for this old cat. Hope to have ready for the 2008 season with a new enclosed cab, power plant and new treads.
John

[pixie]

Welcome to the forum, wannagoflying !!

Looks like you have some work ahead of you !

I hope you will keep us posted as you go along with the restoration :thumb:

[Melensdad]

Hi John! What are you planning on doing with this Thiokol?

Will we be seeing a historic restoration or are you going to "Pimp your Ride" with a full custom build? :weneedpic

And after you are done, then what? Is this for business or pleasure? Oh, and how understanding is your wife because you are going to be spending a lot of time in your workshop! :thumb:

[wannagoflying]

Well I've now settled for the the modern look of the VMC sloped roof design to be intrgrated to the traditional Spryte front end. Completely shave the doors, seams and add rain gutters. The CAD design has a rear layout for 6-7 passengers in a U shapped seating arrangement. The better half had the dropped jaw look when it arrived attach. I will keep posted with monthly photos.

[paulhenry]

congratulations on your aquisition - and I thought my to-do list was long!

Enjoy.

[wannagoflying]

The work is progressing on the tear down of the 1200A. Only (1) boggie was solid filled to be cut apart.:pat: The wheels have been stripped, repainted and heading over to the tire shop for a new set of Goodyear filled monorails on the front and rear. The frame has been been completely stripped of all items and hardware. Stripping the paint has been a chore, but almost done.:) Front axle is stripped, repainted and awaits all other to be complete. Rear drive assembly is completely torn down, less trans/diff. (1) broke axle on right side with the machine shop pressing everthing out today. The left axle ships Monday with the drop drive gear to the axle man for a new set of axles. Thanks to a great forum for all the thoughts and ideas. Hope to have CAD drawing posted by next week for a vote of cab/cabin designs.:)
John

[paulhenry]

could you tell me more about your tire selection and how/what you are filling with - what was the cost?

Thanks

[Snowcat Operations]

EXCELLENT! Another Thiokol gets a chance at life once again! Are you going to keep the oc-4 transaxle or are you going to upgrade to the oc-12?

[wannagoflying]

Paul - I found a local source for Goodyear 4.5-12 monorail tires with superflex filled for $155 per tire plus tax. Fallline quoted $205 plus tax and frieght. Being local it was a easy decision.They the tires from a warehouse in Indiana. I have asked numerous people about tire configuration and settled for position 1 & 5 with monorail and 2,3 & 4 6-8 ply treaded tire filled with superflex also. I contacted Arnconet local rep in socal and he turned me to the local tire shop. They use the superflex for skidsteer and ag tires. http://www.arnconet.com/flatproofing/superfills/formulas/superflex.htm
John

[wannagoflying]

Currently I'm going to rework the OC-4 and leave in the alone for the 1st season to give it a try. The common theme I keep hearing is, maintenance and don't abuse it. That why I pulled the plow off and have it for sale. Numerous have suggested to add an autotrans ahead of the manual and that what I'm going to do.

[wannagoflying]

Folks,
Please provide you vote / input on the new build. I have the Thiokol stripped all the way down to the ground. The fabrication and layout will begin shortly. Please see attached CAD sketches. Your thought, ideas and comment both positive and negative.
John

[Snowcat Operations]

1200A SHADO gets my vote!

[Thiokol2track]

I like the shado too.:thumb: Looks like it might be a big step getting in off the tracks tho.:winterrul

[Snowcat Operations]

Simple solution. Cut out a hole and have a recesed small foot step. They even make them commercially. they are made from aluminum. I will see if I can find one for you and get a picture.

[Snowcat Operations]

Here you go.

http://mooreindhardware.thomasnet.com/item/misc-hardware-other-hardware-steps/cast-aluminum-steps/c-1130?&seo=110

[wannagoflying]

Like the idea of the foot step:applause: Found 200# gas struts today, looking at tilting the full cab forwardfor two reasons. Easy access for engine work - remove complete top when servicing and gull forward when entering. Keep the idea coming.

[Snowcat Operations]

Thge step is an idea I had for my Swamp spryte since its harder to get into with the smaller width tracks.

[wannagoflying]

With the comments from the great forum users, the last and final design is now complete. The cutting of the existing sub frame will now begin. Plan, plan, plan, cut once and weld once. The best of both combined into one SUV. Widen by 18", extend rear deck by 4" and raise the rear roof line by 12" sloping. The seating will be 2 in the front and 4 in the rear, with the ability to fold the rear seating down. Keep the comments coming as the build will always be open to options. Thanks to the great users and comments.
John

[Snowcat Operations]

You might want to extend the rear deck a bit more. Mine was extended about 8" if not more. Its 6 feet now. I feel this will help keep snow from building up on the deck.

[wannagoflying]

Mike
The rear deck measures 4'-0" long x 7'-0" wide inside. What is your over-all legnth from front not including lights to rear-end of deck? Total length is about 12'-6" already.
Thanks, John

[wannagoflying]

Well the Dewalt sawzall came alive to start the cutting away the hammered front end, five blades later and it's done. Dropped drawing to fabrication shop to roll new metal and underpan, can't wait to get welding. Last poor welding on the frontend showed signs of a drunk or blind welder. Never seen so many bandaid welds.

[shovanl]

On your last drawing you show the doors cut short I have a 1977 1202 and that is the stile and it makes it hard to get in and out ( if you are and old fat gi ) the newer ones say the 88' thay have sloped the doors down from the back to the front by about 10 to 12" this apears to make it better to swing your feet in Just my 2 cent's keep up the good work Larry

[wannagoflying]

Larry - Thanks.. I never even look at the newer 1202's when drafting. Pulled a picture from Bill's at Snotrans and I see what your talking about. Will be a easy change for fabrication. Please keep all the thoughts and ideas generating. John

[wannagoflying]

Well.. Three 20lb bottles of argon blend and five trips to the metal store later and it's nearly ready to head out for blast and coating. The 1200A is now a full foot wider and longer, seating for 6-8 persons with a flat bed for gear, clothes and groceries. Worst expense was the rolling for the 1/4" x 2" flat bar for the hammered front end. To date for fabrication materials and consumables I'm at just under $425 for the project. The better half is seeing why we need snowcats after we made a hauling trip to Brian Head, UT to look at a remote lot at 10,200' and just 300' off the slopes. Great deal as only way in during winter is by snowcat.:) Yes that means less neighbors:coolshade The inspiration to finish this project just came alive after our offer to purchase was accepted. Time to get a enclosed circus tent or negotiate for half the garage to finish.

[Snowcat Operations]

Can your guy who fabricated the new fron grill piece make up some more? One of mine is cracked and bent all to hell.

[Snowcat Operations]

Looks like you will have a nice unit! Will you be using the OC4 or OC12 rear diff?

[wannagoflying]

Mike,
Take a picture of what you want fabricated.. I think your talking about the expanded metal grill? I can fab (2) as mine is in about the same shape. What I had American Fab roll was the lower radius section at the bottom under the radiator. All the bolt on items still need to be completed.

I will keep the original OC4 in it for now, but I picked up a complete Ford 200 with a C4 Automatic out of a 68 Mustang. The common theme about the OC4 I keep hear is don't abuse it or overload it.
John

[wannagoflying]

Well it's been a slow year coming on the new design but it's almost ready to head over for blast, prime and paint. Last weekend I moved it from outside to inside the garage as the bulk fabrication and drilling is coming to the end. The punchlist is narrowing down and hope to have off to paint soon. Fitted with a I-6 200cu with C4 Transmission- Hurst Shifter. Rear cabin heater, (2) battery boxes behind passenger and a 55 gallon poly fuel cell. I've been the vulture looking for parts the last year and the bank account is still under budget.

[wannagoflying]

Well not much in the last year but still moving in a forward motion. I keep adding to the new parts list rather than focusing on the frame. Last week hauled to the muffler shop for a new Dynaflow 2" exhaust system. Pulled engine, transmission and exhaust to gut the tunnel. Welded in engine side panels and coped the 4" tubular for the transmission pan. Got to be the day laborer in the blast booth today and nearly finished the frame. Six hours and 800lbs of grit cycled three time over and I'm beat! The powder coater was glad it was me on all that small surface and angle. They hope to load it Monday or Tuesday. Hope to be posting more regular until ski season starts.:smile:

[wannagoflying]

Well after four weeks the powder coater has finally caught up on their work load. It was well worth the wait to see the finished product. I'm glad that I've waited and taken this route. Hope to get back in the garage next week after I get back from the beach with the 6th graders class for a school adventure.

[nikadog]

Hi John, I live in the SF Bay Area, I'm always looking for restoration sources in California for my snow cat. Would you mine sending me your sources for parts and services? I have a 59 thiokol. thanks. Mark.

[wannagoflying]

Mark,
Snowcat Pat has been a huge help with parts for my OC-4 and new axles.. Remote Services in Sac is another good source. Older parts are getting hard to find.
John

[Woody_1]

With the comments from the great forum users, the last and final design is now complete. The cutting of the existing sub frame will now begin. Plan, plan, plan, cut once and weld once. The best of both combined into one SUV. Widen by 18", extend rear deck by 4" and raise the rear roof line by 12" sloping. The seating will be 2 in the front and 4 in the rear, with the ability to fold the rear seating down. Keep the comments coming as the build will always be open to options. Thanks to the great users and comments.
John

Hi I'm new here, I saw your thread of your mods to your thiokol. I like the half cab design also. I'd like to see some pics of the rig finished. Awsome design.:clap:

[wannagoflying]

Woody1 - Thanks for the comments.. The progress has been slow as for fabrication this last year. Just picked up the engine last weeks from the engine builder, .040 bored over, complete bottom end, new rv cam for 1000-3000rpm, new guides and valve job. The cash flow seems to have taken a hit with this four legged 4-H horse project for the kids. I would not trade the learning and fun were having as the kids are growing up way too quick. The snowcat is my sanity project in the garage and the goal to complete is a moving target. I will post some more pictures when I have some real work done. I know you all love the pictures but I've fallen short.

[wannagoflying]

Well I had a mental health day last week at the powder coaters shop. I got to take a weeks frustrations out by prepping all the undercarriage part for coating. All in total (40) pieces, (1) tran-differential, (4) axles, (2) drop box gear cases, (2) axle tubes, (20) axle clamps, (2) main bogie axle ajustments and a pile of misc part.

[Woody_1]

Looking good. Way better than the shadow. To lost in space. :hammer:

[Northcoast]

Just wanted to say that I've really enjoyed following your build, and thanks for posting all the pictures of every step along the way. That machine is going to be awsome!