Engineless Tucker in CO.

redsqwrl said:

worth you ask?

Dropping 10-15k on a 5 idler tucker that only needs a motor seems Cheap.

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Can I hire you to sell my Tuckers when they're done?

I've been working on document that's essentially a rubber-belted Tucker valuation guide. My snowcat buddy Scott and I came up with the numbers while taking a break from working on Tuckers. It's really just our collective opinion, as we have no factual data on which to support our value estimates, but it's a starting point - and my hope is to create some discussion. Some of the numbers may seem high, but that reflects the relative scarcity of that option, and the desirability of it.

When you get down to it, this is a four door machine with 1500 series tracks. That's it. In my opinion (big disclaimer) used Tuckers of this general vintage that consistently bring the most money are the ones that are highly optioned and in excellent condition. This is not highly optioned.

- Does it have long tracks? No.
- Does it have a factory blade? No.
- Does it have an Allison automatic transmission? No.
- Does it have a Chrysler Loadflite transmission? No.
- Does it have damper wheels in lieu of track slides? No.
- Does it have a factory installed Warn 8274 winch? No.
- Does it have a one-piece tilting hood? No.


So in my opinion the topside potential on a selling price is fairly limited. Sure it's got a slew of new parts that cost a chunk of money, but just because it has a new $350.00 idler wheel does not increase it's value by that amount over a used, but perfectly functional idler wheel. And that's true for all the idler wheels, drive sprockets, belts, etc...


Of of those options I mentioned above, only the hood could be easily added, assuming you could find a nice used one. The winch wouldn't be difficult either, but everything else would be expensive, unless you had a parts machine laying around with those parts in excellent condition.

On further reflection... several years ago I had a conversation with Bill Cook, the former East Coast Tucker dealer, and we talked about what used Tuckers were worth, and the idea of putting the money into one to "restore" it. At the time he had two used 1600 series machines, both about 1977 vintage that had been owned by a NH ski area in his inventory for sale. They hadn't run in a few years and I think he was asking $8,500 for the 1643 and a bit less for the 1642.

His comment was "Unless a machine had an automatic transmission and damper wheels on it already, I wouldn't spend the money on a nice restoration". He felt those options were that desirable...

So it went for 18k+, my neighbor has one he wants 10k for it, I bought his thiokol from him
he used tucker for cabin access, he owns a local auto repair shop & towing business he used the thiokol in the towing bisiness. I can post pictures & find out the stats on the tucker if anyone is interested, not looking for a spiff just passing it along to fellow enthusiasts

Dirtyjoe said:

So it went for 18k+, my neighbor has one he wants 10k for it, I bought his thiokol from him
he used tucker for cabin access, he owns a local auto repair shop & towing business he used the thiokol in the towing bisiness. I can post pictures & find out the stats on the tucker if anyone is interested, not looking for a spiff just passing it along to fellow enthusiasts

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and you couldnt post info earlier LOL

Just found out about it today, told him I’d take the thiokol & he asked me if I new anybody that would be interested in the tucker, I’ll get some pictures & his contact info next week

Dirtyjoe said:

Just found out about it today, told him I’d take the thiokol & he asked me if I new anybody that would be interested in the tucker, I’ll get some pictures & his contact info next week

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I might be interested as well...

I recently purchased 1744 with a Detroit diesel and I must agree it’s absolutely
Amazing ! Guess it shows it’s worth what people pay

So who is the proud new owner?

That’s it!,I’m going to start pulling engines and trannys out of all my Tucker’s
Before I sell them

Ajay1118 said:

I recently purchased 1744 with a Detroit diesel and I must agree it’s absolutely
Amazing ! Guess it shows it’s worth what people pay

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in your opinion a diesel motor is a better fit for it say versus like a 6.0L v8 LS motor?

PJL said:

So who is the proud new owner?

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Mine is a Detroit and it s loud but that’s kinda a kewl factor but it’s also great on fuel , so with that being said a Cummins B4 engine is so
Etching to look at if diesel is something your looking at. Diesel engines are much heavier then regular combustion engine . I tend to lean towards what was Originally in it . But it’s basically up to you it’s your preference . Pros n cons cold starting mine starts at -23 to minus -27 without ether injection being used but it doesn’t like it so I put a hot box on her she loves it !! Red squirrel , Blackfoot , randy might have better info to give you they know a lot about these great machines ! Hope it helps cheers

Dirtyjoe said:

So it went for 18k+, my neighbor has one he wants 10k for it, I bought his thiokol from him
he used tucker for cabin access, he owns a local auto repair shop & towing business he used the thiokol in the towing bisiness. I can post pictures & find out the stats on the tucker if anyone is interested, not looking for a spiff just passing it along to fellow enthusiasts

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I would be interested.

I wasn't able to bid on the GSA Tucker because I couldn't get registered with them (I tried registering on the first day but they are taking their sweet time). Not sure what the deal is.

Nikson said:

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Congratulations Bud. Looking forward to seeing your build this summer.


I'm thinking you find a light weight gas V-8 and automatic for it. Maybe you will get lucky and find a crate of parts stashed in the backseat.



I do a lot of work involving US Gov't run websites and they are truly awful. People that can't get jobs in IT can work for the feds.

Let me know when the tuckers without tracks and pontoons bubble comes. Ready to cash in!

Nikson said:

in your opinion a diesel motor is a better fit for it say versus like a 6.0L v8 LS motor?

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I know where a low miles 6.2 LS motor is.....

That's lighter than the 318 by quite a lot.

Well, I might as well start a thread in the "modifications" section for it and call it - the overpaid engineless 1544 by Nikson... LOL...

But with all jokes aside, hoping to pick it up in a week, gonna go there personally, might as well make trip of it... see our beautiful country in the winter, especially Colorado (love it in the summer as much).

Once I have some info to post, I'll have it for you guys.

At this time - seems like 6.0L LS swap will take place considering all the costs associated as well as its light weight. Fuel efficiency isnt a big deal, I'm not planning to take it across South Pole, but for short runs that I plan to do, I think a reasonable fuel tank with extra cans will do the trick.

This 1544 will be starting a bit of a new life in my hands, I might get a little crazy with it (or not), so dont judge too soon, lets see it in person first...

I confess I lusted after the new track parts, but I just couldn’t make the math work. And that’s using a complete, low hour, stock Tucker powertrain we removed from Snowzilla that should be identical to what came in this machine when it left the factory. We have literally everything on hand from the front of the radiator all the way to the transfer case - and it still didn’t pencil out for us.


(Twine is just to hold the radiator on the skid. Not all parts are in the photo.)

Scott and I have been approached by others about doing work on their snowcats, and have been offered pretty decent money to do so. At the price this sold for, and the anticipated selling price once completed, we’d be trading a lot of labor for the difference in value between new(er) used parts and ones in excellent shape.

I’ve had more projects than I care to admit that were break-even... at best. Maybe after all these years I’ve learned a lesson...

Nikson said:

Well, I might as well start a thread in the "modifications" section for it and call it - the overpaid engineless 1544 by Nikson... LOL...

But with all jokes aside, hoping to pick it up in a week, gonna go there personally, might as well make trip of it... see our beautiful country in the winter, especially Colorado (love it in the summer as much).

Once I have some info to post, I'll have it for you guys.

At this time - seems like 6.0L LS swap will take place considering all the costs associated as well as its light weight. Fuel efficiency isnt a big deal, I'm not planning to take it across South Pole, but for short runs that I plan to do, I think a reasonable fuel tank with extra cans will do the trick.

This 1544 will be starting a bit of a new life in my hands, I might get a little crazy with it (or not), so dont judge too soon, lets see it in person first...

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'love watching what my girlfriend calls sno-cat porn

snowcat is a hell of a drug.

that is a large fuel tank.

sorry we missed you in CO bud! better luck next time. Hope we see that 1544 diesel coming soon.

hey Nikson, saw this and thought of you instantly, your prefect snow cat hauler

you would arrive in style and no one would even notice you at all

wonder if that is lima new york...

It looks like a N.Y. plate but that might be the work of DAVENET. I can’t trust anything I read or see on here anymore. Moving Kristis, full speed la-z-boy snomotors, squirrels getting rid of machines. Strange things happening lately

The logo matches the town trucks, I’ll keep my eyes peeled and ask around. Jeez, strange things lately

Too bad, it looks like they might have already converted the hauler into a ladder truck....

but some crafty photo shopper put AC on the nikson hauler......

I did sell TWO snow cats so far this year..... so as long as we are playing guessing games.

redsqwrl said:

but some crafty photo shopper put AC on the nikson hauler......

I did sell TWO snow cats so far this year..... so as long as we are playing guessing games.

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good for you and keep selling, that DMC 1450 has your name written all over it and no Stockholm syndrome issues.