Converting to a 5 man cab!

[KickerM]

Howdy all,
Started this project of converting my SV-250 from a 2 man cab to a 5 Man Cab, I want to make it as close to factor as possible so who out there can tell me the measurements...

Total Length of cab and Width of the rear door?

THANK YOU in advance!!!

[KickerM]

Anybody out there? If you are measuring it, I also was wondering what the window dimensions are?
Thanks again!
And no the SV-252 in the picture is not mine, or I would just go measure it!

[topwelder44]

when I did my 252 I put a rear cab all the way back and opened the back of the cab up---flt. beds do nothing but collect snow--- we would pack a bunch of people in it and go bar hopping----ill have to fire up my other computer and post a pic. of it

[KickerM]

I have considered that also, but occasionally need to haul feed out to the cattle if the snow gets too deep, so how heavy a rack would I need to build on the top?

[Pontoon Princess]

just a silly tucker sno-cat owner chiming in, why not build a wonderful roomy cab, and then build a tow behind, over the snow, trailer for your other purposes and needs...

[KickerM]

Lots of good ideas here! I would love the idea of a Full Man Cab, just not practical for me. I'm going to put a dump bed on the back so its easy to unload, weather it be firewood, hay, or a bunch of Rowdy Snowboarders

Heres a pic now that I got the back of the cab off! Along with a mock up of the Door Jamb and Roof Edge Pieces I need to make... Off to the Fab Shop!

[dep6113]

make sure you keep an eye on how your going to route the exhaust and get the hot air out from the radiator out under the cab---it will build heat pretty fast . i started with two basic electric fans and had to upgrade to high flow units which needed a 105 amp alternator instead of a 60 amp alternator.

[KickerM]

Good Ideas! So did you remove your mechanical fan to save on power? Could a person mount the fans on the engine side of the radiator blowing out(forward) instead of blowing through the radiator then over the engine? Or would pulling the warm air from around the engine and through the raidiator be too warm to do any good? Because I’m pulling the engine and having it all gone through as long as I’m this far into it! Thanks!

[KickerM]

Well Now I done it! It appers that the oil pan had a little bit of oil on it...so that requires a new gasket which you guessed it, I must take out the motor to replace so...well I'm this far into it I might as well go through the whole engine and transmission at this point!

Does anybody know the part number or cross reference for the radiator out there? It has been mentioned (Thanks dep6113!) that I need to maximize cooling and nothing cools better than a new radiator!

[topwelder44]

build your new cab all the way back----a box or flt. bed on the back does nothing but collect snow---or fall off----this was yesterday out doing trail work----and you can be sure that the next day its not below zero my tractor will be taking it the rest of the way off and to the burn pile

[topwelder44]

this was my sv252 I redid------I opened the cab up between cab and box---I also made it so I could pull box and reinstall back of the cab if I ever wanted to run with out the rear cabin----and yes air flow is key---I also ran the tail pipe next to drive shaft and out the back---I run heated pans on my drags-------second pic. having a few on a nice winter day---my cabin had top hatch and built in rops.

[KickerM]

Looks awesome! How did you do your fuel tank and your hydraulic reservoir?, I like the outside tool boxes on the sides! Thanks

[topwelder44]

they are still in the same spot behind cab on each side---I put a filler panel in between cab and box----if u look there is an opening to help let hot air out on each side-----on the inside of the box/cab---the tool boxes were the bench seats down each side----It was so much fun putting a crew in that thing and go party in it---it was neat having frt. cab opened up to the rear cab----when we would pull into a bar with it loaded with people it was way cooler than a limo---hell----we could even switch drivers with out stopping

[dep6113]

I removed the mechanical because the bearings were bad in the idler and i didn't want to mess with it. i replaced my radiator with an aluminum radiator i got off of ebay-- I looked but i can t find the number, just went off of measurements and hose positions, i think it was for a ford. I like the fact that electric fans give high flow when the engine is idling.
thought about changing airflow direction but didn't think it would be good trying to push it out when you are driving down the road.
my fans are on the inside pulling air in with a snug fitting shroud

[KickerM]

Now that the motor is in the shop I can focus on actually rebuilding it! Plus its -20F below outside so when the shop is 30F; it is great inside! I have figured out that Bombardier built these things LIGHT, and that is an understatement...I will be adding some key gussets to the tub, to get it 50+ more years of service!

Anyone else have Bombi tubs that are cracked out from flexation?

I welded 3" angle iron down the sides of the tub to give much needed top frame support. It will make the entire snowcat more rigid from the motor cradle to the Differentials being able withstand the harsh demanding working conditions!

The second pic is the rear 2x4" tube cut off flush with the tub so the angle iron can extend past the old frame to make the new frame

The Last Pic is of the much improved access hatches, the blue is the old size the red is my New and Improved Access Hatches! I plan on making the new covers out of possibly 12 or 10ga so they can take some abuse, yet provide full access to the transmission and back of the motor if ever needed! The notches are for the Transmission mounts and Front Motor mount.

[Blackfoot Tucker]

KickerM, you have my condolences. It appears you've been bit, and bit badly, by the "project creep" bug.

I'll warn you, though it's probably too late, it can get out of hand very quickly, and I speak from experience.

Good luck!

[KickerM]

Yeah this kinda started out as a floormat cleaning project...I think the project creep bug was a venomous millipede with the antidote coming from a traveling snake oil salesman...The only cure is to do it right and get all the way down to the bare ground and work my way back up....I have this other condition where when I do things they have to be done right, and only the best will do...no cutting corners!