1450 Super Imp rear cab restoration

[Wyfler]

When I purchased my 1450 Super Imp it came coated with some kind of spray on plastic coating. The entire rig inside and out was encapsulated. The longer I've owned it the more it bothered me. Also, with time i've discovered a lot of body damage, some is rust but most was dents. The sides of the rear cab were bent in by a couple inches on each side and sheet metal repairs. Looks like it spent a lot of time on the mountain, bouncing off some trees. On the interior it had old nasty carpet glued to the sagging poly liner stuff. It was disgusting.
So, I decided to do a partial quickie restoration, which has turned into a much bigger project than i expected. But i'm trying to do this in phases, in case we get reports of a mega storm coming I can still get it back to running in time for the big snow. So far the weather is holding.

This is what it looked like when I got it. Old sheet metal, encapsulated with plastic spray on coating, surrounded by aluminum tread plate. Some previous owner decided to put lipstick on a pig, probably to flip it for a quick profit.

 

[Wyfler]

So we started peeling the coating off so we could get to the rivets. It wasnt as bad as i expected. Also am happy to advertise for the previous vendor who i’m assuming is responsible for spraying on this coating. In case you want to do this to your cat lol

 

[PJL]

Looks like spray on bed liner. Looks like crap. That's going to look nice when you are done.

 

[Wyfler]

Next was to get the top off & strip the sheetmetal. The 3/4” angle iron frame had a bunch of bends & warping from impacts.

 

[Wyfler]

Replacing the aluminum, have used 400 rivets so far, had to order 300 more! Lengthened the side windows from 22” to 37” & added another 12”x 12” window behind the driver seat

 

[PJL]

That is looking awesome! You have done some airframe work I'm guessing.

 

[Blackfoot Tucker]

Very Nice! VERY.

Sales Unlimited is better known as SnoTrans, a company that sells used snowcats. They've been in business for many years. The decal tells me it passed through their hands at some point, but I doubt they'd have the machine sprayed with yellow bed liner.

 

[sheep_mtn]

Nice work! Guessing by the Bell banner you are a heli pilot too? I have my private heli license but haven't flown in years. Snowcats are a slightly more affordable hobby! Thanks for sharing your project.

 

[Wyfler]

I'm retired but aviation oriented, I am a private pilot, live on an airpark NE of Denver. My son works for Bell Helicopter in Amarillo. Yes, have driven a few rivets

 

[sheep_mtn]

I may have flown to your air park before. I did my training at KEIK in Erie.

 

[Wyfler]

I may have flown to your air park before. I did my training at KEIK in Erie.

I'm at CO12 Van Aire, 6 miles north of DIA. I used to fly a Maule, then a Cardinal RG, then had a little health issue so i'm sitting out for a bit. My old Maule was on page 58 of Flying magazine last month, looking good

 

[DAVENET]

Replacing the aluminum, have used 400 rivets so far, had to order 300 more! Lengthened the side windows from 22” to 37” & added another 12”x 12” window behind the driver seat

Did your jaw hit the floor when you priced the aluminum sheeting? I was quoted $120 for a sheet of .063 last march and when I finally needed it and pulled the trigger last month is was up to $202!

 

[KickerM]

Nice Work! Aviation Skill Set is invaluable for snowcat work! Steel and Aluminum have gone crazy, I’m lucky I bought my materials last year when I started or I wouldn’t be able to afford it now. I had ”borrowed” a piece of 10 Ga HR Sheet Steel for the ranch and I went to replace it last week, and I paid 2.5X for the same piece! I cant imagine what Aluminum has done….Keep it up before it doubles again!

 

[Wyfler]

I'm very fortunate to have a local aluminum place which is reasonable. Alreco has about a million pounds of aluminum on the shelf. Their pricing is based on their cost, so a bunch of their sheeting is at pre covid pricing. The 4x8 x .040 sheets for the sides were 90 bucks each. The sheets for the top were able to come from a 4'x72" sheets they had a lesser cost. The total for the sheets was 350.00
They are old school, started in the Denver area 39 years ago buying scrap and drops from local industry.

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[Wyfler]

I’m nearly finished with this project. Someday in the future i will remove & refurbish the windshield frame and front cowl. But we got rid of all that evil spray-on plastic encapsulator stuff.
I really like the larger rear windows & new glass. I put in 9 windows in 3 hrs. Was not a fun day…

 

[PJL]

What is the diamond plate material you used and how well does it insulate?

 

[Wyfler]

It's called Exercise mat or gym mat, available at Walmart.com or Lowes or Home Depot. Available in 3 colors. I have not had it out in severe cold, but when I operated it on sunny 28 degree days I did not need to run the heaters.

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[PJL]

What glue did you use? It does look very nice.

 

[Wyfler]

What glue did you use? It does look very nice.

Gorilla glue spray adhesive