7SS Tricycle to Tail Dragger Conversion?

[Utah-Jay]

How tough is it to convert a trike to a dragger? Worth the trouble as a I am in Utah and looking to land in remote areas for fishing.

Thanks in advance

[Bartman1959]

Andrew (Andy) Toth did his a couple of years ago. Message him and find out the details. I know he loves it so much he'd never change it back.

[patrick.hvac]

Search 'nose gear conversion' there are several threads about this. Seems to be a relatively common question.
From my recollection.. a model 7 is quite an easy swap. Move the grove to the forward mounting points and bolt on the tail wheel.
I think it's the 5 vixen and previous that it was a challenging proposal.

[desertdave]

Desertfox4 and I converted mine in about half a day. Attach the tailwheel, move the main gear, remove the nose gear and rerun the brake lines.
Model 6 and 7 have both sets of main gear mounts. The model 5 is a cut and weld project.

IMG_5745.jpg

[Utah-Jay]

Thanks guys

[BillCuster]

How tough is it to convert a trike to a dragger? Worth the trouble as a I am in Utah and looking to land in remote areas for fishing.

Thanks in advance

You know tricycles can land in remote, areas too, right? Did you ever do this conversion?

[jiott]

It's quite easy; I have never done it, but a friend of mine did. Well worth it in my opinion.

[BillCuster]

Desertfox4 and I converted mine in about half a day. Attach the tailwheel, move the main gear, remove the nose gear and rerun the brake lines.
Model 6 and 7 have both sets of main gear mounts. The model 5 is a cut and weld project.

IMG_5745.jpg

How did you support the aircraft while you moved the main gear? engine hoist? wing jacks? do you have pics? Thanks!

[Rodney]

Built a heavy duty sawhorse with plywood reinforcement. Going to the airport later today and I'll take a picture.

Lifted up via engine mount with an engine lift while a friend held the wing level. Put 27.5 Desser tires with 8" Matco wheels and double puck brakes. Put a T3 tailwheel suspension with a Tundra Lite 10" tailwheel. It locks and unlocks - nice for long taxi's in the wind. Great combination. There is a wire that runs from the pin in the tailwheel to the cockpit. If you ever need any extra wire - ie cut it too short or anything - email me. I have about 200 feet of extra wire. It always takes me twice to get things right. LOL

Tailwheel is so much fun.

Regards
Rodney

[desertdave]

How did you support the aircraft while you moved the main gear? engine hoist? wing jacks? do you have pics? Thanks!

I borrowed a cradle lift (bottom right of the picture) from a friend but you can make one with a sturdy saw horse and a couple of bottle jacks