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crazyivan
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 62
Location: Pensacola
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 Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 7:02 pm Post subject: Kitfox Upgrades |
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To the "experts" on this list (self-proclaimed or otherwise) I am planning on doing some upgrades to my Speedster. I want to get your take on them, especially if you have first-hand knowledge, and tell me (us all) if they are worth the money/work.
-Solid Lexan turtledeck. The original one leaks.
-KingFox tundra tires.
-8" Pneumatic Matco tailwheel (instead of the rubber puck)
-Oil thermostat for the 914UL. I have aluminum tape on it now for the winter but the temp decreases considerably when I'm in a power-off descent.
-A cargo pod or those under-the-seat storage bins that Kitfox has on their website. Which one do you like better?
Whaddya think?
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Dave
Piper PA-22/20 |
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Fox5flyer
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| Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 4:15 am Post subject: Kitfox Upgrades |
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All of those sound like nice upgrades Dave, but ask yourself just one
question. Are they necessary? The reason I say this is because every one
of them adds weight. I can't speak personally for the under seat bins, but
my recollection is that they're a PITA just to get to.
| Quote: | From one who added too many unnecessary things.
Deke
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| Quote: |
To the "experts" on this list (self-proclaimed or otherwise) I am planning
on doing some upgrades to my Speedster. I want to get your take on them,
|
especially if you have first-hand knowledge, and tell me (us all) if they
are worth the money/work.
| Quote: |
-Solid Lexan turtledeck. The original one leaks.
-KingFox tundra tires.
-8" Pneumatic Matco tailwheel (instead of the rubber puck)
-Oil thermostat for the 914UL. I have aluminum tape on it now for the
winter but the temp decreases considerably when I'm in a power-off descent.
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| Quote: | -A cargo pod or those under-the-seat storage bins that Kitfox has on their
website. Which one do you like better?
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| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
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Lynn Matteson
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan
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| Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 8:39 am Post subject: Kitfox Upgrades |
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I added one "under-seat" bin, on the passenger side, and it works
ok....PITA to install, but not too bad to use. The seat must be empty
of course, but after that it's just a matter of (in my plane, that is)
lifting the seat cushion/upholstery and lifting the hinged lid. I keep
my fuel sump drain device, a funnel, a few tools, a rag, windshield
cleaner, and a quart of oil if I'm heading far away...a "flat" quart
that is...a "round" quart won't fit. There is a little room left, but
not much, because it's a tapered compartment.
Lynn
On Tuesday, December 5, 2006, at 07:14 AM, Fox5flyer wrote:
| Quote: |
All of those sound like nice upgrades Dave, but ask yourself just one
question. Are they necessary? The reason I say this is because every
one
of them adds weight. I can't speak personally for the under seat
bins, but
my recollection is that they're a PITA just to get to.
> From one who added too many unnecessary things.
Deke
>
> To the "experts" on this list (self-proclaimed or otherwise) I am
> planning
on doing some upgrades to my Speedster. I want to get your take on
them,
especially if you have first-hand knowledge, and tell me (us all) if
they
are worth the money/work.
>
> -Solid Lexan turtledeck. The original one leaks.
> -KingFox tundra tires.
> -8" Pneumatic Matco tailwheel (instead of the rubber puck)
> -Oil thermostat for the 914UL. I have aluminum tape on it now for the
winter but the temp decreases considerably when I'm in a power-off
descent.
> -A cargo pod or those under-the-seat storage bins that Kitfox has on
> their
website. Which one do you like better?
>
> Whaddya think?
>
> --------
> Dave
> Speedster 912 UL
>
>
> Read this topic online here:
>
> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=79193#79193
>
>
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Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM |
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MHastedt
Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 14
Location: College Station, TX
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| Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 9:32 am Post subject: Kitfox Upgrades |
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I also bought the under-seat bin, but opted to cut out the front of it instead. I installed a fabric front panel with elastic at the top so that I can just reach in, but it keeps stuff from coming out accidentally. I wanted to be able to access it in flight even with a passenger present. You're right, not much space, but it's good for maps and fuel strainers and stuff like that. The "big stuff" goes in the baggage sack. For that I made a lightweight stiffening frame out of 3/8" aluminum tubing with some thin plastic pop-riveted to it as a floor. Didn't want anything rubbing on the controls. In hindsight, I would just install the baggage sack.
My $.02,
Margaret H.
Classic IV N3076U
College Station, TX
I added one "under-seat" bin, on the passenger side, and it works
ok....PITA to install, but not too bad to use. The seat must be empty
of course, but after that it's just a matter of (in my plane, that is)
lifting the seat cushion/upholstery and lifting the hinged lid. I keep
my fuel sump drain device, a funnel, a few tools, a rag, windshield
cleaner, and a quart of oil if I'm heading far away...a "flat" quart
that is...a "round" quart won't fit. There is a little room left, but
not much, because it's a tapered compartment.
Lynn
On Tuesday, December 5, 2006, at 07:14 AM, Fox5flyer wrote:
| Quote: |
All of those sound like nice upgrades Dave, but ask yourself just one
question. Are they necessary? The reason I say this is because every
one <snip>
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kitfoxmike
Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373
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| Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:17 am Post subject: Re: Kitfox Upgrades |
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I for one would like to go to the plexy rear, but, haven't done it yet.
The oil thermostate, I installed one and feel that is the best thing I've put on the engine, period. Even works great in the summer time, I start the engine, and before I get to the runway it's ready to go, about 5 minutes. In the winter time, I'm talking currently 25 degrees, it takes about 15 minutes, maybe a little sooner. But I'm assured that the engine is running at around 180-220 all the time, no matter what time of year, no more putting tape on the cooler in the winter and quick warm ups, I love it. I also have the 912ul
The under seat, I want to but haven't done that one either, I like the fact that items I don't use, but need, can be put in an area that ain't gonna affect weight and balance, just gross weight.
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crazyivan
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 62
Location: Pensacola
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| Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:25 pm Post subject: Re: Kitfox Upgrades |
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Thanks for the responses so far.
FoxFlyer - I think like you...weight is bad.
- So I think I might go with a removable cargo pod instead of the seat things. Use it only for long trips.
- As for the lexan turtle deck, It's probably a bit heavier but my original deck leaks water like a screen door when she's parked in the rain.
- I'm not sure but I think that the Maule pneumatic tailwheel is lighter than the solid rubber puck that's on there now.
- Big ole' tundra tires because they look cool and taxiing/takeoff/landing on rough strips would be less harsh than on my John Deere tractor tires.
- Thermostat for the reason that KitfoxMike wrote. Maine winters will keep my flow-through oil cooler way to cold on descents.
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Dave
Piper PA-22/20 |
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dave
Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382
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| Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:34 pm Post subject: Kitfox Upgrades |
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Just so that you know , Matco has a 6 inch pneumatic now too.......... and
it an turned 6061 wheel not cast. I think the 8 inch is cast.
Dave
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Fox5flyer
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 2:38 pm Post subject: Kitfox Upgrades |
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About the only thing I can take issue with is the Maule tailwheel. The hard
rubber type is a 6" unit and I think it's about a pound lighter than the
pneumatic type which is an 8" inch unit. Have you considered the Home
Builders Special? Very light and soft rubber for a better ride. Might even
be lighter than the Maule 6 inch.
I can't argue with the thermostat. Quick warmups and not having to screw
around with covers for the radiator/oil cooler is a good thing.
Deke
| Quote: |
Thanks for the responses so far.
FoxFlyer - I think like you...weight is bad.
- So I think I might go with a removable cargo pod instead of the seat
things. Use it only for long trips.
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| Quote: | - As for the lexan turtle deck, It's probably a bit heavier but my
original deck leaks water like a screen door when she's parked in the rain.
|
| Quote: | - I'm not sure but I think that the Maule pneumatic tailwheel is lighter
than the solid rubber puck that's on there now.
|
| Quote: | - Big ole' tundra tires because they look cool and taxiing/takeoff/landing
on rough strips would be less harsh than on my John Deere tractor tires.
|
| Quote: | - Thermostat for the reason that KitfoxMike wrote. Maine winters will
keep my flow-through oil cooler way to cold on descents.
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| Quote: |
--------
Dave
Speedster 912 UL
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MichaelGibbs(at)cox.net
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:17 am Post subject: Kitfox Upgrades |
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Deke sez:
| Quote: | I can't speak personally for the under seat bins, but my
recollection is that they're a PITA just to get to.
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I found them to be quite handy for things like a bottle of fuel
additive, a quart of oil, and a couple of hand tools. I used the
ones that Murle Williams sells on his web site
<http://MurleWilliamsAviation.com/catalog.html>. Obviously, they are
not meant for items needed in flight.
I can't say for sure, but the way the bins were flattened during my
accident suggests that they also offered a small amount of energy
absorption that may have contributed to preventing more serious back
injuries for my passenger and I.
Dave sez:
| Quote: | ...I think I might go with a removable cargo pod instead of the seat
things. Use it only for long trips.
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A cargo pod is great if you have a need for one, I'm interested in
one myself. When attached, though, the pod weighs more than underseat
compartments and adds drag.
Margaret sez:
| Quote: | I wanted to be able to access it in flight even with a passenger
present. ...not much space, but it's good for maps and fuel
strainers and stuff like that.
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That sort of thing goes in my glove box.
Mike G.
N728KF
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