I love the look of those seats with the springs removed (not to mention the extra headroom). What did you replace them(springs) with, and how did you fasten it? Id love to replace mine with webbing, but with the adjustable seat mechanism I can't fit the seat frame through the throat of my sewing machine.

Much thanks,

Jim

boyfalldown wrote:I love the look of those seats with the springs removed (not to mention the extra headroom). What did you replace them(springs) with, and how did you fasten it? Id love to replace mine with webbing, but with the adjustable seat mechanism I can't fit the seat frame through the throat of my sewing machine.

Much thanks,

Jim

Jim,

Ron Matta called them nylon "blatters." He fits them than heat shrinks them to the subs. I guess its standard practice for what he does. They are very cool and indeed light.

Started in on the TW today.

The C180 came with an XP Mods 10" TW, but after the flight from LA to Boston and comparing the performance between that and the ABW TW I had on the C170, it was an easy decision. Originally had hoped that I was going to be able to use the C170 TW fork on the C180, but of course I wasn't going to be that lucky. A quick call to Wup had a 3400 TW fork kit on its way.

For what its worth.. as most of my flying will be on pavement, I have chosen to run the 4.00x4 tire that was on my C170 in the 3400 TW fork. If I get a bit crazier with my flying, I will swap over the Babybush.

These photos are a bit interesting... Here are some shots comparing the XP Mods 10" vs/ the ABW 3400, the 10" tire vs/ a 4.00x4, and a 4.00x4 vs/ the Babybushwheel.

That's cool.

Sweet update.

I should also quickly talk about the mains for the C180.

Back when I bought the C170, I was hell bend on the idea of "going big or going home." I was convinced that I wanted at least 29's, or even 31's. I think the best help I have gotten in this whole airplane thing has been from ABW in a quick phone conversation with Wup. He could have sold me all the bells and whistles that I was asking for, but instead, talked me down from foolishness and set me up with a set-up that has been (for my particular need) perfect.

So much so that I was able to transfer it all right over to the C180.

For the mains, I am running 8.5x10 Airhawks on ABW 10" wheels. The brakes are Cleveland 199-62 "double puck" with custom SS brake lines. So far on the C170 they have performed flawlessly, and I am looking forward to the ride on the C180.

(note: its not all gravy and pie. The 8.5x10's are heavy. Each tire, tube and wheel is 42.5lbs. For reference, the 6.00x6s that were removed were 16lbs each.)










For what its worth... ABW has the cheapest price around for Cleveland's. I think I paid somewhere around $250 under Spruce for the kit. The best part about buying the kit was that I also have a set of 600 wheels for 8.5x6's (for skiis - another post)

Also thought this might be interesting... an 8.5x10 vs/ an 8.5x6

where's my popcorn? This is interesting.

I'm loving these progress reports! Keep it up, please!!

Hi Bigrenna,

Where did you get those black Cessna seatcovers, those look nice; I may need to score some for my 170B !

I did a similar project on my 185 about 6 years ago, at least phase one anyway. It took a couple more years after that to do the seats, panel, etc. as I wanted to keep it flying. Power to weight is key so keep them light!

http://www.185ml.com/interior/mx2006/

-Mike

bigrenna wrote: The best part about buying the kit was that I also have a set of 600 wheels for 8.5x6's (for skiis - another post)

Do some research before you plan to run 8.50 x 6.00 tires on retractable wheel skis, or on penetration skis. Depending on the type of ski, ANY tire that protrudes down below the ski bottom WILL create a huge amount of drag. Also, on retractable wheel skis, you may need a different rigger arm to make the ski work on the larger diameter tire, again, depending on the model of ski. Also, you want to verify that the skis are approved (compatible) with 8.50 tires.

Finally, with penetration skis there will be a lot of tire protruding below the ski bottom with 8.50s, depending on whether the skis have some adjustment in their pedestal height. And, as noted, ANY tire sticking down below the ski bottom is going to create huge drag.

My retractable wheel skis with 8.50s on the mains allow some tire to protrude below the ski bottoms, and those skis do not want to perform with that much tire below the ski. I'm too lazy to switch to 8.00 tires for ski ops, but I'm not using the skis hard any more in any case. Great way to get stuck.

You're doing a great job refurbishing these airplanes. Keep on posting.

MTV

Thanks. Good info on the tires.

I'm pretty far away from the step, but I will plan for 800s rather than the 8.50s

G-

A185F wrote:I did a similar project on my 185 about 6 years ago, at least phase one anyway. It took a couple more years after that to do the seats, panel, etc. as I wanted to keep it flying. Power to weight is key so keep them light!

http://www.185ml.com/interior/mx2006/

-Mike

Thanks Mike. I certainly have spent a bit of time going thru all your photos and have been inspired to go the distance. I appreciate your posting them when you did. I think its so important for the community to do stuff like that. Its the reason I try to do it.

Best,

Greg-

I am really digging the main gear tire and wheel setup, its going to make it look sharp, and I think they gave you good advice on the setup.

Added an LED nav bulb. I am a big fan of LEDs. Eventually everything that can have an LED bulb, will.

Awesome job on the post and pics. Even better job on the work. The quality is great. You doing this yourself? Your going to end up spending as much time replying to our posts and questions as you will on the work. Really enjoying this. Thanks!

Interresting on the facts.. My 29 11 10's weigh 43 lbs each.. yeah heavy but about the same as your 8 50's.. although mine are shaved which , I'm told , takes off about 10 lbs...my 29's measure 26and a half inches from floor to top of tire mounted on the plane.. and I was once told the 8.50 10's are the same size as 26x6's...forget who told me that, might have been Wup...good you are working with him .. can't get better than Wup and ABW...

bigrenna wrote:

Started in on the TW today.

The C180 came with an XP Mods 10" TW, but after the flight from LA to Boston and comparing the performance between that and the ABW TW I had on the C170, it was an easy decision. Originally had hoped that I was going to be able to use the C170 TW fork on the C180, but of course I wasn't going to be that lucky. A quick call to Wup had a 3400 TW fork kit on its way.

I also thought that I would be able to re-use the innards of my TW, but once it was disassembled, it was obvious that it was going to need a full rebuild.

For what its worth.. as most of my flying will be on pavement, I have chosen to run the 4.00x4 tire that was on my C170 in the 3400 TW fork. If I get a bit crazier with my flying, I will swap over the Babybush.






These photos are a bit interesting... Here are some shots comparing the XP Mods 10" vs/ the ABW 3400, the 10" tire vs/ a 4.00x4, and a 4.00x4 vs/ the Babybushwheel.

ylur last picture of the two tail wheels.. ais that a 400 on the left vs the abw baby on the right or the 10 on the left.. looks like the 10 inch

iceman wrote:

bigrenna wrote:

ylur last picture of the two tail wheels.. ais that a 400 on the left vs the abw baby on the right or the 10 on the left.. looks like the 10 inch

the last photo is the 400x4 (left) next to a babybushwheel (right)

Looks good!

Hope you were out flying today! it was perfect!

Tom