Recently completed 2 useful upgrades on my 185. Airglass EB-180 carbon fibre extended baggage kit and the Atlee Dodge firewall battery kit. Added a new master solenoid, and a pre-made wiring kit from Pinpoint Harnessing. All components were perfect, excellent craftsmanship. My 185 only had the old “hat rack” so the extended baggage kit adds a bunch of room. For my purposes it’s a must have. Overall, with removal of all applicable original components, I took out 46lbs and added 23 back in. C of G moved ahead just under 2.0”. Will be adding the 3/8” adhesive sound barrier from Spruce. Very happy with the finished product.

Before:


After:

Very nice.
We moved the battery on our ‘73 180 and it helps with forward CG since we fly loaded up quite often.
Q: where are you planning in putting the sound deadening material, and can you link to it?
Thanks,
Johnny

Looks great Kyle. I did the same mod on my 180 and agree that they are must haves. Did you mount the ELT behind the baggage wall? I usuallykunt them up on the side wall in the baggage compartment so they are more easily accessible, but for maintenance and in an emergency.

Looks like a very nice job. That said, I’d move that first aid kit to somewhere a bit more accessible if the worst were to happen.

MTV

Very nice.
We moved the battery on our ‘73 180 and it helps with preserving healthy forward CG since we fly loaded up in the back quite often.
Q: where are you planning in putting the sound deadening material, and can you link to it?
Thanks,
Johnny

Thank you.

Here’s the link. Not sure how well the adhesive holds in the cold, no doubt someone on here has used it and can give some feedback on it.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... ckkey=7775

Hey, thank you.

I actually mounted mine under the floor, just in front of the Stn 140 bulkhead. There was an aluminum rack already riveted in that I believe held the factory autopilot equipment (assumption) which has long been removed. It provided enough clearance to mount the ELT under the new floor. Only 7 screws to access it, out of the way from damage etc and the wiring is well hidden.

upnorth180 wrote:Thank you.

Here’s the link. Not sure how well the adhesive holds in the cold, no doubt someone on here has used it and can give some feedback on it.

I have had it in my 170 for 4 years now with zero sticking issues. As long as both surfaces are warm when applied, it should be fine. Kenai isn’t exactly cold compared to some places, but we ain’t warm either.

upnorth180 wrote:Hey, thank you.

I actually mounted mine under the floor, just in front of the Stn 140 bulkhead. There was an aluminum rack already riveted in that I believe held the factory autopilot equipment (assumption) which has long been removed. It provided enough clearance to mount the ELT under the new floor. Only 7 screws to access it, out of the way from damage etc and the wiring is well hidden.

I did something similar with a Selkirk ext. baggage. Cut a hole in floor over top of ELT, hinged the cutout, put a flange on the other edge and installed a couple cam locks.

MTV

mtv wrote:Looks like a very nice job. That said, I’d move that first aid kit to somewhere a bit more accessible if the worst were to happen.
MTV

Inside surface of baggage door is a good spot for stuff you want readily accessible.