https://backcountrypilot.org/features/c ... ifications

*Great* article, Zzz. I like that the mindset extends beyond the specific mods you mention to just about anything that can be done to the airplane. I’ve done some mods, but not many. I’m more inclined to buy an airplane that someone else has properly modified for my mission, and this article is very applicable to that pursuit as well.

Thanks also to everyone you quoted in the article. I try not to be ‘that guy’ who posts questions that have already been answered here. I’ve had lots of questions over the years, but 98% of the time you gurus have already answered and documented them in detail here on the forum.

I also think it was a great article, especially since I am one of those that seems to want to modify everything I buy. Must be the old hot rodder in me. I think the 'best bang for the buck' of all the mods done over the years might be the Stiene Sportsmans cuff.
My old 172 was pretty much bone stock with the O-300. In this video, my son was flying the plane before it was sold. 220' takeoff! Engine was at 1300SMOH if I recall.

Zzzz, I wonder if you have ever been to this airport!


https://cdn2.imagearchive.com/homebuilt ... DZF7jrJwRr

I don't understand how anyone would regret a sportsman cuff.

I run big tires. Do I NEED them, no. But, just because you aren't landing on rutted or rocky, or truly rough ground does not make them just a fashion statement. It gets you lots more prop clearance, reduces stress on the airframe, I think they work great on ice and shallow snow, and no tubes to shear valve stems. They do slow me down, but why do I care? I am not in a hurry, if I were in a hurry I wouldn't be flying a 180.

I think there is just as much of a WISH I HAD done some mod while it was apart. I wish I had done an ADSB transponder when I redid my panel, but I had a tailbeacon and at the time it was working. I wish I had bought the Quasar wing tips when I needed new wing tips.

I didn't do the mod, it was on the plane when I bought it, but I have 185 legs on my '53. While I have never flown an early 180 with the correct gear legs. I have been in a few, they sure flex more which is probably good on rough ground. Seems to me that gear legs for a 185 with a gross of 3200? are a bit stiff for a 2550 gross airplane. And they add like 7 or 8 pounds.

StillLearning wrote:.....I didn't do the mod, it was on the plane when I bought it, but I have 185 legs on my '53. While I have never flown an early 180 with the correct gear legs. I have been in a few, they sure flex more which is probably good on rough ground. Seems to me that gear legs for a 185 with a gross of 3200? are a bit stiff for a 2550 gross airplane. And they add like 7 or 8 pounds.

I've 185 gear legs on my 53 also, previous owner put them on.
I agree about them maybe being too stiff for a light 180.
If they had to be upgraded, a set of -3 & -4 legs off the 55-56 model would be more appropriate imho.
I've heard people bad-mouth the original -1 & -2 ("wheels aft") gear legs--
I've never flown a 180 with those, but I know several people who have them & they don't seem unhappy with them.
My old 180 has a fair number of other mods done by previous owners--
while I don't think I regret any of them, there are a couple I wouldn't have chosen to do.

Thanks, RegulrGuy. Seeing this and the 26 vs 29 thread today reminded me of something I omitted—the Skywagon gear leg flutter with some bigger tires. Just an example of having all the info first.

The article could probably be three times as long, but it's not really meant to catalog every single potential regret, just a conversation starter/make ya think kind of piece.

I can't say I have really regretted any of my mods. Pretty standard 170 wish list.

Atllee rear seats - awesome but I would probably only do one next time. Had 4 people in it maybe three times.

80-42 climb prop and Sportsman- both great but really made me want that sea level/light/low DA performance all the time

Extended baggage - easier less disciplined packing.

Goodyear 26 good enough compromise for me.

Fat tailwheel - this I did regret, never got it to not shimmy, even taxiing. Rarely put it on, and now it will go on the cub.

O-360 and constant speed. Most fun, really makes a 170 where I want it. Pretty much the perfect plane for me. Ive never wanted a 180, despite almost everyone telling me that I do ad nauseam.

I've resisted doing the panel, it flies fine with what I have, and paint is definitely showing signs of age.

But owning a 170B been 15 years of sheer delight for me.

One thing that makes it tough when contemplating a mod....
most people who sink big money into a mod don't want to admit,
even to themselves, that it really didn't meet their expectations.
So IMHO you need to take "before-and-after" pireps with a grain of salt.

hotrod180 wrote:One thing that makes it tough when contemplating a mod....
most people who sink big money into a mod don't want to admit,
even to themselves, that it really didn't meet their expectations.
So IMHO you need to take "before-and-after" pireps with a grain of salt.

Spot on!

Amazing article, I spent a long time modifying my 180, it was just Mod-to-Mod. some good, some bad, this article is great in many ways! well written.

Great article. Lots of good points. We have added a lot of Mods to our C180J over the last 50 years and don't regret any of them, some have added weight and some have reduced weight, overall it has added a fair amount. BUT it is now much more mission capable, by quite a margin.
O520, Sportsman, VG’s, 3 Blade MT, 8.50x10’s mains, 404 fat tire tail wheel. Belly Pod, 206 centre seats, Flat floor extended baggage, 185 tail with GW upgrade, EarthX on the firewall, Remote Airwolf filter, Bass Harnesses, V brace, Updated VFR Panel with no vaccum pump, etc,etc. 1900 lbs empty. More like a 185 now I guess.