PA-18 Rebuild

[Gary Ward]

I've got a Super Cub/160HP project going and have a few questions;

1. Gear: Does Cubcrafters make a 3x3 gear that is STC'd for Certified? Tried calling them today but no response and no info on their website.
2. If they do, how does it compare with the 3" extended gear by Airframes Alaska?
3. I need all new cowling, boot to spinner; where is the best place to get it, best price, etc?
4. I need all new engine baffling: where is best source and price. Univair want's $2100 for the complete set. It seems stupid to have to pay this for engine baffling and get an aileron for less than $1000!
Thanks,
Gary

 

[RaisedByWolves]

http://www.airforms.biz makes some great fitting baffles.

Cubcrafters has +3 which is just taller and the 3x3 which is taller and raked forward.

 

[12Geezer2]

Yes indeed: Randy Rubbert does EXCELLENT work ---geezer Dan

 

[Gary Ward]

To PA-22/20-160 and 12Geezer2. Good advice. I had a nice conversation with Randy yesterday and he told me all about the cowling and it sounds like the way to go. But I came away not certain it is ok for a Certified Super Cub. He mentioned that his bottom cowl design makes it much easier to remove.

So, what about it? is it ok to use his baffling and cowls on Certified? Can it be considered a "minor alteration". If I was doing all the work myself, I wouldn't worry about it but I have someone else doing the work.

Also, I talked with Brian at Dakota Cub. He has a PMA'd composite nose bowl at a fraction of Univair's Alum. one. I have not problem with composites. My MX2 is all Carbon Fiber. Pitts have composite nose bowls.

Gary

 

[slowjunk]

What makes Randy's lower cowl and air box better than original? I have heard the baffling is superior because it is strong where the rear mounted oil cooler mounts, but I have not heard specifically what makes the lower cowl and air box superior. Does anyone have any pictures for reference?

 

[Steve Pierce]

3" extended gear:
Atlee Dodge is what I use. Never had an alignment issue and great service out of these gear. Available in 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" axles. 1 1/2" axles are almost 200% stronger than stock gear.

Airframes gear looks nice but several years ago we started measuring them and found the alignment different from left to right. They now build their gear with machined fittings that fit into the tubing instead of the conventional gussets and doublers. Not sure if the jigs have changed.

Cub Crafters makes a 3" extended as well as a 3" extend and 3" forward. The forward gear puts more weight on the tail for heavy breaking. Not sure I want more weight on my tail with an O-320. The axles are machined out of solid billed rather than a piece of .125" x 1.25" 4130 tubing.

Airframes and Cub Crafters gear have 1 1/4" axles. You need to get lower shock strust from the gear manuacturer. They are not interchangable.

We have had great service out of Airforms baffles and they fit well. Have been around several airplanes with Randy Rupert baffles and the we're first class with reinforcements in the areas that crack and chafe.

Lower cowls tend to crack over time. Randy's looks like it will last longer to me. Would be nice having repaired lots of stock lower cowls.

 

[Gary Ward]

Thanks Tom. Question: Is the Cubcrafters 3X3 STC'd for a Certified Cub?

 

[Steve Pierce]

Thanks Tom. Question: Is the Cubcrafters 3X3 STC'd for a Certified Cub?

Yes, they are STC"d.

 

[Steve Pierce]

http://www.cubcrafters.com/news/29-cubcrafters-awarded-new-stc-for-extended-landing-gear

 

[Steve Pierce]

For sale.
http://store.cubcrafters.com/3X3-ST...ear-Set-for-PA-18-series-aircraft_p_1300.html

 

[Gary Ward]

3" extended gear:
Atlee Dodge is what I use. Never had an alignment issue and great service out of these gear. Available in 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" axles. 1 1/2" axles are almost 200% stronger than stock gear.

Airframes gear looks nice but several years ago we started measuring them and found the alignment different from left to right. They now build their gear with machined fittings that fit into the tubing instead of the conventional gussets and doublers. Not sure if the jigs have changed.

Cub Crafters makes a 3" extended as well as a 3" extend and 3" forward. The forward gear puts more weight on the tail for heavy breaking. Not sure I want more weight on my tail with an O-320. The axles are machined out of solid billed rather than a piece of .125" x 1.25" 4130 tubing.

Airframes and Cub Crafters gear have 1 1/4" axles. You need to get lower shock strust from the gear manuacturer. They are not interchangable.

We have had great service out of Airforms baffles and they fit well. Have been around several airplanes with Randy Rupert baffles and the we're first class with reinforcements in the areas that crack and chafe.

Lower cowls tend to crack over time. Randy's looks like it will last longer to me. Would be nice having repaired lots of stock lower cowls.

Thanks Steve. Very good info. Looks like the Atlee Dodge is considerably less expensive than Cubcrafters on the gear.

I'm thinking of going with AOSS suspension. Does that come with Shock struts or does it use existing ones?

Gary

 

[Steve Pierce]

The lower shock struts are a part of the assembly for the ASOS shock system.

 

[Gary Ward]

I'm going to need all new glass for this Super Cub. Are there alternatives to Univair as they seem pretty expensive? I didn't see it on any of the other main sites.

Thanks,

Gary

 

[Aerodon]

Try lpaero, Great Lakes and cee Bailey. All make complete kits, some make wide body windshields and l21. Don

 

[skywagon8a]

I'm going to need all new glass for this Super Cub. Are there alternatives to Univair as they seem pretty expensive? I didn't see it on any of the other main sites.

Thanks,

Gary

Are these folks near you? http://www.professionalplastics.com/contact

 

[Gary Ward]

Try lpaero, Great Lakes and cee Bailey. All make complete kits, some make wide body windshields and l21. Don

Thanks, I will check this out.

Gary

 

[Gary Ward]

Are these folks near you? http://www.professionalplastics.com/contact

Looks like they have a place in Atlanta which is about 2 hour drive W of me. They have Super Cub glass?

Thanks,

Gary

 

[PIPER J5.5]

LP aero smoked plexiglass is my favorite.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

If i remember right, i put a great lakes aero plastics windshield in mine, and it fit nicely, hardly had to trim it. You can make the side windows

 

[AirmasterC165]

What are the boot cowl options to buy other than Univair? I need a boot with all the firewall bolt-ons for my rebuild.

 

[skywagon8a]

Looks like they have a place in Atlanta which is about 2 hour drive W of me. They have Super Cub glass?

Thanks,

Gary

Call them before the drive. Maybe they will even cut it for you. Call a nearby commercial glass outfit. Maybe they also have a nearer source for the plexi. That's how I found my source.

I bought the plexi for my Cub in 4' x 8' sheets at a supplier in Boston 1/2 hour drive from me. It was a little over $100 per sheet depending on the tint. It is the same materiel that you would buy from a Univair "airplane" supplier. Cut it on a table and band saw, sand the edges smooth to remove crack potential. My source also sold me a heat tape so that I could bend in the crease for the L-21 skylight. I bent the landing light lenses in the oven over a mold.

 

[mvivion]

One more point for Randy Rubbert's lower cowls and air boxes: Randy rebuilt my air box after it wore through. The way he builds the airboxes, they'll last at least twice as long....very good quality and well thought out.

MTV

 

[cubdriver2]

I think the plexi in every Cub is a little different size. If your windows fit now it's easy to trace and cut out new ones yourself. And cheaper.

Glenn

 

[RaisedByWolves]

I think the plexi in every Cub is a little different size. If your windows fit now it's easy to trace and cut out new ones yourself. And cheaper.

Glenn

You can use some heavy posterboard cut to fit and transfer to your sheet of plexi