• Please be sure to read the rules and adhere to them. Some banned members have complained that they are not spammers. But they spammed us. Some even tried to redirect our members to other forums. Duh. Be smart. Read the rules and adhere to them and we will all get along just fine. Cheers. :beer: Link to the rules: https://www.forumsforums.com/threads/forum-rules-info.2974/

Thiokol Imp 1402 OpenTop # 129 by Nikson

Re: aircooled cab heat

now that everything is on... and we are ready to proceed to the next step...

Bill's words (fron Snotrans.com) come to my mind...

"Nik, it will be pretty warm in there from the engine, you wont have to worry about being cold, thats for sure...!!!"

Now, I have to figure a design for an air escape route from the top of the engine, thinking either going the route of the "Fan-tastic Fan" RV style top roof hatch... or something a bit more tricky and wacky... :wow:
for now, this is how it all is...

VIDEO - yes, I might seem a bit excited... and yes, I speak Russian (since this was for my Russian online blog on another site)...

mostly, picture speaks a 1000 words... right?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyXzGE-XyYo&feature=share&list=UUiTvqT1musPzdkZJT3OyHHg"]Thiokol Imp 1402 snowcat camper - YouTube[/ame]
 
Re: 1st snow run of this year

this was my first snowrun on my Wrangler...

I was hoping I would have the cat done already.

I guess thats what Jeeps are for...

p.s. higher elevations are already pretty impassible on a wheeled vehicle...

a2c805u-960.jpg


for those who like the videos...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jDyqaDOAJ8"]Olallie Lake Snowrun November 2012 - YouTube[/ame]
 
Re: Lights...

light install...

2 LED beacons
4 front Rigid Industries Dually LED (2 flood/2 spot)
2 driver cab top mount rear red LED
2 under bed rear red LED
1 GoLight - (no picture yet)

P1020209.JPG


slowly getting some "meat" on her... not such a simple-n-plain look

IMG_3126.jpg


IMG_3127.jpg


IMG_3128.jpg


side view with the basket carrier

IMG_3130.jpg


I guess I just got to redo my tracks - and this thing will be like new...

P1020230.JPG
 
Very, very nice work Nikson. I like the removable enclosure on the rear as well. Dual purpose, and I bet it's easy to install too. You can haul cargo or passengers depending on configuration. The LED lights are going to go a long ways in keep the power demands low for your alternator. Excellent choice.

Now all we have to do is see it and you in some SNOW!!!

Regards, Kirk
 
Wow! You have really brought it together now. Tracks will be a chore but then you will be ready to go where you want. Can't wait till it is rolling in snow.:wow:
 
300 H and H said:
Very, very nice work Nikson. I like the removable enclosure on the rear as well. Dual purpose, and I bet it's easy to install too. You can haul cargo or passengers depending on configuration. The LED lights are going to go a long ways in keep the power demands low for your alternator. Excellent choice.

Now all we have to do is see it and you in some SNOW!!!

Regards, Kirk
Click to expand...

LED seems to be the new way of doing lights - I have all LED on my Wrangler, and love their efficiency as well as performance.

Dual purpose was the idea from the start, since diversification is the way to go... :)

I figured I just got to put together a wheeled frame, and mounting the rear "jack" cab will be a snap to use it behind my Jeep in the summer for camping.
 
muleman said:
Wow! You have really brought it together now. Tracks will be a chore but then you will be ready to go where you want. Can't wait till it is rolling in snow.:wow:
Click to expand...

Thanks...

Tracks are the last thing on my list currently, they should last me this winter, plus I'll see if they performs as I expect.

If I decide to keep the same width, I'll just put on new belts next summer, and be all set...

The other thought was to go asymmetrical and add another 4" wide belt on the outers by extending grousers another 6 inches or so (every other).

Also something to consider is doing a little "lift" on the leafs, since ride might be a little rough without the lift.
 
Re: lights... more lights... more buttons...

I guess its true - pictures speak 1000 words...

So, for anyone with a question, feel free to ask.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDbDLbciU3s[/ame]

P1020265.JPG


IMG_3182.jpg


P1020273.JPG


P1020275.JPG


P1020277.JPG


IMG_3188.jpg


P1020279.JPG


P1020280.JPG
 
Re: Steering levers

Thought about it a bit late, but better late than never.

At this point, have thought about even moving master brake cylinders completely forward, and AGAIN redoing the levers, but figured that these will last me this year, and if its still unbearable - i'll get them redone...

but this is what we have now...

IMG_3143.jpg


P1020236.JPG


P1020239.JPG


P1020240.JPG


IMG_3145.jpg


got them painted to orange, will get them installed once those seats are ready to be put in...
 
Re: air cooled motor heat & what to do with it...

Bill has warned me about doing a closed cab around the motor area on these Wisconsins...

I've figured that I'll have to wear ear muffs for long runs either way, but did like the idea of having my doors closed, and staying dry in the cab...

so it all started with figuring out what to do with the "air cooling" air that gets blown over the cylinder heads...

started by getting some Pontiac GrandAm vents off eBay

IMG_3146.jpg


had my buddy come by and sketch up some stuff - than lay it out on the CAD program - he is working on the actual paper mockup before I give this over to my other buddy that does metal fab work, he'll cut it & bend it...

But this is what we are shooting for while utilizing the air flow through the vents off the Pontiac

P1020269.JPG


for moving the air out of the cab - used a Fantastic RV ceiling fan - supposed to move like 1000 CFM, so far has proven itself right...

P1020244.JPG


I've ran the fan with all the windows/doors closed, and engine running...

Once I've gotten inside the cab - it was pleasantly fresh n warm in there...

Now almost all done...

looks like this with the sunroof fan :)

P1020245.JPG
 
Nikson,

It looks great. I was curious have you considered building a compartment around the engine to help deaden some of the sound and even help with potential fumes.

If you dont mind sharing where did you get your fuse/distribution panel and your interior led dome light? The cat looks great and functional!!
 
Great work! Like the yellow top Optima for power source. With the Led's you should have nice bright light for night time running. You just need a bunk and a stove in the back and you are set!:clap::clap:
 
anthonydoldd said:
Nikson,

It looks great. I was curious have you considered building a compartment around the engine to help deaden some of the sound and even help with potential fumes.

If you dont mind sharing where did you get your fuse/distribution panel and your interior led dome light? The cat looks great and functional!!
Click to expand...


At this point, thinking of just running it as it is, afraid to take away any leg room as it is with the engine by doing the engine cover... plus I highly doubt that I will be able to get rid of a lot of the noise unless I do a heavy duty cover... but than again, with the air cooled engine, it wont be an easy task... - so to answer your question - no, no compartment., the ceiling fan will take care of the air circulation, so there wont be any fumes/bad smell issues.

All the electrical components were provided by my buddy, I bought it from his company's warehouse (they specialize in government rigs - policy, fire, EMT, etc). So components have been tested to be reliable & good quality. I honestly have no idea on the brand names, but can find that out... All I can say is that they werent like "cheap" :)

LED lights (including the interior one) are great and barely consume any power, my Wrangler is setup all LED as well, and I've ran lights on it few times for the complete night and battery didnt even "feel" it...

If needed, let me know I might be able to outsource those components at wholesale, since retail its all just "MADLY OVERPRICED"...
 
muleman said:
Great work! Like the yellow top Optima for power source. With the Led's you should have nice bright light for night time running. You just need a bunk and a stove in the back and you are set!:clap::clap:
Click to expand...

Thanks... :)

Optimas has proven to be a great power source - to say the least I've used that battery to start that engine for past 2 months without it being recharged.

LEDs are awesome - thats all I'll say... although I'm hearing that they came out with some other even more efficient lights now... (something like plastic lights or something they were talking about on NPR the other day - should be even more efficient and outlast anything in the market).

As far as bunk - you probably forgot about the Roof Top Tent thats going in the back, along with my wood burning stove into my "kitchen tent" :)

This is what we use for all of our trips - may be something to consider for yourself... LOL :) :) :)

(this is my video)

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwy7681lfq4"]Mobiba MB-104 - YouTube[/ame]
 
dds said:
what he needs is a wet bar like Big Als kt-7 they are even the same color
Click to expand...

Will have a "bar" thats for sure... :clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

as far as it being wet... I wont comment on that... LOL

p.s. wet bar will go into the next build... once I find a nice superimp for it
 
This thing is awesome! :wow: Especially for being built in such a tight space. :clap:

But I have to know - what have your neighbors thought of your project!?!?
 
DAVENET said:
This thing is awesome! :wow: Especially for being built in such a tight space. :clap:

But I have to know - what have your neighbors thought of your project!?!?
Click to expand...

Nice thing about the IMPs is that all you need is a single car garage... LOL

:)

As far as neighbors... they are used to seeing me roll out all sorts of things out of my garage... But this one definitely has been an eye catcher...

Few have come by and just drooled over it, few were in "denial" when they saw it back in original shape (now their opinion has changed), and some have come up and commented on the fact how fun these are, since they had their share of experience "back in the day getting to their uncle's cabin"...

Just cant wait it get it out and make some nice videos with it... :)

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::w00t2::w00t2::w00t2::w00t2:
 
Hi Nikson, I just sat and read through this entire thread, all I can say is "fabulous, simply fabulous!". I too enjoy working on and designing things on the fly. I also am into jeeps. I especially like your switch panel, awesome.
I do have one thing to pass on to you as far as your charging system. If for some reason it doesn't charge enough, maybe you could run a pulley off the flywheel with a one wire alternator from a gm car/truck. There is also a small alternator used on some heavy equipment that is a pretty simple hook up.
Congrats on your three little ones and keep up the great work. Don't forget to take the time to smell the roses, they grow up way too quickly.
dave
 
dave_dj1 said:
Hi Nikson, I just sat and read through this entire thread, all I can say is "fabulous, simply fabulous!". I too enjoy working on and designing things on the fly. I also am into jeeps. I especially like your switch panel, awesome.
I do have one thing to pass on to you as far as your charging system. If for some reason it doesn't charge enough, maybe you could run a pulley off the flywheel with a one wire alternator from a gm car/truck. There is also a small alternator used on some heavy equipment that is a pretty simple hook up.
Congrats on your three little ones and keep up the great work. Don't forget to take the time to smell the roses, they grow up way too quickly.
dave
Click to expand...

Thanks for good advice Dave... appreciated...

As far as charging system goes - i've converted from the 5A (as I was told) to the updated 30A stator on this engine. In turn, I was also informed by few other good techs that alternator needs to output only 5A in order to maintain the battery for it being good to start the engine again (respectively ran after the first start obviously).

In my case, running all LED lighting system with minimal other uses combined with this Optima YellowTop, I do not forsee any problems, but have considered just a second YellowTop in the camper cab for extra lights and accessory charging, as well as back up in case I need to use it to start up the engine for whatever reason.

Personal experiences have shown that these Optimas go long way before they die on ya... hopefully it remains the same w/the cat.

Thanks for your good comments & wishes.....

Just hope to get 'er out this weekend to play around before the big run on the 20th for icefishing. Cascades are at 2500 snow level, with plenty of powder already on the ground.
 
Re: Test Drive

So did a test drive over the last weekend...

Few things came along as NEED TO BE FIXED, or updated.

1. Heat from the aircooled engine is actually very nice due to being "winter times"... Just have to get my doors completely secured and keep OPEN while on the move.

2. New distributor was ordered, since the original one just isnt up to the task anymore after 50 yrs of service, not too surprised.

3. Clutch seems to be in need of adjustment, or even replacements, thats also tests pending.

4. Light in rear cab is needed, will have to figure either a quick disconnect way for cab removal, or install a backup battery into the rear camper cab.

Overall pretty happy with outcome, to be honest - I was just overwhelmed by the whole experience of how fun that machine is....

004.JPG


IMG_2667.JPG


010.JPG


041.CR2.jpg


050.CR2.jpg


016.JPG


023.JPG


029.JPG


049.JPG


058.JPG


Pretty happy with its snow performance, now just need to get into the REAL deeeeeeep snow...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6cqEC6JXv8&feature=share&list=UUiTvqT1musPzdkZJT3OyHHg"]Thiokol Imp 1402 "Katya" - Test Drive - YouTube[/ame]
 
That's awesome!
I wish two things, one, I had one and two, I had a place to use it.
For some reason I thought they were bigger. What are the dimensions (roughly). Are you happy with the power with a load?
Keep up the good work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top