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Thiokol Imp 1402 OpenTop # 129 by Nikson

Nate b said:
I can only imagine what you were saying when that started going south.
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Well, didnt really have time to say nothing, since wasnt ready for it, drove that road a lot before, max flood waters were a foot or so... but here...

+/-2ft of snow, 3-4 inches of ice... and 3-4ft of water under...

Winch didnt help much, since it started to break more ice, so it sank even deeper..

btw, 4000lbs winch doesnt do squat in a situation like that... I highly suggest to use only 8000lbs and up for cats... :)
 
Re: photo

I figured I would upload some of the images with the tent on it...

We are getting ready to leave sometime in the afternoon for the weekend of icefishing & snowcatting...

Gee, I never in my life thought I would say it that I'm going "snowcatting" :w00t2::w00t2::w00t2:

This is how it looks without the annex room...

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Now with annex room added...

Tent sleeps 4+ people, as I've slept in it with 4 other kids (ages 6 - 14), and its very comfortable and easy to setup up, in matter of minutes.

As far as sleeping in it in the snow, I dont see an issue about the cold, since thats what sleeping bags are for.

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Folded & almost ready to go...

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Report of the actual trip will come later... after the weekend...

Cheers...
 
Nikson
Looks very nice. And very comfortable as well.
Finally with these pics, the Thiokol Imp 1402 has to many advantages.
It is the all idea -the project in front of us.

regards Nikos
 
nikos said:
Nikson
Looks very nice. And very comfortable as well.
Finally with these pics, the Thiokol Imp 1402 has to many advantages.
It is the all idea -the project in front of us.

regards Nikos
Click to expand...

Yes, thank you...

This setup has definitely proven its functionability over the past weekend.

Getting the photos ready for upload... need to edit some video as well...
 
Few updates...

New brake bands - done!
p.s. for anyone curious if it was worth it - heck ya! I brake with an ease of one hand now both sides... definitely had made a world of difference.

SpryteImprovement in Idaho - great folks - quick turnaround time on job well done, very helpful.

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started on figuring the issues with cooling & heating of the driver's cab...

seems thou I've solved it mostly...

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now, its cool enough in the cab to wear a sweatshirt and keep them doors shut if need be...

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winch got removed & will be a "hitch-mount" style with synthetic rope (lighter), wired both front & rear...

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for more details - watch my Youtube channel - one of the latest videos from the last trip has a bit of coverage on the heat venting...

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vented out the engine oil breather as well... simple plumbing with PVC seemed to solve the issue easily & as well being easily removable

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LOL :hammer::hammer::hammer::hammer::hammer:

my deep powder snorkel for cooling didnt get "fashion approved" nor practically approved... the 8" openning is too restrictive and I believe the engine would overheat in extreme conditions... I've ended up disconnecting it and will be redoing the exterior part of it...

Dont it look kinda cool thou???

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videos from last weekend...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAIocXkP8hU"](teaser) Adventure of My Life - Winter 2013 - YouTube[/ame]

full episode is in the playlist - just search for it on my channel...

Full Trip report is here...

http://www.forumsforums.com/3_9/showthread.php?t=61995
 
Nikson are you having issues with keeping the engine compartment cool. If so I will be curious as to what you come with to fix it. My current setup with the stock dog house seems like it traps the heat in side way more than i think it should.
 
:my2cents:Nikson, your cat is awesome. I'll bet you can take that as far as you want. Awesome set up all around, but those white intakes are a travesty. I think that since they don't work, it's ok, one of those blessings in disguise things you know... :wink:
I'll be intersted to see what the solution is.
 
Nate b said:
Nikson are you having issues with keeping the engine compartment cool. If so I will be curious as to what you come with to fix it. My current setup with the stock dog house seems like it traps the heat in side way more than i think it should.
Click to expand...

Nate, are you running a Wisconsin air cooled like mine?

I'm not having issues with the engine cooling, my issue had been (in the past now) keeping the driver's cab nice and cool, rather than steaming hot (due to the engine cooling heated air coming out at the top and releasing into the cab).

Now that i've got my vent system built over the release area on the top, and vented out to the front - its perfect., no more excess heat, just enough to stay warm without need for the incab heater.
 
snowsurfer said:
:my2cents:Nikson, your cat is awesome. I'll bet you can take that as far as you want. Awesome set up all around, but those white intakes are a travesty. I think that since they don't work, it's ok, one of those blessings in disguise things you know... :wink:
I'll be intersted to see what the solution is.
Click to expand...

Oh, I can only agree... I've never considered that to be my "way out" of the issue, just planned to use it for this trip only, since we expected a bunch of powder (forecast didnt go through) :clap:

Overall, ability and capability of this cat has been only amazing to myself, as well as to anyone I've taken on a ride...

At this point, I would like to finish up all the loose ends, bring it up to best comfort level and give it up to someone who can put it to use as I've built it for (in that concept somewhat).

Now, I've outgrown it already, and would like to do another project with a larger cat, one that I'll have to get a nice diesel pusher to haul it on most likely.

Need a bigger size to be able to build a larger camper cab on it, so I can do long haul trips in the winter around our Cascades, as well as be able to travel to Colorado for ice fishing trips.
 
Nikson I have a ford 300 with no vents to the cab. Might put a vent or two in to remove some of the heat buildup but will gain extra engine noise in the cab which I'm not really interested in. Thanks for all your posts.
 
Northcoast said:
Thanks for sharing your trip,and awsome set up for camping. Can't wait to see your next snowcat !
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You are very welcome, after all, all of our work with pointless if we dont share with others... :)

I do hope that next project will come about sooner rather than later...

Will be putting it for sale here soon most likely.
 
Nate b said:
Nikson I have a ford 300 with no vents to the cab. Might put a vent or two in to remove some of the heat buildup but will gain extra engine noise in the cab which I'm not really interested in. Thanks for all your posts.
Click to expand...

So, I guess you are watercooled? If thats the case I would assume you might want to just consider running an exhaust fan onto outside from the doghouse which should solve your problem.
 
Cat has been sold...

New owner is from WA, around Seattle somewhere, going to be used for cabin access.

Farewell!!! and hope she serves them well.

p.s. next project plans are on the table, just need to find the right one for resto
 
Congrats, this has been a great thread to follow. Thanks for all the posts and hope you find another one that could use your attention. Did you sell it through this site or ?
 
snowsurfer said:
Congrats, this has been a great thread to follow. Thanks for all the posts and hope you find another one that could use your attention. Did you sell it through this site or ?
Click to expand...

Sold via Youtube/PicasaWeb Album/Craiglist ad - all together.

Hoping that I'll find another resto towards end of summer...
 
I really enjoyed following your restoration and your adventures afterwards. Please get another cat soon,because your posts were BY FAR some of the most interesting on this site !! Give some consideration to a tucker ( maybe it's because I'm on my third one).
 
Northcoast said:
I really enjoyed following your restoration and your adventures afterwards. Please get another cat soon,because your posts were BY FAR some of the most interesting on this site !! Give some consideration to a tucker ( maybe it's because I'm on my third one).
Click to expand...

Its all good, thanks for a great comment.

Will be on a lookout for the next resto - matter of time finding one.

Choice really depends on its weight, due to towing ability of my rigs...
but than again, larger cats are just not able to get where I go, since lots of times those trails are pretty tight...
 
For any one who is interested, I am the new proud owner of Nikson's 1402 IMP. It is presently in Silverdale Wa. I am continuing to make improvements to the great restoration that Nik did. In fact it was the detailed documentation of Nik's work here and elsewhere that I was able to make the purchase with confidence. As a lifelong student of all things mechanical I could appreciate his workmanship.

I will be making numerous modifications to the Imp to customize it to our needs as a cabin access passenger vehicle. I will also be rebuilding the tracks and adding some creature comforts.

I will be starting a new thread, "The continuing saga of Niksons 1402 Imp sn 129"
 
Pics, pics, pics! They are vital to these projects for those of us who can't justify the expense for the little bit of snow we get around here.
 
muleman said:
Pics, pics, pics! They are vital to these projects for those of us who can't justify the expense for the little bit of snow we get around here.
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Oh, you'll get pics, or at least I've been getting them in the email... :)

he's doing a very good job taking pictures...
 
muleman said:
Cool! I am interested to see what he modifies to your setup.
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being a retired AirForce, and having a lot bigger garage & much more free time... he's doing a lot more...

Beauty of the custom work - build to fit your own need... :)
 
Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the forum!

I'll also be interested in your progress, but you've got a tough act to follow.

Best of luck and keep us posted...
 
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