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Tucker ?
- Thread starter griz01
- Start date
Peanutbutter
New member
Hi, We have seen a 343 several years ago and it is a quite abit smaller then a 443, If you think a 443 cab is small wait tell you see the 343 it is just a little bigger then a Tucker Kitten 222. we are in Colo. if your not interested we would like to see if it is same one we seen several years ago.
I was afraid that was the case. I am 6'7"; fitting into a 443 is tight to say the least. Smaller might be very tough. Getting into a Kitten is out for me. Wondering if anyone has a 300 series they would be willing to let me "try on" a little closer to Wisconsin? I like the looks of the older Tuckers but my size sure limits my comfort with out seat mods.
Blackfoot Tucker
Well-known member
I'm a bit over 6'3" and my height is in my torso. Depending on how your height is proportioned it may be a challenge to find a Tucker that fits. I had a 1980 1543 and my head was closer to the top bulkhead bar (just behind the front seats) than I liked. The 1980 1644 I have has the roll bar closer to the roof so it's much less of a problem. I do plan on switching out the seats and making custom brackets though.
I realize there is a following for the smaller machines, but especially when you want to take a friend or two, it's nice to have a roomier cab.
Broken Grouser
Member
Cool thread -
Here's a comparison of my 443 and a 343 Bill up at Snotrans has for sale.
When I was a kid in Michigan's U.P. we had a 343 at Big Powderhorn Ski Area we used on occasion for lift maintenance duties. Great little cat, but yeah tight inside!
Mark
Here's a comparison of my 443 and a 343 Bill up at Snotrans has for sale.
When I was a kid in Michigan's U.P. we had a 343 at Big Powderhorn Ski Area we used on occasion for lift maintenance duties. Great little cat, but yeah tight inside!
Mark
Attachments
Broken;
The one Bill has is the one I am considering. Right now Bill and I are playing "phone tag". Pics are nice, but since you have been in both, how do the compare on leg room and width at your shoulder?
Michigan UP is where I have my cabin, as you probably know, trails close to wheeled machines after Deer Season: looking for something to get into my cabin with me, buddies and supplies.
The one Bill has is the one I am considering. Right now Bill and I are playing "phone tag". Pics are nice, but since you have been in both, how do the compare on leg room and width at your shoulder?
Michigan UP is where I have my cabin, as you probably know, trails close to wheeled machines after Deer Season: looking for something to get into my cabin with me, buddies and supplies.
Broken Grouser
Member
Oh boy now your gonna jog my memory. I'm 47 now and Dad was the Mtn Manager at Powderhorn from 1980 - 1984. As I recall the headroom was about the same as the 400 series. Legroom about the same. Shoulder width was tight - narrower cab. The thing about the 300's is the back cargo/passenger area - they're chopped off. I noticed on the Snotrans cat somebody welded a cargo rack off the rear - looks functional along with the roof rack.
The 300's were great for a couple of non hulk sized guys to throw a bunch of tools in the back and go out any attempt to fix some broken down piece o' crap Riblet chairlift (no bad memory there) on a Yooper -20 night.
After reading your earlier posts I thought you might be looking at Bill's cat. I purchased my 1642 from Bill - I very stand-up guy. You want leg/head/shoulder room talk to him about that 1644B he's got listed.
I love getting back to the U.P. - Colorado folks don't know what real trees are like!
The 300's were great for a couple of non hulk sized guys to throw a bunch of tools in the back and go out any attempt to fix some broken down piece o' crap Riblet chairlift (no bad memory there) on a Yooper -20 night.
After reading your earlier posts I thought you might be looking at Bill's cat. I purchased my 1642 from Bill - I very stand-up guy. You want leg/head/shoulder room talk to him about that 1644B he's got listed.
I love getting back to the U.P. - Colorado folks don't know what real trees are like!
I was hoping that the 300 was just a cut off 400, front cab the same rear just shorter. Sounds like that is not the case though. The 1644 is nice, love that it is diesel and the newer tracks; but I really like the looks of the earlier body lines. Now I am just not sure of me fitting into it. Wife's family is from Weiser, maybe I should check to see if anyone is still there.
Broken Grouser
Member
I hope this helps - rainy day here in Red Cliff, so I broke out the scanner and dug into the "achieves". I might be wrong about the cab width, maybe it is the same as the 400s. The overall width across the tracks is definitely the same. I wonder which engine the one you're looking at has - Jeep or Flathead 6.
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Broken Grouser
Member
Griz-
I didn't catch the A on the listing at first. With that in mind I'd guess it's got the bigger Chrysler 6. Bill will know.
One thing about that 343, it ought to be a great little deep snow cat. My 443 weighs about 4300 lbs dry. I see from the brochure that the 300 runs around 3900 lbs as a 343A configuration. With full size pontoons and 400 lbs less I'd like to play with her where we run our Tuckers off of Vail and Shrine Passes here in CO.
Now if we can just shrink yer 6'-7" down a bit!
Good Luck on your cat hunt!
I didn't catch the A on the listing at first. With that in mind I'd guess it's got the bigger Chrysler 6. Bill will know.
One thing about that 343, it ought to be a great little deep snow cat. My 443 weighs about 4300 lbs dry. I see from the brochure that the 300 runs around 3900 lbs as a 343A configuration. With full size pontoons and 400 lbs less I'd like to play with her where we run our Tuckers off of Vail and Shrine Passes here in CO.
Now if we can just shrink yer 6'-7" down a bit!
Good Luck on your cat hunt!
Blackfoot Tucker
Well-known member
If you look carefully at the pontoons of the two machines (in the photos provided by Broken Grouser) it looks like the pontoons are shorter in the 300 series than the 400 series.
That makes sense with the shorter wheelbase and less weight.
I think Tucker made the steel track cats with different width pontoons (and tracks). There was a 543 for sale about a year ago in Pinedale, WY that had what looked like wider tracks.
It does look like it has dual exhaust in the pictures. Hmmm, why dual exhaust with an inline engine, especially a 4 cylinder?
Griz, many of us have bought machines from Bill at Sno Trans. I've bought two and (like Broken Grouser) think he's a real stand up guy.
Some time ago highly respected forum member Lyndon (who used to post a lot) had a thread about who he thought were the absolute best in the Snow Cat community. He's dealt with a whole bunch of people over the years and in the end the top honors went to Bill and Mary Guthrie at Sno Trans. That is high praise!
That makes sense with the shorter wheelbase and less weight.
I think Tucker made the steel track cats with different width pontoons (and tracks). There was a 543 for sale about a year ago in Pinedale, WY that had what looked like wider tracks.
It does look like it has dual exhaust in the pictures. Hmmm, why dual exhaust with an inline engine, especially a 4 cylinder?
Griz, many of us have bought machines from Bill at Sno Trans. I've bought two and (like Broken Grouser) think he's a real stand up guy.
Some time ago highly respected forum member Lyndon (who used to post a lot) had a thread about who he thought were the absolute best in the Snow Cat community. He's dealt with a whole bunch of people over the years and in the end the top honors went to Bill and Mary Guthrie at Sno Trans. That is high praise!
Blackfoot,
You are correct: the 300's pontoons are 18" x 76", the 400's are 18" x 84", and the 500's are 28" x 84". Due most likely to the increases in weights.
Bill's rep is the main reason why I am considering purchasing a cat I cannot see. Have to wait until monday with our "phone tag" game. Sno Trans is closed all weekend.
I was told once, the 4 cylinder had exhaust on the drivers side, 6 cylinder on the passenger. No duals, so? Possible has a differant engine or maybe some one just liked the "more balanced look"?
You are correct: the 300's pontoons are 18" x 76", the 400's are 18" x 84", and the 500's are 28" x 84". Due most likely to the increases in weights.
Bill's rep is the main reason why I am considering purchasing a cat I cannot see. Have to wait until monday with our "phone tag" game. Sno Trans is closed all weekend.
I was told once, the 4 cylinder had exhaust on the drivers side, 6 cylinder on the passenger. No duals, so? Possible has a differant engine or maybe some one just liked the "more balanced look"?
Anyone got a 400 series they would be willing to get some measurements off of for me? Bill was kind enough to supply some measurements for me. He believes the 300 & 400 cab to be very close.
Width inside door to door
Gas pedal to back of seat
seat bottom to roof
Door opening
Any help greatly appreciated
Width inside door to door
Gas pedal to back of seat
seat bottom to roof
Door opening
Any help greatly appreciated
Griz. I am over by Greenbay. I looked at a front cab Tucker up in Christmas last year I am six one and felt appropriate with the door closed. I will have to dig up my notes to get the series. It was a CL add I doubt he sold it. it was at the snocross track by the casino.
My grooming buddy has a couple of tuckers in storage near freedom. I will figure out what model they are when I see him at the next sno club mtg. I am sure you can come sit in those.
Mike
My grooming buddy has a couple of tuckers in storage near freedom. I will figure out what model they are when I see him at the next sno club mtg. I am sure you can come sit in those.
Mike
Broken Grouser
Member
Griz - I'll get those 400 measurements after work tonight.
The road past the casio south into the tulies.... there is a motorsport complex there. there is a road right to the gate. short walk to the cat.
I will see if I can find that number. I drove the cat. spare tracks. a Arrowhead copy of a 9'6" drag. 360 mopar out of one of the Walker evans race trucks (Crandon) At545 trans. Front and rear hyd. Joy stick controls.
Mike
Broken Grouser
Member
Griz - Here's some dimensions for you from my 443A.
47 1/4" - Inside Door to Door at centerline of seat
39" - Gas Pedal to Back of Seat
37 1/2" - Seat Bottom to Roof
33 1/4" - Door Opening
I'm 6'0" with my boots on and fit just right. The seats are recovered originals and I like lay something down on the seat when I'm driving too see better over the hood.
47 1/4" - Inside Door to Door at centerline of seat
39" - Gas Pedal to Back of Seat
37 1/2" - Seat Bottom to Roof
33 1/4" - Door Opening
I'm 6'0" with my boots on and fit just right. The seats are recovered originals and I like lay something down on the seat when I'm driving too see better over the hood.
Attachments
Mtn-Track
Member
Griz;
The cab in my '53 443 is smaller than the '58 443A that I had, by about 6", so you are right. I'm 6'1" and I still had to move the fuel tank and seats back about 4" and recline them a little to be halfway comfortable. Two guy's my size are shoulder-to-shoulder and door-to-door in my '53. Cozy....
The 443A was a bit better, but leg room was still and issue.... at least for me.
.
The cab in my '53 443 is smaller than the '58 443A that I had, by about 6", so you are right. I'm 6'1" and I still had to move the fuel tank and seats back about 4" and recline them a little to be halfway comfortable. Two guy's my size are shoulder-to-shoulder and door-to-door in my '53. Cozy....
The 443A was a bit better, but leg room was still and issue.... at least for me.
.
This was the cat up in Christmas.I am striking out with a phone number I do have his card I just have not located it.
if you can see the trailer behind it, that was full of another set of Tracks. the machine started out new in Escanaba, lots of extra parts and a drag.
I liked the idea that the motor and fan noise was behind.
I liked the blade and hyd. (single stick with push buttons)
I don't remember the model number but I am sure that someone here with the picture can figure it out.
I just went for something smaller because I needed to trailer it around.
I think you found the one in Sheboygan?
if you can see the trailer behind it, that was full of another set of Tracks. the machine started out new in Escanaba, lots of extra parts and a drag.
I liked the idea that the motor and fan noise was behind.
I liked the blade and hyd. (single stick with push buttons)
I don't remember the model number but I am sure that someone here with the picture can figure it out.
I just went for something smaller because I needed to trailer it around.
I think you found the one in Sheboygan?
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Blackfoot Tucker
Well-known member
redsqwl,
I believe that would be a 1342ME...
My impression is that vintage mid-engine machine sells pretty cheap. Though the forward visibility is much better than the traditional forward engine Tucker, you are pretty much stuck with a two person cab with minimal/no interior space for gear. From the interior photos I've seen it also looks like the space allocated for the passenger is pretty small.
Forum member swampcruzr (sp?) has one that he re-cabbed with a mid-sixties Chevy van body. It looks pretty darn cool and is much more functional for his family.
I believe that would be a 1342ME...
My impression is that vintage mid-engine machine sells pretty cheap. Though the forward visibility is much better than the traditional forward engine Tucker, you are pretty much stuck with a two person cab with minimal/no interior space for gear. From the interior photos I've seen it also looks like the space allocated for the passenger is pretty small.
Forum member swampcruzr (sp?) has one that he re-cabbed with a mid-sixties Chevy van body. It looks pretty darn cool and is much more functional for his family.
