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  1. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Technically my front marker light swap last year was illegal as those lights don't have a reflector element (I was looking for lights with dedicated ground wires, oblivious to the lack of a reflector. Not the end of the world... just use separate reflectors, right? That'll also cover up the ugly...
  2. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    7-way cable/junction boxes were on super sale the other day, so I ordered one... and it came in. So, I decided to install it: Seeing this (and how terrible my old install of the the marker lights was got me thinking... could the lights be part of the box. Well, a couple of 5/8" holes with a...
  3. ratdude747

    No water coming out of the exhaust on muffs

    I had to drill a hole in each plastic intake plate on my outdrive for the wire to pass through (Mercruiser MC-1). The intake holes themselves don't work due to internal interference. But there is clearance if one drills holes in the plastic , which is what one has to do. Totally worth it...
  4. ratdude747

    No water coming out of the exhaust on muffs

    Hence why I made the switch. They're not terribly expensive and seal a lot better. Sure, having to drill holes kinda stinks, but it's not rocket surgery.
  5. ratdude747

    No water coming out of the exhaust on muffs

    What kind of muffs do you have? On my mercruiser (1976 888/mc-1) I ended up having to use the bravo-style mercruiser muffs (looks like a set of crash cymbals). I had no luck with an "earmuffs" style muff set and bbq'd a new impeller partially as a result of such. You will have to drill a hole in...
  6. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Made it home... and while it was approaching midnight and drizzling... I had to install it! (Well, mostly, see below for the caveat). Originally, I was just going to mock it up. I already had a loose U bolt (that I discovered and didn't bother tightening up) and did this to confirm all the...
  7. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    The last post is incomplete. I had my best friend show up (the one whose aunt gave me the boat!) and had to finish the post... and in doing so, I forgot a picture. It seems that they did give a turnbuckle/chain point on the winch mount: I'm wondering if this is to allow a chain...
  8. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Did some work in my Father-in-law's shop this morning (they live on the way home in Lafayette, IN, so we turned this adventure into a visit with them)... pulled the rusty winch and mangled U-bolt off. I then moved the winch mount to the 23.675" measurement I previously measured: Now, to...
  9. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Winch stand fetched. Unit is in excellent structural condition (minus the winch, but I'm replacing that). Rollers are genuine stolz and in great shape too... A long drive, yes. But so far a good road trip other than Chicago traffic...
  10. ratdude747

    Harbor freight jack.

    I have a 3 ton (or is it 2.5 ton?) pittsburgh low-profile... I've owned it for 11 years, still works great other than loosing the screw that holds the handles together. Heavy, but functional... and the release valve is very smooth (U-joint, not bevel gears). Great value for the money back then...
  11. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    In no order: The original transom straps (a wire cam lock style) were very confusing to use (we almost gave up on using them as we couldn't remember how they were laced!). Yes, they had no ratchet to rust up, but swapping them for the boat buckles I have installed currently was one of the first...
  12. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    One more possible issue with brakes I just realized: are the 4 u-bolts holding the axle/spring assembly to the frame able to take the braking load? They're the same diameter as as the two that hold the winch stand, but they (obviously don't have bunk friction helping reduce the load. Not...
  13. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Some final responses: My formerly damaged bunk board (fabric ripped by a pitot tube mount which allowed the board to rot into a brittle mess) and transom straps angled the wrong way (pulling away from the winch, not towards it) indicate that the position isn't ideal. Yes, the other way around...
  14. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Not easily without causing structural issues and/or having to redo the bunks and a bunch of things. And I'd rather keep the length... rather, use the length differently. Seems that a different winch stand will fix it... just took a bit to find one. We shall see.
  15. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Not pointing a finger, but please read the original post again. The crux of the issue is that this trailer was likely designed for a 17ft minimum length... but this trailer happens to be what the marina had to trade for the original trailer that also fit the needs of the original owner. Just...
  16. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Did some desperation digging on FB marketplace... and found a possible winner: It's up in Chicagoland... no shipping (road trip!). Price is currently not bad either. I'll try to see if I can get any sort of dimensions on it... but I'm always up for a good road trip if it's warranted. Edit-...
  17. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    I did find this unit by Die-matic: Good for up to 28" of roller height. However, it's a bit pricey ($330 shipped). I presume it's of comparable (or adequate) weight/load rating due to the manufacturer offering it also as a package with a 1400lb winch (I currently have a 1500lb BassPro winch...
  18. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    That looks like what was on the other trailer. The issue is the height of bow eye... roller needs to go above it to lock the boat down, and to do that the roller needs to be just shy of 24" above the trailer tongue. Most of those style units are only good for 12-18". But I will look again.
  19. ratdude747

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    I saw that. But the entire bearing & seal set will be replaced with the brake addition. Nowhere near as bad as the other trailer though! The existing one has rust issues... and the geometry doesn't work in reverse as the bow roller would be way too low at max height. I wouldn't want to go past...
  20. ratdude747

    Found me a project trailer...

    As promised, attached are the "final" drawings and CAD of the obsolete fenders for trailerman trailers like the ones shown in this thread. The PDF is "traditional" drawings. I won't claim to be a master draftsman (although my dad was an Indiana State Champion draftsman in High School!), but...
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