I took the plunge and finally lowered my AZL SD45's. Here's how I did it:
I cut off the tabs on the frame that the shell rested on, included the top part of the fuel tank that held the pickup strips in place. This allows the shell to rest on the PCB clips that are part of the chassis. I drilled holes horizontally into the chassis and inserted wire, so it "pinches" the pickup strips to the fuel tank part of the chassis. The wires are glued in place. I also applied a tiny amount of CA where the wire and pickup strip meet to help hold them in place more securely. Be sure not to use too much, or it will end up between the pickup strip and frame, and then no longer conduct. Don't ask how I know...
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I filed-down the pickup nubs on the trucks, since the clearance was now lower with the lowered shell.
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The rearmost PCB clips are about 0.020" lower than the front clips, so I added a 0.020" piece of styrene inside the shell for the rear clips to rest on and keep the shell level relative to the frame.
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The location of the pilots had to be adjusted to maintain correct coupler height. I added a 0.020" x 0.030" strip of styrene to the bottom of the pilot to compensate for how much it had to be moved up.
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The height of the walkways is now comparable to that of AZL's GP38-2.
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Here's the before and after comparison:
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I forgot to take a picture, but the fuel tank had to be cut in half horizontally, material removed, and glued back together to allow it to fit with the lowered shell. It looks more prototypical now, as well.
Here's the completed modification (but before weathering):
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Chris
