2-rail : how to convert mth rb trucks

Cool Martin. Certainly cheaper than buying the MTH trucks like I have been doing. I also purchased a bunch of the IM wheel sets of Da Bay that I was using to convert Lionel trucks with. I'll have to give your technique a try. Thanks for sharing.

One hopes you got several packs of these for that price!

I certainly didn't invent it. I just followed the process on the O scale Kings website:

http://www.oscalekings.org/conversion.html

Better, but I guess these are beginning to creep up on price.

Nice conversion. Out of curiosity were those the old "thumbtack" trucks or the new ones? The new ones are kind of a pain to take apart/reassemble.

I did both styles, Matt.  The older ones are simpler and therefore quicker to convert as you only have to remove one set of sideframes.  The newer ones have more stuff in the way and you have to release both sideframes to remove the old wheels.

Other than that, it's the same process for both.

Thanks. Good to know the Intermountain wheels work as those can be had for around $10-$12 per set. I have several MTH cars I'd like to convert and was contemplating what would be the best approach.

I'm glad this info is helpful, Matt.  I was very pleased with the results given that it's not to hard to do.

However, I would like to stress that this doesn't fix the too-high ride height that almost all 3-rail MTH rolling stock possesses out of the box.  In my case, it was a non-issue because I am using it on my own builds.

I am buying these a few at a time to get rid of all the plastic wheels on my layout. Last year they were $7.95 msrp. Then they ran out at P&D and Pat couldn't get them restocked for some time, maybe a few months. When they finally did send some to restock, the MSRP was moved up to $11.95. And this was not a retail mark-up. These prices are printed on the label. So at 50% price increase, a little more than creeping up.

I think they've been $8 a set or 3/$20 at Strasburg as recently as April and I've seen them at either there or in Chicago for $6/set.  I buy 3-5 sets every show. but Ithink 95% of my trucks have these installed now.

 "I have several MTH cars I'd like to convert and was contemplating what would be the best approach"

   Hi Matt, I occasionally put 2 rail wheels in MTH trucks but I preferred to swap the trucks for Weaver or Athearn ( or other 2 rail brands if I had appropriate trucks at hand)2 rail trucks to get a narrower truck and add a body bolster to the car. When I was modeling in O scale the plastic trucks sold for about $3 or $4 per pair and I don't mind running the plastic wheels so that was a cheap way to go.......DaveB

Agree!  And, my personal standard has been the Athearn trucks.....that have also begun to climb in price and decline in regular availability.

Martin let the cat out of the bag. 

Strasburg is THEE place to get great deals.  Never know what's there but whatever it is you need it or will soon need it and it is at a great price.

You will always find new wheels and couplers at many tables.  Must of had about 100+/- tables at the last show.

Next swap meet Saturday Aug 8,   9:00 am-1:00pm  $5.oo

"Even small 2-rail meets I have been to have plenty of 2-rail wheelsets and trucks, but those trucks are always bettendorf, etc.  Very little with roller bearing."

   Weaver roller bearings were the usual truck for two rail modern era conversions. Like the Athearn bettendorfs they were built in great numbers and didn't cost too much. Ace made some 70 ton metal trucks with spinner bearings that are pretty nice but hard to find. The later issue metal trucks from the 3 rail companies are mostly too wide to look good but the Lionel spinners are pretty nice when converted, the wheels sets are expensive however, which leads back to why Weaver trucks are the norm :> .......DaveB

Agreed Dave B, weaver is definitely the best choice for modern stuff.  The Athearn RB trucks have much smaller wheels, probably only rated for 50 or 70 ton.  The Weaver appears to be for modern 100 Ton applications.

Here's a comparison photo of my MTH to the other two brands.