This is the underside of a Troublesome Truck. The frame/base is a 9067-10. I need to find a suitable replacement coupler/arm. Would this be a good candidate for a Kadee coupler conversion?
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Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?
No, you don't want to do a Kadee coupler conversion. That's the problem here on this forum, that SO much SCALE stuff is discussed on this traditional forum, when there's a separate scale forum. It sure makes it even more confusing to someone just entering the hobby. The Kadee couplers are for the die-hard scale enthusiasts and are not compatible with the normal Lionel knuckle coupler.
The easiest thing for you would be to order a replacement coupler with a mounting bracket either from Lionel, or maybe a parts dealer would have it at a discounted price (first link below).
The advantage of being in the hobby for a while, is you likely will accumulate junkers, beaters and extra parts. You might be able to cut a coupler off a plastic truck and insert either plastic operating or dummy coupler into the housing of that bracket... it appears that the coupler part is what you are missing from your photo... everything else is there.
Lionel changed these parts. At one time, these simplified starter cars came with a dummy coupler that mounted over a single post from the car frame, and was held in place with a single screw... see second link below.
At $8.50 plus shipping for that part from Lionel, you might consider just watching for a good price on one of those cars and stash the one you have for future parts. The metal wheelsets from Lionel are $3.25 each.
Once you've been in the hobby for a while, you learn by experience. I've been altering, kitbashing and repainting since the day I got back into trains. But I started simple, with like Plasticville buildings and as my skill and confidence levels grew, I took on more challenging projects, like heavily kitbashing locomotives.
I wanted a modern type of locomotive that looks good with 027 trains, so I chopped down a Lionel U-36B shell to fit on a altered K-Line MP-15 chassis. I've taken Industrial Rail couplers and installed them on the Lionel Scout type trucks from the postwar years, that had a unique, incompatible coupler. I had a RMT Beep that never ran well for me, but I liked the Erie Lackawanna scheme of it. So I chopped the shell, kitbashed a Lionel Industrial Switcher chassis and put the EL Beep shell on my new chassis and it now runs like a champ. But I worked my way up to these projects by starting simple.
Another hint... when you have a piece of junk electronics, like a DVD player that no longer works, or a computer part, etc. I pull them completely apart before I toss them and I save every single screw, washer, grommet, DC motors that sill work, rubber washer, etc. I find it amazing how I am able to use many of these parts for train projects.
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...561-BA1E7F34A6DF2BB0
https://www.lionelsupport.com/...38-9b90-bab4d6192a1c
@brianel_k-lineguy I appreciate the comments, and pointing me in the right direction. In the short time I've been here, I've learned a tremendous amount, and I appreciate you guys not taking me to task for my newbie missteps. I'm definitely not ready to kitbash, so I'll ease myself into modifications with tweaks here and there ... before I upgrade the serious stuff (if ever). Speaking of which, is there a Railroading Electronics Guide for Dummies (outside of Greenberg's Guide, which I own but still need to sit down and read)?
you might want to try these couplers. here is a link:
