Hello All,
I have an Athearn Genesis Santa Fe GP7u that I would like to add a keep-alive to, but I cannot figure out how to remove the shell.
Removing the coupler boxes alone did not release the shell, and removing the fuel tank revealed 4 screws in a square pattern which I am hesitant to take out because I believe they hold the motor and will hot help with the shell. No other screws or connections are visible, and the manual is generic and could not answer my question.
Any specific tips on how to get this off would be appreciated!
Thanks.
I feel your pain! Over the years I've been very frustrated when trying to get shells off. Broken more parts than I can remember. That said, looking up from the bottom, do you see 2 or 3 small tabs on each side that would be part of the shell that clip over the edge of the frame? I recently removed a shell (maybe a new Atlas?) that was only held on by the coupler screws. But it was almost "glued on" to get it off. Once off the first time, I had to open it again and it came right off. It might have tabs that require pressing in on the shell, or requires a pry from underneath. Hopefully someone here will be familiar with your model and can tell you exactly what the procedure. Good luck, it's not for the faint of heart!
Hey Doc --
I just checked with a friend of mine who works for Athearn. Most Geep models are held on by the coupler boxes (and I'm assuming you got all three bits out -- coupler, box top, box bottom), but there are some that have a screw at the corner of the fuel tank -- not the four in the center you saw, but a single screw at the very corner, going into the walkway. It's a small screw and might be a little tough to see.
I have not removed the shell from a low-nose Genesis Geep but have done several high-nose Geeps, and sometimes they need a little persuading, either rocking the shell back and forth a bit to loosen (lifting alternately on front and rear), or a gentle pry between frame and walkway. Alternatively, you can remove the exhaust/dynamic brake hatch and push (gently) on the PCB or, better yet, its supports. There is a lot of wiring in there and getting the shells back on can be a challenge... I wish I knew how the factory did it so easily.
Good luck finding space for the keep-alive. :)
HTH
Aaron
Tophias I feel your pain! Over the years I've been very frustrated when trying to get shells off. Broken more parts than I can remember. That said, looking up from the bottom, do you see 2 or 3 small tabs on each side that would be part of the shell that clip over the edge of the frame? I recently removed a shell (maybe a new Atlas?) that was only held on by the coupler screws. But it was almost "glued on" to get it off. Once off the first time, I had to open it again and it came right off. It might have tabs that require pressing in on the shell, or requires a pry from underneath. Hopefully someone here will be familiar with your model and can tell you exactly what the procedure. Good luck, it's not for the faint of heart!
Thanks to everyone who replied with advice. I finally got it off after a lot of struggling.
There was nothing more than the coupler boxes holding the shell on, but I had to use an uncomfortable amount of force to get it off. For anyone else attempting this project, I recommend pulling one end of the shell up a bit, putting toothpicks in between the shell and chassis to keep them separated, and then working the other end up the same way, easing the whole shell up and eventually off. It was not fast to get off and I easily could have broken something.
Thanks for the update Dr. Yellow, that will be good to know in my future. I appreciate it when posters ask questions regarding problems and then come back with feedback. Alas, not all do.
Regards, Chris