Iam new to the hobby HO scale, I want to know if you can change new and old life like
couplers to KD metal couplers, Ive tried #5 KD and checked out #58 they won't work
Do they make a conversion coupler. If not is it possible and practical $ to up grade
Rail Cars and Engins. Thanks, Fisher
If you are talking about the truck-mounted horn-hook couplers (aka Talgo trucks) -- then your only option would be to change-out the entire truck.
I think that "Perfect Parts" of Baltimore makes replacement HO gauge Talgo trucks with knuckle couplers. I have seen them at my local hobby shop.
Another approach is to set up one freight car (with body-mounted couplers) with a knuckle on one end and a horn-hook on the other, as an "adapter car" to pick up your old Life-Like cars, whenever the need arises.
A little better guidance on this is on the Kadee website. They do market couplers sets to convert talgo trucks to the Kadees. It sounds like you need the #27, just check the chart:
http://www.kadee.com/conv/holist.pdf
If you want to check out the instructions before you buy:
http://www.kadee.com/html/20serins.pdf
The whole website has the answers to most, if not all, your questions.