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C

capt. catfish

Active member
Good morning Thunder,

Can you tell me if Rotator makes a 2.38 softride for Cadi? I am changing from the 1.77 Stinger, and Stinger does not make a softride for Cadi,s.

If I am making the change sure would like go to the soft ride. Also, will the Rotator bolt up without modifying the rear mounts?

Thanks for the help.

Capt. Catfish
 
Call panther airboats. They are a distributor.

National
1-800-247-2628
Local
321-632-1722
Fax
1-321-632-6043

Diamondback AB
Stinger Superwide Gear Box w/Soft Drive $2,700.00

Stinger Superwide Gear Box w/Soft Drive

Ratios available in 2.09:1 or 2.38:1. Superwide gear boxes are rated for 750 HP. Soft drives include a cushioning system that reduces gear noise.
 
STINGER does make a soft drive for the caddi and they have them in stock. I helped them get them when a1mudpuppy wanted one. If you want one let me know.
 
Rotator does have a soft drive for a Caddy! Their new ones are rated for a 1,0000HP and cost hundred's less then a Stinger! I have ran them both and never had a problem with either one! I prefer the Rotator because you don't have to spend $250 for a crank adaptor for installation a LS1. I will tell you every airboat manufacture will recommend the Stinger for business and political reasons.
 
It's always about the $$$ and politics. Stinger drives are more readily available through a number of boat manufacturers and dealers whereas, correct me if I am wrong here, the Rotator is proprietary to one manufacturer? Just seems like common sense that Stinger gets the vote and more $$$ if that is the case. I couldn't tell you who makes the better box if there is even one better than the other. I don't run either one but I know which one I would like to run on my Caddy.

Here's a question for ya....why is the game monopoly only made by one company? LOL :lol:
 
Hey gang,

Thanks for the quick response.

Got a call from the folks at Stinger today. I have talked to them several times about this gear box situation.

They are going to build me a 2.38 softdrive for my Cadi. They were very helpfull and the price is right inline also. Could'nt ask for much more. It should be ready in just a few days. I wasn't sure if the Rotator would bolt right up, but that proplem is solved.

Thanks again for the quick response

Capt. Catfiah
 
On a stinger box the soft drives are all the same the only difference is the flywheel/flexplate they bolt on the engine. Stinger reccomends a good after market flexplate, no adapters required as far as I know ... just the correct flywheel/flexplate.

They used to use a different drive on the caddis but when I found them the right plates they now use the same softdrive.

Why is it always supposedly politics ... geez how much politics can be involved in a gearbox, unless you want to go back to when panther sued everybody over everything at least that is what i have heard rumors of but only rumors I have not done a public records search on it but it is probably there somewhere.
 
Good Pick capt. catfish
I have a 2:38 on my Caddy and love it. I can't believe I was thinking of using a 1:77
I believe I was a learning curve for Stinger on my box but they stood by what they sell. If I would have stop and look at what I was doing I would have seen my problem before it was a problem.

Customer satisfaction is what Stinger is all about and I'll always use a Stinger Gear Box.
 
Capt, If you decide you want to sell your stinger, I have a friend who rode with me and now wants his first airboat. we are in the process of buiding one. He is looking for a stinger. please let me know if you want to sell yours. thanks...
 
DONT WANT TO GET INTO THIS ! BUT THE ROTATOR IS WAY CHEAPER AND RATED MORE THAN THE OTHER ! YOU GOT TO KNOW BUD TO UNDERSTAND THE DEAL ! JUST MY DEAL !
 
All other airboat manufactures sell Stingers because they don't want the money going back to Classic. It's that simple so all airboat manufactures are pitching Stingers! Country 141 when you install a Stinger on a LS1 you will find out what I mean just ask Bruce at Stinger or someone at Alumitec they will tell you. It's a fact in order to install a Stinger on a LS1 you must buy a $200 to a $250 dollar adaptor I have done this on at least ten occasions when someone ran a Stinger on a LS1. I prefer to run a Rotator on an LS1 because the gearbox is around $450 cheaper plus you don't need a $250 adaptor so it cost around $700 less to put a rotator on a LS1! I don't care to endorse either one I have never had a problem with either box and I have ran some big horsepower on both along with installing a clutch on a Rotator I didn't break that one either. For me if they both have been a 100% reliable and one costs $700 less to install it's a no brainier and I pass that $700 savings on to the customer. I don't care about the politics I'm just an engine builder.
 
Mornin' Gang,

Bruce at Stinger is going to take my gearbox back in trade. I think he feels that the dealer that sold me that unit should have recommened the 2.38 in the first place. He stated he doesn't want unhappy customers and is willing to help out. And Stinger is located very close to where I live and run my boat, so we will save shipping charges. Every little bit helps.

Again, thanks for all the advice.

Sincerely,

Capt. Catfish
 
Great you can't ask for more then that. Up until about a year ago ALL the airboat manufactures preferred to sell the lower ratio box's. They thought a lower ratio meant less engine RPM's. Well with today's props you can run a 2.68 with a prop and only turn around 4,900RPM or so max RPM. Only recently has this mind set been changing in the airboat manufacturing community so don't get to upset with who ya bought the box from they probably thought they were doing what's best.
 
Just and update on the Cadi and the gearbox.

Got the 2.38 gearbox from stinger but had some problems with installation. I didn't realize( got in a hurry) that when I removed the old gearbox, the bushing stayed on the crank. That problem was soon discoverd and I removed it. The new box still would not fit. I had to remove the bushing from the box and with some emory cloth, was able to get the bushing on the crank. This was done after spending some time with a micrometer and differences of opinion with all parties involved.

I was able to bolt the box up and finish the project. And when we fired it off, what a difference. That softdrive box is so quite and smooth. At the first burp of the throttle, 5100 rpms with the prop set on the reference mark. Next I will set the pitch so she will turn about 4800 rpms and then look out!
 
I'm waiting with my blade knife! :lol: My 2.68 Rotator should be on my doorstep tonight or tomorrow. 8)
 
Hey Cold you gotta keep us updated as your airboat project nears completion. You've spent a lot of time thinking and planning out your build and I'm looking forward to reading the results of your efforts on this site.
 
This pretty much marks a full year of research. 2.0 L Toyota to 489 BBC with 2.68 Rotator, (couldn't pass up the box! I thought it was a great deal and cemented the direction of the project). Who said I was to old to learn? :lol: On the other hand, I should probably just come down and buy a hull but I'm a stubborn Uke and I was thinking there ain't many airboat builders up here and It would be a funner way to make a living and, and, so I am in the progress of building the plug for the mold. I figure i can eventually rework the plug for 3 different lengths and then a shallow side deckover. I also have a connection that can build aluminum for me.

I have a buddy with Govt. Public Lands and he says they pay good money to bring the Americans up with their airboats for surveys and such. Jet boat rides on the river go for a buck a minute per passenger.

I don't expect much out of myself. Learn the regulatory hurdles, Decide on a company name, Learn how to build a boat and get the bugs out, Learn how to drive one. Think I can get all that done by spring 2008?
Boat will have to be done much sooner than that. And It will have to be impressive! :lol: :lol:
 
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