Athearn "Sound Ready" Frame in SD40-2????

[nebrzephyr]

Does anyone know for sure if you can replace the frame in the more recent SD40-2's with the Athearn "Sound Ready" frame (ATH98542)? Athearn's description mentions the SD40/45 but doesn't say if it can be used in the SD40-2.

TIA. Bob

[Deleted]

No. the SD40-2 is a different frame/wheelbase.

[riogrande]

I don't think the SD40 or SD45 frame is compatible with the SD40-2 - different lengths isn't it?

Athearn does offer DCC/Sound versions of the SD40-2 so I would guess the best bet is to see if you can obtain one of those frames. Try contacting Athearn parts

[e-mail]

[nebrzephyr]

Thanks guys for the replies. For some reason I was thinking the SD45 and SD40-2 were the same length.

Bob

[Deleted]

Dec 9, 2017 6:33:51 GMT -8 nebrzephyr said:

Thanks guys for the replies. For some reason I was thinking the SD45 and SD40-2 were the same length.

Bob

SD45-2 and SD40-2 have the same frame.

Brian

[nebrzephyr]

Had no experience with the last run of Athearn SD40-2 until recently. Turns out Athearn has “tweaked” the frame. This latest run now has 2 screws holding the shell to the frame (in addition to the couplers). Also they changed the rear weight to allow a speaker to be added, similar to the SD40/SD45 “sound ready” frame. These current SD40-2 are in a new box with a sticker “now sound ready”.

Bob

Edit forgot to mention a couple other things. The "new" frame with accept the Genesis motor, with no grinding out of the frame (ala KATO motor with the Athearn style mounts). If you do the Genesis motor replacement do need to replace the rear dog bone with a longer one.

Also, Athearn has added "shrink wrap" on the wire connections to the truck frames. I always thought that wa a "weak link" and did that on the older Athearn RTR engines.