Adding Tilt/Trim to a '73 Johnson 85: Should I do it?

[ezmobee]

I have a '73 Johnson 85 that currently does not have power tilt and trim. I would really like to have this on my boat for occaisionally running in shallower waters. If I could get my hands on an old trim unit for this motor for a reasonable price should I do it? Would this be difficult to install? Should it break in the future will I have any chance of finding parts for it? From what I understand they changed the T/T system in 1976 so parts for those and newer units wouldn't work.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Adding Tilt/Trim to a '73 Johnson 85: Should I do it?

The thing is! finding these unit's in good condition as they can get exspensive to repair. I really don't know what part's are still available. A new drive motor as I recall is over $200, maybe more.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Adding Tilt/Trim to a '73 Johnson 85: Should I do it?

Having done without it for many many years I finally got an engine with it in the mid '80's. Haven't been without it since.

But R has a valid point. Maybe on your next engine........looks like a good excuse to upgrade

Mark

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Adding Tilt/Trim to a '73 Johnson 85: Should I do it?

I don't forsee ever "repowering" my current boat. My boat isn't exactly my ideal set up (closed bow). I really want a bowrider. But as I don't want to, nor can I afford to, buy a different boat right now I was going to put some money into making this one as close to ideal as I can get. But if you guys don't think it's worth it maybe I'll hold off. It is a b!tch hauling that 85 out of the water though!

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Adding Tilt/Trim to a '73 Johnson 85: Should I do it?

You might look at CMC (COOK-MFG.COM) .They make an add on plate that does trim and tilt.It's pricey,but you can save it for your next boat,or sell it to recoup your investment.

DHP

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Adding Tilt/Trim to a '73 Johnson 85: Should I do it?

Check this item number on ebay. 170095633906 It is the type of unit that was made for the early units.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Adding Tilt/Trim to a '73 Johnson 85: Should I do it?

ok, i looked at the ebay unit. $179. without solenoids, wiring harness, switches. sure it will raise an empty, exhaust housing. but thats no test. here's a link to the CMC unit. true it's $525, but works, by the time you get the ebay unit working properly, you have 300 in it. buy new, if you later up grade it will handle a new motor, or change to another boat.

http://www.iboats.com/CMC_PT_130_Hy...5660691--list_time.1175274458--view_id.221439

 

[Thumpbass]

Re: Adding Tilt/Trim to a '73 Johnson 85: Should I do it?

another thing you have to consider with the pre-'78 units is that they take up a considerable amount of space on the transom. The later models are all contained within the transom brackets so you don't have to worry about having enough flat space for the trim motor and such to mount to. On my '79 trihull bass boat, the transom is 72" wide but the way it's contoured and shaped, a TnT system with the motor out to the side like that would not fit. You may not have that problem but you certainly want to check it out before you buy one. You more than likely would not have that problem with the CMC unit.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Adding Tilt/Trim to a '73 Johnson 85: Should I do it?

The unit on Ebay is the right unit and the seller is well known.

It is unlikely in the extreme that anyone is going to get that unit for the current $179. price. It is worth twice that on a bad day.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Adding Tilt/Trim to a '73 Johnson 85: Should I do it?

To be honest....that was the unit that sparked this discussion for me. I didn't want to mention it cuz I didn't want to point anyone else to the auction :'( What I don't like about the CMC unit is that it sets the outboard out further. My boat is already stern-heavy and sits in the water kinda stupid when not in motion. I would think offsetting the motor another couple inches would make it even worse.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Adding Tilt/Trim to a '73 Johnson 85: Should I do it?

nice family oriented boat. if you like to drift fish or troll, as i do, these are great, as they come off easily, except for the track, which doesn't get in the way of family fun.

http://www.lakelandproducts.com/trac_systems_&_holders.htm

 

[ezeke]

Re: Adding Tilt/Trim to a '73 Johnson 85: Should I do it?

Don't know if you are still following this, but I thought that you might want to know that around 1975, OMC came out with a pressurized shock absorber that made manually tilting the V4 motors much easier.

If you try some of the older dealerships they may still have some, The part # is 386756 and is stamped on the housing. It is a direct replacement for #385532.