Mirco-Trains coupler conversion on Life-Like GP18

I am trying to install coupler conversions on several GP’s from Life-Like.

The engines have draft gear on the truck frame as opposed to the body mount style that easily accepts the 1015. I make the assumption that the 1128 should fit this unit based on limited experience (dropped right into an atlas-kato SD frame). I have tried filing the draft gear as spec’d in the instructions but it does not seem to improve performance. I also notice there is a significant gap between the metal “spring clip” and the inside of the bolster. The major problem is that everything just seems tight and/or out of alignment and/or? Well, it just aint right… Any sugestions, tips, techniques appreciated.

The MT chart breaks these down by pre-1995 and post-1995 truck frames. How does one readily identify this?

The engine is stamped “08494” on the bottom of the fuel tank. Is this a date code?

What is the difference between the 1135 kit spec’d for the pre-95 truck and the 1128 for the post-95 truck?

Finally, how does one identify a 2004 LL model (vs. a pre '04 model) as listed on the MT conversion page?

Thanks for any advice, Bryan

The 2004 release has body mounted couplers[8D] It uses the 1015 conversion. The older ones have truck mounted couplers.

I just used the 1166 body mount conversion on the GP18’s with truck mounted coupler. It’s easy[:D]