R&R vs R...
I was looking for advice from someone who had a “short” leg mount and has installed the “long” leg mount and gear. Van told me it could be 6 months or longer to get the new mount and gear. Does the new mount match up with old bolt holes? Thanks for any help!
Hey Fox Bravo,
I agree wholeheartedly with repair vs replace. There are plenty of talented welders in Central FL, I used to live there.
Years ago I R&R'd my Conical mount RV4 short gear for a Dynafocal short gear in lieu of installing a
Hot Rod 0-320. I chose to remain short gear as I wanted min down time, easy swap hole for hole, same legs and fairings, brake lines etc. A guy on this site swapped me even including legs as he wanted everything matched. I
broke protocol and powder coated the new legs and mount bright red and reinstalled with the new engine.
Easy peasey..
I've flown numerous RV4's with long/short/bent and otherwise landing gear. Yes,
Long Gear Fours land a bit better in 3 point, get off a tad quicker due to the increased AOA and look better, otherwise it's moot. My home strip in FL back then was 1500' of rough, soft turf with trees. No worries.
Arguably the short gear has better forward visibility, lighter weight (by a smidge) less drag and lower cost to keep or repair rather than replace.
It all boils down to the $$$.
V/R
Smokey