How to change tube length on Minn Kota Terrova trolling motor - easy!

[Smoak352]

I purchased my 2400 Pathfinder with a 60" tube but when using spot lock in any kind of waves or even if there were a few people on the back of the boat the bow would be too high in the air and the prop would come out of the water. I called Minn Kota and bought the 72" tube with the lower unit for $545.90 plus shipping. 

I could not find a "how-to" anywhere online so I thought I would give it a try and create one. I hope someone finds this helpful. It was very easy to do and required minimal tools below. 

 

 

Here is the trolling motor with the 60" tube and the new 72" tube. 

 

Step 1 is to remove the bolt that holds the control head to the shaft. This has a small nut on the back but no socket is requires because the molding on the head holds it in place. 

Now remove the 4 screws that hold the top of the control head together exposing the wiring. 

 

The coil cord consists of 3 wires: positive, negative, and the I-pilot cable (2 yellow dots). The I-pilot cable simply pulls apart. 

Remove the heat shrink from the power supply wires. 

Now you the control head is free to remove from the tube. 

After you remove the control head, remove the depth collar. 

Now this collar is in two pieces and has 4 screws holding the two pieces together and one screw holding it to the retractable metal tape - do not remove this screw. Only remove the 4 screws that hold the two pieces of collar together. 

Leave this bolt in place. 

Now you can slide the old tube out and the new tube in. 

 

There is a metal tape that reminds me of a measuring tape that rolls up. 

The metal tape is spring loaded and can be seen here. 

Feed the lead wires from the new tube back through. 

Slide the depth collar on to the new tube before attaching the control head. 

Connect the red and black wires and add heat shrink. Connect the pilot wire.

Connect the top of the control head with the 4 screws. 

Lastly, hold the nut in place while screwing the bolt to attach the control head back on to the tube. 

[Smoak352]

I have the 60" tube for sale if anyone needs one. 

 

[Wanaflatsfish]

most excellent post

Mod's, put a keeper post on it

dc

 

[smilemaker]

why didn't you simply replace the shaft with longer one and new wire. 

not easy to unscrew from motor but it is designed to be done.

would have been a lot cheaper.

[Smoak352]

7 hours ago, smilemaker said:

why didn't you simply replace the shaft with longer one and new wire. 

not easy to unscrew from motor but it is designed to be done.

would have been a lot cheaper.

Because I called Minn Kota and they don't sell just the tube, and they said that the tube is sealed to the lower unit and is not meant to be detached. Since this is the part that is submerged in the salt water, I would not want the unit to seize up from corrosion. 

[smilemaker]

they must have changed the  design.  original shaft unscrewed and when you put the new one on you just used locktight to seal it.

I  guess the  proper phraseology is how  to  change the  lower unit.

I  wonder if you can still buy the o rings to allow you to rebuild the motor. it used to be a  easy job.