Converting HO Life-Like cars from horn-hook to knuckle

I have a small fleet of freight cars with truck mounted horn hook couplers that I want to convert to kadee style knuckle couplers.

They are the one piece type from Lifelike and others which use a plastic post to snap the trucks into the underbody and the horn hook couplers are part of these trucks.

Can anyone recommend the easiest/cheapest way to convert them?

Does someone make a replacement trucks with standard coupler boxes that would snap in with the same plastic post?

Do you just cut off the horn hook couple and body mount a standard coupler box?

ANy advice would be welcome.
Thanks,
T-croz

There is a lot more to upgrading KDs than one thinks. KD makes over forty couplers for various applications.
Here's a few sits that will help.
http://www.nmra.org/beginner/couplers.html
www.kadee.com/conv/list.htm
For the tools http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page120.htm
For the tools http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page160.htm

www.mchenrycouplers.com makes the snap, just scroll down to their #56 and click but may not be applicable to your type of car.

KD does make the talgo truck with KD mounted couplers but are pricey.
Here's an example http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page103.htm

Performance/operating wise, IMO the KD is the best.

Do you have plastic or metal wheels on your cars?
If plastic, here's another idea.
http://www.nmra.org/beginner/wheelsets.html

Remember, there are over 17 different axle replacement lenghts
but P2K and Intermountain seem to meet most car/truck specifications.

As you ad rolling stock you are better off paying a little bit more
for the above built in features.

Chuck,

Thanks....and I have learned this lesson....but not before I acquired "a small fleet of freight cars".

Nothing time and money won't solve, right!

Thanks again.
T-croz

The hobby is a learning experience. Education is the horse, experience is the jockey and that part will be expensive

There's so much info out there, but we don't know how to access it all.

I didn't know the difference between 18" & 22/24"rail until my cars kept on derailing.
When they say 24", they mean it.