customizing a TD Zillion

[BassinSoldier]

  How customizable is the american TD Zillion?  I got one for my birthday and when I get back from Iraq I am thinkin bout makin this one my first little project reel.  Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Aaron]

From what I have read you can upgrade bearings, upgrade drag, change gears, change handle, and change the handle knobs among other things.

[Raul]

Well, you can 't change the regular knobs for cork or aluminum knobs in the domestic version. In order to do that you 'll have to purchase the spool/drag star/knob assembly, that will chew up about $120 bones out of your wallet:

another would be changing the handle for a carbon fiber swept handle:

and having to purchase the knobs cuz you can 't remove the knobs from a domestic model. That will cost you another 40 bones to the 100 dollars the handle is worth.

I don 't know, well, you didn 't spend on the reel because it was a birthday present, but if I had to purchase the reel and then change the handle I think I 'd rather purchase a Steez reel instead.

[BassinSoldier]

The steez woulda beena no go anyway cuz this baby's gonna see some salt from time to time too.  Every time I go back home to FL on leave I terrorize the reds and trout and I use my bass gear for this too.

[BassinSoldier]

 Also, I am just an enlisted guy, so the Steez is WAY outta my price range.  Hell if it wasn't for my family back home in FL throwin in all together I wouldn't have gotten the Zillion.  I am SO excited about this reel!  I may have the go ahead to get the Zillion Rod too when I get back in Jan...Christmas present from the wife. ;D  Thanks for any help u guys can offer tho on where to find parts!

[Raul]

Thanks for any help u guys can offer tho on where to find parts!

You can get the handle/star drag/knob assembly from BPS or from Brooklyn Bill, the swept carbon fiber handle from Plat ( in Japan ).

[BassinSoldier]

Thanks Raul!

[Gone_Phishin]

You can upgrade the stock spool bearings to ABEC 5 ceramics.  Check out www.smoothdrag.com.  Set #12 will fit your Zillion.  Here you can also purchase the carbontex drag upgrade.  Well worth it, and not too expensive.

[Raul]

If you are going to upgrade drag pads and bearings better have it done by a professional like Reel Mech. I 'm shure he can install tthe handle/knob assembly if you provide him with it.

[.RM.]

Yea set #12 will do if you think you need Ceramic's, set #34 does the trick if your only into Stainless Steel. Plus the Carbontex Pads for it....

All of them I have in my Supply Shop

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

[BassinSoldier]

Yeah ReelMech, yours was the first site I looked at.  I saw that u had the bearings and the carbontex pads.  You might be havin some business from me early next year when I am back from this place for good.  Do the upgraded bearings make very much of a difference in casting distance?  And the drag upgrade, how noticeable is that?  I really wish the handle knobs had bearings, thats a real shame.  I see that the bearing and drag upgrades really won't set me back too much, I am happy about that.  Thanks again to all you guys for all the info and help!  I can't wait to get back home and out on the water!

[.RM.]

BassinSoldier,

Do the upgraded bearings make very much of a difference in casting distance?

In my reels (older 97 Curado's)I used the ABEC5 Stainless Steel, and I would say I got a 5% increase in casting.

And the drag upgrade, how noticeable is that?

I used the Carbontex drag pads to replaced the stock greased pads in them and I would say it added 2 to 3 lbs to the max drags power and a butt load smoother (dry).

Just my .02¢ from the bench..

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

[Raul]

. Do the upgraded bearings make very much of a difference in casting distance?

Why is it everybody is so foscused in casting distance ? it ain 't the distance my friend what you gain, the gain is marginal, it 's the easiness what is important, the ammount of energy you need to initiate the rotation of the spool, better bearings reduce the ammount of energy you need, that means in the longer run ( throughout the day ) less fatigue. Young guns may not see any benefit, but old farts with shoulder joints problems like me sure benefit from that.

And the drag upgrade, how noticeable is that?

You gain a couple of pounds in the pressure, but the most important gain is the responsiveness of the drag, non studdering or non locking smooth as silk operational drag.

[Chad.]

.  Do the upgraded bearings make very much of a difference in casting distance?

Why is it everybody is so foscused in casting distance ? it ain 't the distance my friend what you gain, the gain is marginal, it 's the easiness what is important, the ammount of energy you need to initiate the rotation of the spool, better bearings reduce the ammount of energy you need, that means in the longer run ( throughout the day ) less fatigue. Young guns may not see any benefit, but old farts with shoulder joints problems like me sure benefit from that.

And the drag upgrade, how noticeable is that?

You gain a couple of pounds in the pressure, but the most important gain is the responsiveness of the drag, non studdering or non locking smooth as silk operational drag.

Raul knows what he is talking about and you pitching will be much better with the bearings and you can also get the zillion hyper long cast spool.