Bobcat 310 lift cylinder replacement?

[BYOBCAT]

So my 310 was leaking out of both lift and tilt cylinders badly and i ordered all of the seals and went down to my shop with the intent of rebuilding them all one evening. I spent the first 20 minutes building a custom tool to lock into the cylinder pins and allow me to twist off the top of each cylinder (That was the idea anyway) first lift cylinder worked like a charm. 2nd lift cylinder had to use a pipe wrench with a handle extension. At this point i was averaging 1 cylinder a night, not very efficient but the lift cylinders were done and not leaking. Onto the tilt cylinders (2 additional evenings %50 success). Had to completely remove them from the machine after attempting several times with pipe wrench with no success. Put one in the vice and was able to break it free, the 2nd one i cannot seam to break free despite all of the methods i have tried including heat. The cylinder head will be shot by the time I get it out if i can which started me researching if i have to can i just replace the cylinder??????? Anyone on here done that successfully???? Bobcat doesnt make them anymore. I can replace the cylinder head for $110 if i can somehow get the other out and not mess up the cylinder itself. Looking for alternate ideas/advice thanks in advance. its a double acting cylinder 2 inch (50.8mm) bore diameter 1 inch (25.4mm) rod diameter 13.68 inch (347.5mm) stroke.

 

[Tazza]

See if you can drill the head out before you replace the cylinder with an after market one. Get some long drill bits, push the rod all the way in and drill around the head, try to keep it straight to not hit the cylinder or rod. Sort of try to get the holes real close, then you can twist to cut a slot between the holes, then hit the outside of the cylinder inwards to collapse the threaded part to allow it to un-screw.
Sadly I have had to do this a few times.....