Oil Change Access

[Mountaintech]

Is the access to the oil filter and drain plug adequate on the Viper chassis?

 

[Yamadog]

Yes they are not hard to get to through the inspection cover in the belly. You need to jack it up or put it on a lift to get under it. The drain plug on the oil tank is akward an you need to make a funnel out of a 1/2 gallon milk jug to get the oil to drain through the cut out in the running boards because it does not line up and can make a real mess.

 

[RTX]

Yes they are not hard to get to through the inspection cover in the belly. You need to jack it up or put it on a lift to get under it. The drain plug on the oil tank is akward an you need to make a funnel out of a 1/2 gallon milk jug to get the oil to drain through the cut out in the running boards because it does not line up and can make a real mess.

Agreed. You NEED to have some sort of funnel to divert the drain oil
If i remember correctly,
I pulled the exhaust when i did my oil change because i had to adjust the chain.
Having the exhaust off gives you a fairly large access hole through to the bottom of the motor.

 

[Mountaintech]

Do you think the bellypan is stout enough to act as a skidplate?

 

[cannondale27]

Do you think the bellypan is stout enough to act as a skidplate?

No. It's not like nytro where a dent in it could be catastrophic but the pan will not take even a light hit without bending.

 

[RTX]

Do you think the bellypan is stout enough to act as a skidplate?

No not at all.
There appears to be little to nothing for protection down there. Some very thin metal.
If you watch the second to last post/video yellowknife posted in his season long video thread. He has torn both sides open on the belly and does not remember hitting anything.
In my opinion a belly pan is a must do on this sled

You thinking about building a nice thick aluminum skid plate for us like you did on the nytro???
If so try to get it to cover the brake and chain case they appear susceptible to damage

 

[cannondale27]

Yes that little plastic cup under rotor got ripped off mine and I never felt or saw anything. Bent the edge pan is attached to on that side.

 

[TestMaster]

The belly pan must be removed to change oil but I beleive it's a small price to pay. Also I think someone on the site was cutting a hole with a hole saw and putting in plugs to access the drain plugs. That could speed the oil change process significantly!

 

[stingray719]

I drilled a small hole to let melted snow out and found it worked fairly well for oil too....lol

 

[Mountaintech]

No not at all.
There appears to be little to nothing for protection down there. Some very thin metal.
If you watch the second to last post/video yellowknife posted in his season long video thread. He has torn both sides open on the belly and does not remember hitting anything.
In my opinion a belly pan is a must do on this sled

You thinking about building a nice thick aluminum skid plate for us like you did on the nytro???
If so try to get it to cover the brake and chain case they appear susceptible to damage

I'm looking into skid plate possibilities. Focusing on A arms and running boards right now.

 

[TestMaster]

I'm looking into skid plate possibilities. Focusing on A arms and running boards right now.

Have you checked out the Viper Mountain Forum? I've not looked there but it seems like they might have what your looking for. Just checked, looks like your all over the mountain Viper Forum.

 

[Mountaintech]

Have you checked out the Viper Mountain Forum? I've not looked there but it seems like they might have what your looking for. Just checked, looks like your all over the mountain Viper Forum.

Should have been more specific. I design and build the parts mentioned.

 

[TestMaster]

Well obviously you do LOL! My DUH!

 

[SRViperFanatic]

Anybody put a skid plate on their Viper? Is it easily removed to change the oil filter or do you have to drill and re-rivet it?

 

[Nytro40th]

I did, it goes on with nuts and bolts.