2015 APEX XTX Slide Suspension Rear Tunnel Mount - 2 Positions?

[Steve Millen]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I noticed a lower hole on the mounting bracket for the slide suspension where it attaches to the tunnel in the rear.

The Slide was factory installed on the upper hole, but I dropped the slide down in the rear to install the Hauck Powersports add on pieces for the tunnel protectors, and was going to reinstall the slide when I noticed the lower hole... if I installed the slide on that hole it would gain about an inch of clearance for studs inside the tunnel.

I'm not sure how this would alter the handling of the sled or if these holes are even for the purpose of mounting the slide lower... any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[steiner]

Most feel the sled gets tippy the more you raise the suspension. I had dropped brackets once. They lasted one ride and they were gone.

 

[maim]

i think it is for more running board clearance when playing in the powder. have not tried to use it yet on my sled.

 

[snowbeast]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I noticed a lower hole on the mounting bracket for the slide suspension where it attaches to the tunnel in the rear.

The Slide was factory installed on the upper hole, but I dropped the slide down in the rear to install the Hauck Powersports add on pieces for the tunnel protectors, and was going to reinstall the slide when I noticed the lower hole... if I installed the slide on that hole it would gain about an inch of clearance for studs inside the tunnel.

I'm not sure how this would alter the handling of the sled or if these holes are even for the purpose of mounting the slide lower... any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Yes it makes the sled on hard pack more tippy,and it is for off trail deep snow removal,so the snow gets out of the suspension quicker and gets you up on top again. Are you saying if you want to stud your 2015 xtx you need to add extra protectors in order to stud your track,i just bought one,but have not taken it home yet,and I did not have the dealer stud it,because I wanted to run it a few weeks stud free and stud it myself,do I need tunnel protectors for this sled?

 

[Steve Millen]

Yes it makes the sled on hard pack more tippy,and it is for off trail deep snow removal,so the snow gets out of the suspension quicker and gets you up on top again. Are you saying if you want to stud your 2015 xtx you need to add extra protectors in order to stud your track,i just bought one,but have not taken it home yet,and I did not have the dealer stud it,because I wanted to run it a few weeks stud free and stud it myself,do I need tunnel protectors for this sled?

Sorry - I couldn't say if the additional protection is necessary. I didn't try running with studs without the extra protectors; however, I have seen pics in this forum of people who had scrapes / scratches on their exhaust from studs on a XTX. I'm adding the extra protectors more from the Ounce of Prevention is worth a Pound of Cure perspective.

The XTX has aluminum tunnel protectors from the factory. The studs stick up slightly past the track paddles so the extra protectors from Hauck Powersports make up that difference by attaching to the factory protectors and making them a little thicker.

 

[Sasquatch]

Do they stop the stock brackets from bending? Because that is the problem with the stock brackets. They are a V of sorts and bend reducing clearance, most I've seen overcome this by putting braces between or new brackets.

 

[02ViperMody44]

I reinforced the tunnel protector mounting brackets on my XTX with rubber stoppers(round/cone shaped style from Lowes in the nut/bolt drawers) and I added the Hauck protectors, which adds about an 1/8" hyfax to the tunnel protectors. This may have been too much, as I noticed that on two of my tunnel protector mounting bolts, through the tunnel, the tunnel had cracks that I had welded up this season. I think w/ both the Hauck and the reinforced mounts, it allowed the track to come in contact with the protectors and eventually led to the cracks, so I removed the Hauck protectors to give a little more clearance in my tunnel. FYI

 

[Malibu]

i tried it.one ride,and back to stock.I have a 44mm backcountry track,and there where some funny sounds.did not feel any better.