2015 STX DX front skid shock upgrade

[Yama4stroke]

I ride a 2015 STX DX 141. Last season the front track arm cracked around a few welds on the last ride of the season and I found out it was because the front skid shock was blown out. None of the cracks were all the way around so I pulled the arm and ground the welds and re-welded everything. Now its time to replace the front skid shock. I also plan to run a Zbroz 160# spring on the new shock as it seems like the right choice for my weight (210-230lbs depending on if I'm doing an overnight trip) and riding type and style, about 99% trails.

From what I have read the STX 141 skid is the same setup as the XTX and MTX but with differing rail lengths.

I read that the 2016 and newer sleds with this skid run a 3/4 in longer shock and that some guys have replaced the shorter 2015 and older shock with the newer, longer shock. I would like to do this as long as no modifications are needed and its just a simple swap that wont cause any issues with the shock being longer.

The part number for the factory front shock on my 2015 has been updated from 8JR-F2201-10-00 to 8JR-F2201-00-00. The part number from a 2016 xtx is 8JR-F2201-20-00.

I know in the past I've always ordered my parts from Country Cat under the XF7000 141 because the Arctic Cat part numbers are always way cheaper. The stock 2015 shock is $85 through Country Cat for the AC part number 2704-669 and its $132 for the same shock with Yamaha part number 8JR-F2201-00-00. I'm currently buying a house so saving some coin is really important at the moment.

Does anybody know if there is an Arctic Cat model that runs the same longer front skid shock as the 2016+ xtx models? If not is there an AC part number for the longer shock? From what I could find all the 2016 and newer 141 AC models are High Countrys that have Evol front skid shocks at $300+. Although it would be nice I'm on a bit of a budget this season.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks

 

[cannondale27]

I dont have a 141 shock here but if you can look at a Yamaha with the known newer setup the Cat part # will be right on the shock. I am also not sure whether they changed the length of the shock. I thought they just moved the mounting position and changed the front arm? As far as I know all the Mountain skids including the 141 run the same shock length and travel but with different valving.

 

[2015ViperMTX]

I dont have a 141 shock here but if you can look at a Yamaha with the known newer setup the Cat part # will be right on the shock. I am also not sure whether they changed the length of the shock. I thought they just moved the mounting position and changed the front arm? As far as I know all the Mountain skids including the 141 run the same shock length and travel but with different valving.

Can also check Yamahasportsplaza they great prices

 

[DTJ]

2016 ARCTIC CAT XF 7000 HIGH COUNTRY 141

SHOCK ABSORBER
2704-786

This should be the one you're looking for. I ordered the Yamaha part number a couple years ago when it was $59.

 

[Yama4stroke]

Awesome, that part number should work. I’m curious if anyone knows for sure if the newer 2016 shock will bolt right in without modification or changes in my 2015. I checked and the front track arm is the same part number in 2015 and 2016 but the shock is different. I’ve read that the 2016 XTX’s had a upgraded rear suspension setup from the pre 2016’s and part of that was a slightly longer shock. Just wanting to make sure there isn’t some other change that I’m not seeing that would inhibit the 2016 shock from functioning properly in my 2015.

Thanks for the help so far

 

[cannondale27]

I am pretty sure the body of 16 is longer. Haven’t checked total length. What this means is the shock could bottom before the arm hits the bumpstops. Might be enough travel but definitely check before running it. Just take spring off and compress arm. Maybe the change they made was shock length and location on rails?

 

[DTJ]

I put it in my 2014 xtx with no problems. But I did test as Cannondale recommended by fully compressing it without the spring installed to make sure it hits the bump stop on the rails before the shock is bottomed out. I've run with the longer shock for about 6000 miles with no problems. Last year my front arm broke (self induced) because I tried remounting the front shock location further forward on the rails which makes it so you can't reach the bump stops. I put the short shock in with the new front arm and ended up switching back to the longer shock because I felt the longer shock had more of a plush feel. Just an FYI. I also run my front skid mount hole in the lower position.

 

[Yama4stroke]

Thanks for the help guys. I’m going to go with the longer 2016 shock and try the Zbroz 160# spring. I hope this helps with the heavy steering and will provide a better ride quality. I could never get it to ride as good as I thought it should. It was always way to soft and bottoming all the time or too stiff once I got it to stop bottoming our. Could never find a happy medium. I’ll let everyone know how it is after I ride it. Just gotta get some snow now.