Adaptor bracket to tip up a zx2 like the XTX?

[rock doc]

Does anyone know if you can get an adaptor to tip up the zx2 made by A D Bovin? I'd like to stretch to 144" or 151" but do a lot of trail riding too. I sent a pm to Muffin Works last night to see if they could fab something. I already have the extension kit for the zx2 to extend to 136", but based on the info on this website I don't think it will do the trick.

Thought maybe someone could make an alum. rail extension to bolt between the exsisting rail and the extension to tip it up and make it a 144" or even 151". Maybe it is too much work...just thought it would look pretty sharp and work well in powder. Thoughts?? I think a few peps would be interested in this option.

 

[dhkr123]

Assuming that zx2 can be safely relocated, you should be able to easily do this by setting it back 4" in the tunnel. If you own a couple of FILES (rat tail, flat coarse), and a DRILL, you should easily be able to tip it up. I suggest only modifying the EXTENSION and leaving the main rails as they are.

 

[rock doc]

Interesting feedback dhkr123! I had thought about filing the extension, but was unsure if this could be safely done. So you think that the leading edge of the extension where it bolts to the 121" skid can be filed to tip it up? Would new brackets be required as well to couple the extension to the skid.

Why does the skid need to be mounted back 4" (I am assuming relative to the Jack Shaft). I've heard that people do this to change the approach angle but thought that this was an optional mod to get it to float in deep snow better.

 

[kinger]

He is saying use your 136" extension and mount it back to get your 144" track to work.

A aluminum spacer is a great idea if its cheaper then the composite one from AD. $350 for extensions suck!

One nice thing about the Zx2 is you can remove the extensions so for me I run it in a 121" size, then I bolt on the 151" extensions and set the skid back to hold a 162" track. Come back from the mountains and convert it back to a 121" again.

 

[rock doc]

OK Kinger - thanks for clearing that up. Will that reduce the footprint of the skid? I see how it would reduce the approach angle - is there a downside to this modification? I know everything is a trade off.

Am I correct in thinking that this almost does the same thing as tipping the rails up on the trailing end only your contact patch is increased in the front of the skid due to the reduced approach angle.

I also think that shaving the extention will throw the side brackets out of alignment.

I think I'm getting closer to where I want to be. Essentially we run 80% groomed and 20% powder. But when we are 100 miles from the nearest gas station and we get 2-3' of fresh snow overnight it is important to be able to break trail. We also break trail into my camp and we seem to be spending more time off trail every year. Right now my Apex is a boat anchor in the deep snow. So I am really looking to make my Ape into a crossover. Is ther any reason why I couldn't go to 151' with tipped up rails? Why limit to 144"? I figure there is lot's of power on tap to turn a big track with the Ape and it would be a head turner for sure.

 

[rock doc]

I thought about it a bit and I'm guessing that moving the skid back 4" may put more weight on the skis, more stable in a staight line and make it a slower to steer...?

 

[dhkr123]

The lower approach angle will have more of an effect on deep snow performance than the additional length. Effect on steering is negligible. VERIFY THAT THE SKID IS COMPATIBLE WITH SETBACK BEFORE ATTEMPTING.

Not being particularly familiar with the zx2 suspension, I don't know if you can simply modify and reuse the existing brackets, but maybe.

I'm not certain what you mean by throwing side brackets out of alignment. As long as you do both sides exactly the same, everything should remain in perfect alignment.