Attak approach angle

[Quipper16]

So I have read alot of threads but havent really found the answer I am looking for. The season is ending and I will being doing some work to my 06 Attak. I do a fair amount of off trail riding and am always getting stuck (track just trenches like mad) i know this is due to the steep approach angle of the track. I will be putting either a 1.5 or 1.75 lug track on it. just wondering what options i have to fix the approach angle. Relocating the skid back? Could i stretch it out to a 144? or would a better option be to replace the skid with a different one altogether, if so what are some good skids to put in? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[sideshowBob]

If you are riding the sled in the steep and deep like a mountain sled you probably should stretch it out to 144" by moving the suspension back to reduce the approach angle as well as gain length.
But...
If you are only playing in the deep snow in relative flat lander style I think you would be amazed at the difference a decent track will make on you 136" Attak.
The original ripsaw track that came on the Attaks is probably one of the worst off trail tracks I have even had on a sled!
If you change to 8 tooth extroverts, remove the tunnel protectors and put on a 1 3/4" track you will not believe you are riding the same sled off trail.
When we removed the 144 x 1 1/4 ripsaw track off one of our SXs and installed a Crossover 1 1/2" it completely changed its deep snow capabilities from mediocre to great.

JM.02c

 

[Quipper16]

I would like to play in the steep and deep. I find myself sitting back and watching my friends climb hills because i know if i try to i will just get stuck. I would really like to move the suspension back to make it a 144" Has anyone done this? is there a template or measurements out there for drilling? do i need to get or make new drop brackets? would this put more strain on the rear shock due to the leverage? I will be putting and new shock in the skid as well and was thinking I should put the big boy spring in. ( i am 220lbs without gear).

 

[Viper_Dave]

I ram my 06 Attak for one trip with just a Hartman 144 extension and a 136 Predator track. BIG difference!! The aftermarket tunnel extension allowed the rear of the sled to rotate down without digging in. 7" Powderhounds on the front helped as well. The geometry of the Mono skid doesn't lend itself to reliability when set back. Do rail and tunnel extensions, pull your tunnel protection out, front and top. Stick a 1.5 Crossover or a 1.75 Backcountry in it and go ride!

 

[Quipper16]

Did you put the 144" hartman rail extensions on your attak as well? Ive read bad things about doing that as well, that its not good for the mono skid, have you had any problems with it? is it still good on trail. I do quite a bit of trail riding but i just want to be able to at least follow my friends, they are riding pro rmk's, doo backcountry's, and summits. They always laugh at me with my heavy 4 stroke that can't go anywhere without getting stuck.

 

[Viper_Dave]

I installed a 136 Expert X set back to a 144 right after the above described trip. Ran a 1.5 Crossover for 5,000 miles in that sled. As far as trail riding, I never had any issues. Using 8" Bergstrom Triplepoints on the Powderhounds, shimmed and toed slightly in.. Turned great in all conditions. The Expert can be setback with the only issue being reduced transfer. Approach angle is 13 deg. Pops right up on top of the snow.

 

[Quipper16]

Ok thanks. Still not sure what I want to do. Dont want to spend a lot of money. Would like to keep my project under $2500. That's new track, suspension, skis, seat, riser. If there was a way to reduce the approach angle I would just keep it at 136 and put a 136"x16"x 1.75" backcountry.

 

[hibshman25]

From research I did last year, the mono shock skid with extensions on it rails increases track tension when compressed. To prevent added stress to track and suspension you need to run the track loose, and therefore install extrovert drivers. I also learned that approach angle is very critical to keeping sled on top. Keeping the stock suspension and adding rail extensions does not yield the same results as a purpose built 144 skid set back in the skid.

While easier, I was not content to just extend the 136 mono. I ended up puting an xtx 144 skid into my 136 vector ( same tunnel as attak). The skid fit without having to even extend the tunnel. I made some custom brackets which bolted in to existing holes in the tunnel. Only had to drill two holes on each side of the tunnel. I'm probably going to offer these plates for sale. I need to get some photos for anther member interested and can post some up if interested.

I currently have (2) xtx 144 skids. I'd be at $600 for one complete with shocks if interested.

 

[Quipper16]

I would like to see pictures. I would be very interested in putting in an xtx 144 skid.

 

[Quipper16]

I have someone local who has a venture 144 skid for sale. Would this be as good or does the venture also have the steep approach angle? Any problems with putting a venture skid into an attak?

 

[hibshman25]

I would like to see pictures. I would be very interested in putting in an xtx 144 skid.

Here are a few pics. The rear mount uses a custom drop bracket that bolts to the existing drop bracket. The brackets are 1/8" thick and beings they mount on the inside of the factory brackets 1/8" must be trimmed off each end of the aluminum cross shaft.

The front mount is a triangle bracket that mounts on the outside and matches up with 2 existing holes in the tunnel for the mono mount. The front most mount of the triangle bracket is the new hole for the 144 skid. The triangle bolts in place and then serves as a guide to drill the new through hole in tunnel. This hole still catches the steel mono plate so its reinforced and solid mount hole.

When the skid is installed it is mounted at same position in tunnel as the factory apex xtx sleds. I got all my dimensions from an apex xtx when I designed my plates. I have them drawn in autocad and can get some laser cut and powder coated.

The finished plates would have rounded corners and look cleaner. Photos are of my prototype mounts that we tested all season on the sled.

 

[CaptCaper]

The rear mounts for the Attak are different then your ltx Vector right? I know I have a solid shaft across for the upper wheels and the LTX has wheels mounted independently on each side. These years use different brackets ? so your's won't work on my Attak?

 

[hibshman25]

The rear mounts for the Attak are different then your ltx Vector right? I know I have a solid shaft across for the upper wheels and the LTX has wheels mounted independently on each side. These years use different brackets ? so your's won't work on my Attak?

The drop brackets are actually the same for all 136 mono I and Mono II suspensions.. I even double checked part numbers again just to be sure. Below is a list of models my mounts would work on.

06-07 Attak
08-10 Apex LTX
06-07 Rage
08-15 Vector LTX