Going to be doing some work on the sled and have the axle out, it came with the 1.75" track and now runs a 1.25". Current drivers are servicable but could use some TLC/trueing. Would there be any advantage going to the larger 8t driver? Gearing has already been changed to 24/37.
Change 7t to 8t drivers on 2016XTX
- Thread starter A&Shuntr
- Start date
JM.02c
Your 2016 XTX Apex came with a 146" x 1.75" Back Country track new.
With that 1.75" track it needed 7 tooth x 2.86" drivers for clearance.
Larger drivers, if you have the needed clearance, are more efficient and less likely to ratchet.
If you are installing a 146" x 1.25" track you now should have the clearance for 8 tooth x 2.86" drivers.
Increasing from 7 x 2.86" drivers to 8 x 2.86" drivers is like gearing the sled up 13% and that is a big change!
The Apex 146" XTX is a big heavy sled so, IMO, if you do go to 8 tooth drivers I would recommend you change your gearing to something more around 21/37[1.76:1] as that would still allow decent top end speed but maintain good trail throttle response. I suggest changing the top gear as it is more readily available and less money. Your sled should have a 70 link chain right now but you would need a 68 link chain to run 21/37 gears.
As a side note:
I have my 136 Yamacharged Attak geared at 22/40[1.82:1] and it easily exceeds 100mph with great throttle response and acceleration on the trails.
Your 2016 XTX Apex came with a 146" x 1.75" Back Country track new.
With that 1.75" track it needed 7 tooth x 2.86" drivers for clearance.
Larger drivers, if you have the needed clearance, are more efficient and less likely to ratchet.
If you are installing a 146" x 1.25" track you now should have the clearance for 8 tooth x 2.86" drivers.
Increasing from 7 x 2.86" drivers to 8 x 2.86" drivers is like gearing the sled up 13% and that is a big change!
The Apex 146" XTX is a big heavy sled so, IMO, if you do go to 8 tooth drivers I would recommend you change your gearing to something more around 21/37[1.76:1] as that would still allow decent top end speed but maintain good trail throttle response. I suggest changing the top gear as it is more readily available and less money. Your sled should have a 70 link chain right now but you would need a 68 link chain to run 21/37 gears.
As a side note:
I have my 136 Yamacharged Attak geared at 22/40[1.82:1] and it easily exceeds 100mph with great throttle response and acceleration on the trails.
Thanks, anybody offhand know the OD difference of the 7 vs. 8? Could you run a 1.5" track with the 8t? Seems like there is mountains of clearance now with the 7t.
RobX-1
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Yes, this is exactly what I did on my '18 Apex XTX where unlike in '17-'16 where you could get the XTX in a 1.25" or a 1.75, for the '18, if you wanted the XTX, you had to accept the 1.75" with 7 tooth drivers. Therefore, when I initially swapped out the Backcountry 1.75" with a Ripsaw II 1.25", I also swapped out the 7 tooth drivers and replaced with 8 tooth drivers. When I compared the '17 XTX w/ 1.25" track vs the '16-'18 XTX 1.75" track, the gearing was the same so I didn't have to change anything in the chain case.
I have since replaced the Ripsaw II 1.25" with a Ice Storm 1.5" and there is still plenty of room. Now, if you were to get the Storm 1.5" and choose to stud it, then there may be some clearenace issues but they may still be minimal.
