How many studs and what pattern?

[WVTurboLTX]

I'm running 144 in singles and doubles on my Turbo LTX by the way. You can't really do that with the odd number of rows but I think 135 should be fine.

 

[Blue Dave]

Thanks guys for all of the feedback!

I am now second guessing the 3-3-3-4-4 153 stud pattern because of possible vibration and also because Fast Trac sells their studs in bags 0f 24, 48, 96, & 144 which means that I can do a 135 stud pattern out of a bag of 144 with some extras to have on hand if I bend or break a stud. Perhaps 3-3-3-3-3 utilizing 135 studs is the way to go on the 129" 45 window track!

Therefore I created this pattern that utilizes 135 studs. Three studs per row, five rows per pattern, repeating nine times, creating 15 unique scratch lines on a 129" 45 window track .

 

[ApexXTX/Viper]

I'm 3-2-3-2 pattern 113 studs similar to 135 pattern minus 1 per other bar ,great for trail riding

You are running the stock "McGregor" pattern and end up with two repeat rows of threes back to back at the start and finish rows.

 

[Blue Dave]

You are running the stock "McGregor" pattern and end up with two repeat rows of threes back to back at the start and finish rows.

My severe OCD would never allow that to happen! LOL!

 

[Blue Dave]

Here is my final version of my layout drawing (I think).

On my previous layout drawing I had a couple of scratch lines that were very close together and it was not perfectly balanced left to right with respect to the centerline.

I have 15 unique scratch lines. This pattern repeats perfectly 9 times on the 129" track. The measurements from the centerline of the track to the center of each stud hole are written on the attached layout drawing. 135 studs all within the rails.

As I said earlier, I am only using the center 7" of the track. The outer edges of the 1 3/8" round backers are 7/16" in from the window inside edge on row 5.

 

[Mills]

Here is another pattern that I sketched for the 129" 45 window track that also spans 5 windows and repeats evenly 9 times.

It utilizes only 90 studs and has 10 unique scratch lines. For me this was not enough studs since I plan on adding a turbo. However for someone with a stock RTX Viper that is looking for just enough studs for trail riding this may be the way to go.
View attachment 103436

I just bought a '14 RTX and have 96 Woody's Gold Diggers. I think I am going to try your 90 stud pattern using two per lug repeating every 9 lugs. I have yet to ride the sled because I bought it in late March of last year and there was no snow to find anywhere so I don't know how loose these sleds feel without studs and decent carbides. I like a loose feeling sled and don't want to go overboard with studs making it to tight coming into and through tight corners. If I do 90 down the center like your pattern shows, what would you suggest I run for carbides 6", 8" or 10" to keep that loose feel but yet be able to brake appropriately coming into a corner "hot"? With my Nytro I ran 96" studs in a V-pattern down the center and went with 4" inside/6" outside carbides and found it to be a little on the tight side yet. However, Nytro's are a tight riding sled to start with.

 

[yamaha4sea_fan24]

Well, just answered my own questions. Was wondering if it was OK to stud in those raised areas. I did 90 studs up the middle on my 129 RTX. Glad I was correct and went for it.

 

[Mills]

I put about 2,000 miles on the 90 stud pattern down the middle. Some of them ended up on the raised portions of the track. All I did was tighten them until the head of the stud was flush to the track.
No problems with the pattern, track wear or traction. I got great braking coming into corners and great grip coming out. I don't think I need any more than the 90 I put in on my 129" RTX.

 

[yamaha4sea_fan24]

I put about 2,000 miles on the 90 stud pattern down the middle. Some of them ended up on the raised portions of the track. All I did was tighten them until the head of the stud was flush to the track.
No problems with the pattern, track wear or traction. I got great braking coming into corners and great grip coming out. I don't think I need any more than the 90 I put in on my 129" RTX.

90 down the middle. Haven't ridden it yet, but should be good for stopping on icy corners.