beeze455
Expert
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2010
- Messages
- 358
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 171
- Location
- Bowdoinham, ME
- Website
- www.gopherdesign.com
Bunch of threads about pilot ski install, but nothing all that detailed. I decided to detail my install and how I did things and why.
Why pilots? Why 6.9s?
Just about everybody on this forum loves the pilots and many loved the 6.9s. I have an XTX and knew i needed a ski to prevent pushing and to float better. On my cats I always ran C&A, but many said it was just too agressive. Many others like other aftermarket ones, but the pilots still got rave reviews. Then you price them out and they right around 200 bucks and any doo dealer can get them in a few days.
Now the skis themselves are a little to narrow for the yamaha. You can either machine down the bushing or just pull one out and have the washer part be on the outside of the ski. I have read that one person did get it to fit with them both on the inside--goodluck with that.
Pry it out with a screw driver.
Push it in on the side. I put the one that would be on outside on the inside of the ski. This way you would not see the washer part when standing beside it.
They will look like this.
So the next problem is the stock yammy rubber does not fit the ski. You can buy a Ski-Doo ZX rubber--MXZ Chassis from pre-2002 and many others. You can cut the front platic lip out. You can mod the stock rubber boot.
I chose not to cut the ski because it required cutting the ski and I do not have a dremel. I did not do the zx rubbers because I did not have them and did not see the point.
So we know we have a plastic ridge in the way about 3 1/4 up on the boot. Measure up and put a slice almost 3/4" deep.
Sliced, but hard to see.
Boot spread so you can see the slice. The ridge will fit right in.
We have another small ridge in the back, so measure about 1 /14 and take the sides off.
Bushings and Boots changed to fit a yammy.
Next problem, ski loops. The stock ones fit, but require some cutting.
too wide
the opening in the pilots is very narrow compared to stock yammy skis.
Cut the black spots and also shave the sides of the other end to make it easier.
Modded loop end
Install the front first, and dont forget your washers and what way your bolts face. After the front is in, muscle the back in. A screw driver to line up the hole and a quick tap of a hammer can save time.
all done
I bought 7.5 shaper bars, but many buy 6" and put the stock carbides on the outside. I may later.
Why pilots? Why 6.9s?
Just about everybody on this forum loves the pilots and many loved the 6.9s. I have an XTX and knew i needed a ski to prevent pushing and to float better. On my cats I always ran C&A, but many said it was just too agressive. Many others like other aftermarket ones, but the pilots still got rave reviews. Then you price them out and they right around 200 bucks and any doo dealer can get them in a few days.
Now the skis themselves are a little to narrow for the yamaha. You can either machine down the bushing or just pull one out and have the washer part be on the outside of the ski. I have read that one person did get it to fit with them both on the inside--goodluck with that.
Pry it out with a screw driver.
Push it in on the side. I put the one that would be on outside on the inside of the ski. This way you would not see the washer part when standing beside it.
They will look like this.
So the next problem is the stock yammy rubber does not fit the ski. You can buy a Ski-Doo ZX rubber--MXZ Chassis from pre-2002 and many others. You can cut the front platic lip out. You can mod the stock rubber boot.
I chose not to cut the ski because it required cutting the ski and I do not have a dremel. I did not do the zx rubbers because I did not have them and did not see the point.
So we know we have a plastic ridge in the way about 3 1/4 up on the boot. Measure up and put a slice almost 3/4" deep.
Sliced, but hard to see.
Boot spread so you can see the slice. The ridge will fit right in.
We have another small ridge in the back, so measure about 1 /14 and take the sides off.
Bushings and Boots changed to fit a yammy.
Next problem, ski loops. The stock ones fit, but require some cutting.
too wide
the opening in the pilots is very narrow compared to stock yammy skis.
Cut the black spots and also shave the sides of the other end to make it easier.
Modded loop end
Install the front first, and dont forget your washers and what way your bolts face. After the front is in, muscle the back in. A screw driver to line up the hole and a quick tap of a hammer can save time.
all done
I bought 7.5 shaper bars, but many buy 6" and put the stock carbides on the outside. I may later.
