Starting my Z1 skid install

[polarisconvert]

Looks awesome. Lets see the rest of it, nice looking RX1.

Is that a 136" or 144"?

 

[Fullback]

Looks awesome. Lets see the rest of it, nice looking RX1.

Is that a 136" or 144"?

I'll try to get some new pics up the next day or 2.
I changed the graphics a little over the summer.
I've had that 136" skid in there since 2005.
Zero issues... it's all good.

 

[polarisconvert]

I would have not thought of a mountain skid would have made a good trail suspension other than it being longer and bridging the bumps.
Glad it is working for you. What year suspension is that?

 

[Fullback]

I would have not thought of a mountain skid would have made a good trail suspension other than it being longer and bridging the bumps.
Glad it is working for you. What year suspension is that?

It's a 2000. I bought it on Snowest for $400 and shipped to my house for another $75. Hyfax wear has been perfect. I installed the billet overload spring on the rear arm. I think it was around 15% more torsion. I'm 185 and always ride with the spring set at the lowest setting. If the bumps get too large and I would like a little more resistance I go to the second setting. I've never used the highest setting.
I ride with my limiter straps with plenty of slack.

 

[polarisconvert]

I have not been able to work on the suspension for about 5 weeks until last weekend. I finished the rear brackets and did a test fit. Track goes back in next weekend. Starting to get excited.

 

[Redbeard]

I have not been able to work on the suspension for about 5 weeks until last weekend. I finished the rear brackets and did a test fit. Track goes back in next weekend. Starting to get excited.

Looks awesome! Keep the pics coming!

 

[stomper]

Yeah looks good. I love pics and info on suspension swaps

 

[polarisconvert]

Starting to look like a sled again.
Tomorrow I need to add the radiator then put the chain case back together and spin the track in the air and see if she rips anything out.

 

[superfan75]

Looks real NICE !!

 

[polarisconvert]

Thanks guys

So I did run into a little problem that I thought I would share so nobody else will run into it. My front suspension arm has half round cams on the top of the arm. They are guides and on a stock Z1 Turbo the track lays on top the cam with a little pressure on the cams. On mine the cams are pushing up on the track a little with slightly more pressure than stock. I could not figure out how this happened when I used the factory skid locations to mount mine. On my way home from work tonight and talking to a friend about the problem I remembered something that I had not thought through.
In 2010 Cat changed the location of the rear skid. They raised the skid higher in the tunnel. To do this they had to change the rear upper wheels and they are now smaller in diameter to make room for the higher track. Cat also came out with a conversion for the 2009 sled.
I used a 2009 Z1 Turbo for my measurements, one that did not have the conversion yet. My skid is either a 2010 or newer, or has had the conversion kit put in it and it has the smaller wheels in it. I didn't think about the fact that it should have been mounted higher in the tunnel.
Now my track is too low in the rear and does have enough height to go over the cams. I am not sure what I am going to do. I did want the conversion, because one of the advantages is that it hooks better and you can't ever have too much traction. The first thing I am going to do is sit on the sled and have my son check under it to see if it clears with weight on it. If it does not clear I have to decide what I am going to do. I will get back with you on what I decide to do.

 

[polarisconvert]

I had a friend get on my sled so I could see how the suspension moved, hoping that the track would move away from the cams. I found the opposite.The only two options that I have is either drop the front arm mounts which I dont want to do or install the bigger rear idler wheels. Either way the track will clear the cams. I decided to put the bigger idler wheels on. I found a set and they should be here by next weekend. I did take the sled out and run it down the yard. I got on it out of the hole. The sled had no lift at all. I am sure I can adjust that a little, but what a change. This sled would flip over backwards I n the grass before. I started installing the tunnel extension. I think the one thing that I am most excited about is that I will be able to use my reverse. With the mono, It sat so low to the ground that the studs would always catch the flap and stop the sled.

 

[polarisconvert]

Thought I would add a couple pics of the Muffin Works tunnel extension install. If I wanted a 128 extension they would make one up special order for more money. I decided to get the 136 extension. I drilled out the rivets on the rear brackets of the tunnel so the extension would slide under it then drilled new holes and put new stainless rivets back in it. Then it drilled two holes from the bottom of the tunnel and put some stainless bolts in it. The rear plastic trim has to be trimmed to fit.

 

[superfan75]

Damn that is looking good !!

 

[polarisconvert]

Thanks Superfan, I sanded and polished the rear bumper and installed it today. I got the cooling fan wired also. I also had to replace the secondary buttons. Two were broke and missing.

 

[polarisconvert]

I just finished my sled today. We have a little snow so I took it for a little ride. It rides amazing. I can't wait to get it on the trails.
I also put on the new tunnel extension, front suspension bushings , Fox Float 2s, front Apex radiator and fan, and GPS.
Here are a couple pics.