Off Trail Mike
Gone Riding!
Well the summer/fall mod season is approaching....after almost 4 months of pretty awesome weather, it's looking rainy for the next week, so I might get a few nights to turn wrenches.
For you guys running the 153/162 Arctic Cat skid in the Nytro, I found another front shock option that you might find interesting. The stock front skid shock is 11.25" c to c (8.13 collapsed) but AC offer's a 11.75" c to c (8.14 collapsed). AC Part Number is 1704-899. XF skid (141") guys, this mod doesn't apply.
I have the shock and it has less compression and rebound dampening than the stock shock, which I find a bit stiff for my liking anyway.
There are 3 reasons I want to try this option:
1. It will drop the front of the skid a bit more which should have the effect of taking some weight off the ski's,
2. It adds maybe 3/8" more front suspension travel, and
3. Most importantly, it changes the usable spring rate on the front of the skid which should help ride quality.
Yes, this will steepen the angle of attack a bit (less than a degree), but my track doesn't touch the first part of the rails anyway, so I don't think it's going to make much difference.
My thinking on this is mod has more to do with trail manners than powder riding, but there will be 3/8" more bit, so it might have a small powder effect too.
Anyway, thought I'd put it out there and hopefully I'll get some pictures later this week.
OTM
For you guys running the 153/162 Arctic Cat skid in the Nytro, I found another front shock option that you might find interesting. The stock front skid shock is 11.25" c to c (8.13 collapsed) but AC offer's a 11.75" c to c (8.14 collapsed). AC Part Number is 1704-899. XF skid (141") guys, this mod doesn't apply.
I have the shock and it has less compression and rebound dampening than the stock shock, which I find a bit stiff for my liking anyway.
There are 3 reasons I want to try this option:
1. It will drop the front of the skid a bit more which should have the effect of taking some weight off the ski's,
2. It adds maybe 3/8" more front suspension travel, and
3. Most importantly, it changes the usable spring rate on the front of the skid which should help ride quality.
Yes, this will steepen the angle of attack a bit (less than a degree), but my track doesn't touch the first part of the rails anyway, so I don't think it's going to make much difference.
My thinking on this is mod has more to do with trail manners than powder riding, but there will be 3/8" more bit, so it might have a small powder effect too.
Anyway, thought I'd put it out there and hopefully I'll get some pictures later this week.
OTM
Off Trail Mike
Gone Riding!
Here's a couple of pic's of the shock differences. There is maybe a 1/16" difference in body length, so no factor there. The new shock will have quite a bit less compression/rebound is much closer to the ZBros XO shock. The stocker is just too stiff IMO.
Hey Nikolai, sound familiar.....strike two for the Wheeled BDX aka "Badly Designed Xross" lower shock shaft.....absolutely bent.... 600km's. So glad I was in the skid mucking around.
Here is a pic of both shocks:
Here's the body length difference pic:
OTM
Hey Nikolai, sound familiar.....strike two for the Wheeled BDX aka "Badly Designed Xross" lower shock shaft.....absolutely bent.... 600km's. So glad I was in the skid mucking around.
Here is a pic of both shocks:
Here's the body length difference pic:
OTM
Thanks otm.I think I may try that.I'm going to get rid of my rear float shock too.
Off Trail Mike
Gone Riding!
Pro116.
X2...switched the float2 out for a ZBros X1 today as well. I found the float trail ride too harsh on rough trails ... and no adjustment options, something the X1 has in spades. In powder, it doesn't matter, but getting there was another story. I was running 130psi in the float (down from 145psi where I started) and IMO, was still too harsh. Its just that it takes too much air pressure to keep the rear end from squatting with the rider sitting on the sled. With so much initial air pressure, the effective spring rate is just too high. Combine this with very firm compression and rebound on both shocks and the result is a rough ride.
I don't want to bash the setup too much, it's as good as the stock MTX, but on rough trails, the setup was off and definitely could be improved.
I hope the new rear X1 and the Fox Zero up front will do the trick, if not I will try a few spring combos and finally a ZBros X0 up front too. And if it all fails, there is always Timbersled!
Its a learning experience!
OTM
X2...switched the float2 out for a ZBros X1 today as well. I found the float trail ride too harsh on rough trails ... and no adjustment options, something the X1 has in spades. In powder, it doesn't matter, but getting there was another story. I was running 130psi in the float (down from 145psi where I started) and IMO, was still too harsh. Its just that it takes too much air pressure to keep the rear end from squatting with the rider sitting on the sled. With so much initial air pressure, the effective spring rate is just too high. Combine this with very firm compression and rebound on both shocks and the result is a rough ride.
I don't want to bash the setup too much, it's as good as the stock MTX, but on rough trails, the setup was off and definitely could be improved.
I hope the new rear X1 and the Fox Zero up front will do the trick, if not I will try a few spring combos and finally a ZBros X0 up front too. And if it all fails, there is always Timbersled!
Its a learning experience!
OTM
MY 153 skid is not set back at all but am looking for some more weight transfer.Even with boost I had a hard time transfering when I want to.I know even cat guys where putting stiffer center shock springs in to get some more transfer.
pro116 said:
Want to try a stiffer center spring? I've got one collecting dust, I don't know the exact specs but I do know it is stiffer. If you want I'll send it your way and more than likely forget about it so you can keep it
I've got too many skids to keep track of all them 
Ricky that would be great if I could try it.
natedawgedog
TY 4 Stroke Guru
what do you guys think?
im pulling the trigger on buying this one today, its off a 2012 crossfire 800 141" for my xtx. I paid $500 for it shipped to me, which I think is a great deal. from the pictures what do you guys think? what do I need to do to make this skid perform well for me and my snowmachine? Im 210lbs ready to ride in my gear, any help will be greatly appreciated thanks
im pulling the trigger on buying this one today, its off a 2012 crossfire 800 141" for my xtx. I paid $500 for it shipped to me, which I think is a great deal. from the pictures what do you guys think? what do I need to do to make this skid perform well for me and my snowmachine? Im 210lbs ready to ride in my gear, any help will be greatly appreciated thanks
Attachments
Nikolai
TY 4 Stroke God
You already have the coilover so I would try it the way it is. I would however remove the two center wheels between the front and rear arms. Upon hitting a large object, I've seen the wheels bend up and twist the rails since they're on individual mounting blocks and not a cross shaft. I'd also recommend adding an anti-stab kit.
Another one bites the dust. Someone needs to machine them from 2024 or 7075. Knowing BDX they probably use pot metal.
natedawgedog
TY 4 Stroke Guru
thanks for the reply nikolai.Nikolai said:
I have a set of anti-stabs from my xtx suspension from cutting them back to put 9 tooth anti-ratchet drivers, and was planning on using those. I read in a few posts back about the little wheels on the shock shaft, that ice scratchers and the oft two wheel rear axle is all im going to run. should I run more wheels any were else? and is the three wheel axle more durable or is it just for looks?
being 210lbs in riding gear and riding mountians, would the stock coil spring be good enough? or should I run a heavier spring in the front or rear shock right from the getgo?
Off Trail Mike
Gone Riding!
natedawgedog
Avoid the wheeled lower shock shaft. Nikolai and I both bent them. Mine had 600km's and didn't hit anything....too flimsy.
The OFT rear axle is bulletproof so no issues there. I run rubber wheels in back because of track vibration with a 3" pitch track and only 2 wheels on the rear axle, but depending on your track, the tighter lug spacings don't have the issue.
Scratchers are a must....absolutely.
If you are running a 141 skid, you have to set it back over the stock location, so running 9 tooth antiratchet, you still need to cut rails?? Just curious.
OTM
Avoid the wheeled lower shock shaft. Nikolai and I both bent them. Mine had 600km's and didn't hit anything....too flimsy.
The OFT rear axle is bulletproof so no issues there. I run rubber wheels in back because of track vibration with a 3" pitch track and only 2 wheels on the rear axle, but depending on your track, the tighter lug spacings don't have the issue.
Scratchers are a must....absolutely.
If you are running a 141 skid, you have to set it back over the stock location, so running 9 tooth antiratchet, you still need to cut rails?? Just curious.
OTM
Better yet than avoiding the wheeled shock shaft, avoid anything that says BDX on it. Anything they make is made with the cheapest construction possible and it doesn't reflect in the cost.
The 9 tooth 2.52" drivers will eat up a little more track than us using 3" tracks. Also with the short cat rails I'm sure you won't have to cut your tips even if your setback is less.
I ran 2 seasons on cat skids with no wheels, no scratchers. Our low snow year I did have to change hyfax once but typically I have no issues making it a 1500 mile season on hyfax.
Good luck with the skid, you'll like it.
The 9 tooth 2.52" drivers will eat up a little more track than us using 3" tracks. Also with the short cat rails I'm sure you won't have to cut your tips even if your setback is less.
I ran 2 seasons on cat skids with no wheels, no scratchers. Our low snow year I did have to change hyfax once but typically I have no issues making it a 1500 mile season on hyfax.
Good luck with the skid, you'll like it.
natedawgedog
TY 4 Stroke Guru
I had to cut my rails on the xtx skid because the tips of the rails were binding with the drivers, after reading about setbacks of the float skid I dont think I will have problems with clearances on this new skid.Off Trail Mike said:
interesting about your hyfax, until I put hyperfax slides on my xtx skid I had to change out hyfax on it about every 500 miles, I only got 450 miles on one set on early season riding and even damaged my rails a little bit, it was that bad. do you guys think the float skid will be easier on slides than the xtx skid?rlcofmn said:
Nope, you'll have to do some wheels then. For comparison I ran the rtx skid with few wheels and had no hyfax wear. We are blessed on the other side of the inlet to have short trails to the goods.
LSXM3
Expert
So what is the general consensus on mounting locations for the 141" skid? I just got my new tunnel from Fabcraft last week and I pick up my float skid on Saturday. I will be doing this all to an original short track sled but now a 144" at this point i think i will be sticking with the stock driver size as i dont feel like i will ever need more than a 1.75" track.
Any info would be awesome!
Any info would be awesome!
