Tight 144 Track??

[Ruggybuggy]

So I just converted my FX to a 144 using a MTX skid and the OEM 2" paddle track. I'm using my 9 tooth drives and just put it in tonight. Man is this thing tight. I have the adjusters loosened off completely and it's still tighter then I normally adjust. The track only has 700 miles on it. Will this thing loosen up after some miles? I remember reading something about tight tracks and 9 tooth drives but I thought this was an issue on some on the none OEM tracks. If it will loosen up how long did it take?

 

[blueironranger]

Sounds about right, with 8 tooth drivers the stock Maverick track was about 1/2 way through the adjustment, subtract 1.25" and it would be just like your experiencing. My freeride hasn't stretched at all in 4500 miles, not sure about the maverick as I only ran it a few weeks. You can either remove more material to allow more axle movement, or drill another set of holes 3/4" forward to move the skid up if you think it's too tight.

 

[Ruggybuggy]

If I removed some material from the skid at the axle what do you do for the adjuster to make them usable

What did you end up doing? Are you still running it tight?

 

[Ruggybuggy]

Before

After

Used my FX shocks.

 

[MikeWalters]

Looks great! Hows the ride quality compared to the shorty? You gear down at all?

 

[nswsparky]

mine was a bit tight with a brand new stock track. The track did stretch a bunch in the first year I also have my adjusters as loose as I can get them like I have the locknuts on backwards and have 2 treads engaged. I also had to grind a bit of the rectangular part that the rear wheels slide in. As we talked about before I have the 9 tooth also I have put 1500 miles on the new track and when I pick it up it sags like 3 inches.

 

[Ruggybuggy]

Looks great! Hows the ride quality compared to the shorty? You gear down at all?

Just finished it up tonight and will me riding it to work tomorrow. Ill let you know.

 

[Ruggybuggy]

mine was a bit tight with a brand new stock track. The track did stretch a bunch in the first year I also have my adjusters as loose as I can get them like I have the locknuts on backwards and have 2 treads engaged. I also had to grind a bit of the rectangular part that the rear wheels slide in. As we talked about before I have the 9 tooth also I have put 1500 miles on the new track and when I pick it up it sags like 3 inches.

Good to know I can expect a stretch. Ill try spinnig my lock nuts around. What part did you grind? The adjuster itself? I though I was going to have to grind the skeg to allow the axle to come forward.

 

[nswsparky]

I am pretty sure it was the aluminum and I think I actually used a square file. It is aluminum so it does not take too long

 

[Grimm]

Maybe you could reduce track tension by going to a lower torsion spring setup until the track stretches?

 

[Ruggybuggy]

I am pretty sure it was the aluminum and I think I actually used a square file. It is aluminum so it does not take too long

I'll just leave it and wait until the track stretches. I installed the nuts backwards and locktited them so I won't loose them.

 

[Ruggybuggy]

Rode it to work which was about 8 kms trail and a long lake run. Notice a little better ride and top speed remain the same. Seemed to take the stutter bumps better. I did notice that the acceleration seemed to be a little slower and I stress "seemed". Worked way better in the deep snow when I tried it in the field last night and can drive over any snowbank.

 

[Gone Blue]

With my RTX stretch, I put on a new take off 1.25 x 13.5 x 144" Arctic Cat Firecat Predator track on my Phazer using rail extensions. Running 6 oversized Excell wheels and added low snow wheels, my track was supper tight as well. I had maybe 3/8" free sag with the adjuster nuts just barley on. The adjuster nuts did not make contact with the nylon locking insert with this set up. So I applied blue locktite and ran it. Some 2,500 miles later, the tracked stretched a little but not as much as I thought. Luckily, the hyfax wear has given me 2,500 plus miles so I am real happy with that.

You should have swapped out the upper skid wheels before you installed the skid. Those are 07' wheels and are prone to icing up thru the big windows in them. My friends 07' he just bought last summer with 1,000 miles on it had huge flat spots in both wheels. Ice freezes in the wheels windows and stops them from turning so the track wears flat spots in them. Not a huge deal but something to watch out for.

Sled looks great by the way

G.B.

 

[Ruggybuggy]

I'm also running 4 excell wheel and two stock ones in the middle. My dealer suggested I put on DuPont sliders so that should take care of any wear. When I lift the back of the sled up I have very little droop. If it doesn't loosen up I think I'll grind the skid a little to allow the axle to come forward the weld longer adjustment studs on.

I have a new set of top wheels on my other skid but was in such a rush to get the skid in I forgot/ignored them. I wait until they screw up and switch them out.

 

[maxdlx]

Are you guys using tracks usa extensions. They told me they are made for 8 tooth drivers, and that even on my apex with 9s it would be crazy tight. Maxdlx