Woody's

[Snowman11]

Thinking of putting some picks in my 06 ape .. (completely stock).. I'm guessing 96 isn't enough .. maybe 144 ? ... Slightly aggressive trail riding. . thinking of getting 144 Woody's 1.325 with big backers .. or maybe even double backers .. anyone got a studded ape of that year with any story's ?

 

[Snowman11]

Thinking of putting some picks in my 06 ape .. (completely stock).. I'm guessing 96 isn't enough .. maybe 144 ? ... Slightly aggressive trail riding. . thinking of getting 144 Woody's 1.325 with big backers .. or maybe even double backers .. anyone got a studded ape of that year with any story's ?

Without looking Im unsure , but what ply are the stock camoplast tracks ? Are they even studable ?

 

[Rich Kay]

Thinking of putting some picks in my 06 ape .. (completely stock).. I'm guessing 96 isn't enough .. maybe 144 ? ... Slightly aggressive trail riding. . thinking of getting 144 Woody's 1.325 with big backers .. or maybe even double backers .. anyone got a studded ape of that year with any story's ?

"PICKS" are referred to drag sleds... don't know how well they will hold up on the trail?

 

[Macheater]

I've got 168 gold-diggers in my 06 Apex with stock track. Probably been in there 10yrs or so. I've only had 1 pullout in that time. Traction on ice has always been good. They are the 1.325 length.
Getting ready to put an extension out to 128 with a Ripsaw II on it for better loose snow and off trail traction.

 

[Rich Kay]

I have 144 woodys gold diggers down the center of my apex … 1.325,s in ripsaw track with 15.000 miles not one pull out. Looking like they have out lived the track as the clips are paper thin and looking to replace track.

 

[Snowman11]

"PICKS" are referred to drag sleds... don't know how well they will hold up on the trail?

Just a slang term I guess , but what I meant was actual studs

 

[Snowman11]

Found a decent deal on some "Extreme Max" studs 1.40 in ..144 studs with backers and tall nuts for $182.. just some sticker shock on what 144 gold-diggers 1.325 .. almost $100 more for the same hardware ,.. add another $20 if I wanted to go with studboy "superlite" double backers

 

[RobX-1]

I can't say enough good things about the Stud Boy Super-Lite single and double backers. I run them on both of my Apex's. On the 08, I ended up with 162 studs down the center only and on the 18, I ended up with 154 studs down the center. I like the fact that the backer also aids an additional paddle and with the studding pattern I used, those additional paddle complimented the gaps in the Ripsaw II track when using the stud pattern (see image). I bought my at Nelson's Snow Snow and paid $2.11 per stud/backer. Although that was special pricing, I know they can be expensive but are well worth it. They held up very well on the previous Ripsaw track I ran on my 08 which had over 10,000 miles on the backers.

 

[Snowman11]

I can't say enough good things about the Stud Boy Super-Lite single and double backers. I run them on both of my Apex's. On the 08, I ended up with 162 studs down the center only and on the 18, I ended up with 154 studs down the center. I like the fact that the backer also aids an additional paddle and with the studding pattern I used, those additional paddle complimented the gaps in the Ripsaw II track when using the stud pattern (see image). I bought my at Nelson's Snow Snow and paid $2.11 per stud/backer. Although that was special pricing, I know they can be expensive but are well worth it. They held up very well on the previous Ripsaw track I ran on my 08 which had over 10,000 miles on the backers.

That was a huge question of mine .. how well do those superlite doubles hold up.. seem to have done well for you ! No issuies with loosing stud torque in the "plastic" housing ? That would be my only concern is that the whole thing is plastic , threads and all , but yes I was very interested in going single/doubke , I really like that pattern

 

[RobX-1]

Here is a pic of the original track on my 08 Apex. I bought it used with approx. 3000 miles and studded the track with Stud Boy SuperLites. I too had the same concerns as you as this was my first rodeo using them and had always used either Woodys' Gold Diggers or Megabites with the traditional aluminum-plate-backer-tall-nut-stud combination. When I replaced the track, the sled had 13,000 miles on it so this is a real testament to how well those backers held up after 10,000 miles of use. I never experienced a tear thru like I had previously with the aluminium backers nor did I have any that came loose via the "plastic threads". I have since used these on the Nytro when it was a 121" and again when I added Star Suspension Relocation kit that called for a 128" track and now I also run them on my 18 Apex.

If/when purchasing the Stud Boy SuperLites double backers, be sure to get the ones that have a larger footprint (the bottoms of the backers are larger although the distance between the two stud holes remained the same) as they are meant for the single ply tracks but can be used on the double ply tracks like we use on our Yamahas. Since the 18 Apex used a 2.86 pitch track, this was a no brainer to use them on that track but when Ron (@ Stud Boy) informed me that I could also use them on my 2.52 pitch replacement track for my 08, I opted to go that route as well. There was no cost difference between them and thought the more square footage of the double backer was a good thing since they fit. The picture I posted earlier was the 2.86 pitch track on my 18 Apex. Here is a picture of the 2.52 pitch track on my 08 Apex.

 

[Snowman11]

Here is a pic of the original track on my 08 Apex. I bought it used with approx. 3000 miles and studded the track with Stud Boy SuperLites. I too had the same concerns as you as this was my first rodeo using them and had always used either Woodys' Gold Diggers or Megabites with the traditional aluminum-plate-backer-tall-nut-stud combination. When I replaced the track, the sled had 13,000 miles on it so this is a real testament to how well those backers held up after 10,000 miles of use. I never experienced a tear thru like I had previously with the aluminium backers nor did I have any that came loose via the "plastic threads". I have since used these on the Nytro when it was a 121" and again when I added Star Suspension Relocation kit that called for a 128" track and now I also run them on my 18 Apex.

If/when purchasing the Stud Boy SuperLites double backers, be sure to get the ones that have a larger footprint (the bottoms of the backers are larger although the distance between the two stud holes remained the same) as they are meant for the single ply tracks but can be used on the double ply tracks like we use on our Yamahas. Since the 18 Apex used a 2.86 pitch track, this was a no brainer to use them on that track but when Ron (@ Stud Boy) informed me that I could also use them on my 2.52 pitch replacement track for my 08, I opted to go that route as well. There was no cost difference between them and thought the more square footage of the double backer was a good thing since they fit. The picture I posted earlier was the 2.86 pitch track on my 18 Apex. Here is a picture of the 2.52 pitch track on my 08 Apex.

That is incredible to get that many miles out of a stock Trak let alone a studded track with those super lites... They look like they held up awesome almost perfect..and I would agree to the fact that the larger footprint of those makes it very unlikely for a pull out if almost highly impossible... No breaking no bending... It's a good chunk of money to run that set up with single and double stud boy backers but it looks like the ultimate setup looks quite agressive with those backers acting almost as more paddles for the track

 

[Snowman11]

Here is a pic of the original track on my 08 Apex. I bought it used with approx. 3000 miles and studded the track with Stud Boy SuperLites. I too had the same concerns as you as this was my first rodeo using them and had always used either Woodys' Gold Diggers or Megabites with the traditional aluminum-plate-backer-tall-nut-stud combination. When I replaced the track, the sled had 13,000 miles on it so this is a real testament to how well those backers held up after 10,000 miles of use. I never experienced a tear thru like I had previously with the aluminium backers nor did I have any that came loose via the "plastic threads". I have since used these on the Nytro when it was a 121" and again when I added Star Suspension Relocation kit that called for a 128" track and now I also run them on my 18 Apex.

If/when purchasing the Stud Boy SuperLites double backers, be sure to get the ones that have a larger footprint (the bottoms of the backers are larger although the distance between the two stud holes remained the same) as they are meant for the single ply tracks but can be used on the double ply tracks like we use on our Yamahas. Since the 18 Apex used a 2.86 pitch track, this was a no brainer to use them on that track but when Ron (@ Stud Boy) informed me that I could also use them on my 2.52 pitch replacement track for my 08, I opted to go that route as well. There was no cost difference between them and thought the more square footage of the double backer was a good thing since they fit. The picture I posted earlier was the 2.86 pitch track on my 18 Apex. Here is a picture of the 2.52 pitch track on my 08 Apex.

We're those a PITA to I stall ? A co-worker said he did a sled one time with them and it's very time consuming , because he had to soak the backers in hot water to get them to open up to thread in stud ... Not hard just time consuming

 

[RobX-1]

Not with the last three we have done. Initially, I did the same thing where you soaked the backers in a bucket of hot water to warm them up but then the water would eventually get cold. We then tried doing the same thing but using a crockpot (shh...don't tell the mrs.) and that really helped keeping the water hot and the backers warm but was still a hassle as you mentioned. Then at Nelson's snow show and talking to Ron at Stud Boy, he mentioned how guys were using Armor All as a lubricant when tapping the backer with the stud and although I didn't literally soak them in it, that would have really been a mess, I just used a Q-tip to lube up the hole. However, it was still the same time consuming/hassle as using hot water. What I found that works best and have used the last 3 times is I ended up purchasing a high amp (8.5amp) low RPM (850rpm) 'electric' drill to tap the backer. This setup required no pre-treatment of the backer and they went in like butter using their tool to secure the backer. I would drill the stud right to where it's head was about to become flush with the track and would then use a T-30 torx head socket bit to tighten it where it needed to be. Having a good torx bit is the key as when it begins to wear is when you begin to start cussing. Stud Boy also improved their stud as previous versions had a shallow hole for the torx bit to fit into and could easily slip adding to the installation time. I purchased a Kobalt torx bit from Lowes and even bought a spare for when the one wears out but after studding 5 tracks, it still has not lost its edge.

 

[Snowman11]

Not with the last three we have done. Initially, I did the same thing where you soaked the backers in a bucket of hot water to warm them up but then the water would eventually get cold. We then tried doing the same thing but using a crockpot (shh...don't tell the mrs.) and that really helped keeping the water hot and the backers warm but was still a hassle as you mentioned. Then at Nelson's snow show and talking to Ron at Stud Boy, he mentioned how guys were using Armor All as a lubricant when tapping the backer with the stud and although I didn't literally soak them in it, that would have really been a mess, I just used a Q-tip to lube up the hole. However, it was still the same time consuming/hassle as using hot water. What I found that works best and have used the last 3 times is I ended up purchasing a high amp (8.5amp) low RPM (850rpm) 'electric' drill to tap the backer. This setup required no pre-treatment of the backer and they went in like butter using their tool to secure the backer. I would drill the stud right to where it's head was about to become flush with the track and would then use a T-30 torx head socket bit to tighten it where it needed to be. Having a good torx bit is the key as when it begins to wear is when you begin to start cussing. Stud Boy also improved their stud as previous versions had a shallow hole for the torx bit to fit into and could easily slip adding to the installation time. I purchased a Kobalt torx bit from Lowes and even bought a spare for when the one wears out but after studding 5 tracks, it still has not lost its edge.

That's actually very helpfull ! I had wondered about just spraying the studs with wd-40 before running them in the backers .. kinda like a wet install , like u said ,with a low speed drill till the point where u need to torque it down by hand , they are definitely the way I wanna go when I do my apex this fall , now just trying to swallow the pill of payment..
Short story went to a local "Doo" dealer cause a stud Is a stud , who cares who sells it... I had to sleds I wanted to stud , both 121 inch tracks .. 96 studs for the 600 mxz and 144 for the Apex ... He showed me some products and different backers ect , then said he would "cut me a deal" if I was to pay in cash .. (already knowing what I can pay online for full sets ... Alot less..) so for 96 in the mxz and 144 in the ape.. all with 1.325 gold-diggers with square or round backers .(my choice) just for parts $867 !!!!! And that's with me doing the install !! I mean I knew the prices would be slightly higher at a dealership , but WTF !
I can do 144 on the ape WITH superlite double backers ... And off brand studs ... For around $230... Ebay is the king when it comes to that
Speaking of...... Has anyone ever ran the "extreme Max" studs ?? they seem almost identical to Woody's.

 

[RobX-1]

Unfortunately, the best prices I have found for Stud Boy products is at Nelson's Snow Snow which is always in August; although their prices on some products have seem to gone up here recently in the last few years but that could be related to other things other than Jack selling his business to Lake Side Motors. Last year when studding (down the center only) my Apex 136" track which required 162 studs and my Apex 146" track which required 154 studs for a total of 316 studs (106 double backers and 104 single backers), it cost me $667.76 which equates to $2.11/stud & backer. My riding buddy switched to the SuperLite backers this year when studding his Ski Doo and went up to their show this year and paid a little more per stud/backer and was told price increase was due to steel prices going up. The problem with ordering them online is that if you have an odd amount of studs/backers that doesn't conform to their bagged quantities (e.g. bags of 24 & 48), then you ended up paying more and having extras. At Nelson's show, Stud Boy will sell you the individual quantities you need rather than require you to purchase them in bags.

As for using a different stud other than using Stud Boys Power Point studs, I wasn't sure if that was possible as I thought I recalled being told I had to use them in conjunction with the SuperLite backer but when I just checked their website, it does not state this. It only mentions that they sell the Power Points in packages designated with a 'PS' to indicate they are meant to be used with the SuperLite backer and do not come packaged with the nuts which may actually reduce the cost when comparing to Woody's studs. In all of my SuperLite applications, they were done using the Power Point stud.

As for using the Extreme Max studs, I run them on my RX-1 along with the taller nut since I was studding a 1.25" track and using their 1.325" Max stud. I purchased these at the Novi Snow show years back before I had purchased my new-to-me 08 Apex or even heard about the SuperLites. Although the RX-1 has become my backup sled's backup sled and doesn't get ridden much, the studs have held up very well. You are right in that they are almost identical to Woody's as I had been using either their Gold Diggers or Megabites but couldn't beat the price of the Max stud/backer at the Novi Snow show; especially when the vendor exchanged the normal size nut with the taller version at no additional cost.