Yamaha Apex GT Skid Repair/Replacement

[realmccloy]

Hi,

I have a 2008 Yamaha Apex GT that started life as a 121", but before I bought it was lengthened to a 144" with a tracksusa tipped up rail extension. I have owned it for 4000 miles, and have replaced one cracked rail already, and now noticed that I have 2 bent rails that need to be replaced again. I realized after buying it that using this rail extension is not the best idea, and it seems to put more stress on the rails and tunnel than in stock form. I love having the 144 and could not imagine going back to a 121, so what is my best option at this point? I have read everything from swapping the skid out totally, trying to get a set of 144" ice age rails, dropping to a 136" extension and offsetting the skid back, etc. I would like to keep it under $500 if I can as the sled isn't really worth that much anyway, but what is my best/most cost effective way to get back on the snow? Thanks.

 

[MrSled]

Hi,

I have a 2008 Yamaha Apex GT that started life as a 121", but before I bought it was lengthened to a 144" with a tracksusa tipped up rail extension. I have owned it for 4000 miles, and have replaced one cracked rail already, and now noticed that I have 2 bent rails that need to be replaced again. I realized after buying it that using this rail extension is not the best idea, and it seems to put more stress on the rails and tunnel than in stock form. I love having the 144 and could not imagine going back to a 121, so what is my best option at this point? I have read everything from swapping the skid out totally, trying to get a set of 144" ice age rails, dropping to a 136" extension and offsetting the skid back, etc. I would like to keep it under $500 if I can as the sled isn't really worth that much anyway, but what is my best/most cost effective way to get back on the snow? Thanks.

I would get the parts from the 136 Mono and Retro that into your current set up. The rear arm and how that all works is different and would remove all that added leverage to your current skid.

 

[Macheater]

Your biggest challenge might be trying to do this on an under $500 budget. Going shorter is going to require a shorter track which is going to cost most of that budget. Even with a used track.

 

[realmccloy]

I should have added that I just put a new 144" track on it 200 miles ago, so I want to stick with the 144" at this point. I threw that $500 figure out as a baseline, was hoping that I could find a used skid for that price range that could be worked into my tunnel. Thanks.

 

[maim]

you could always look for a deal on a nitro xtx or apex xtx skid and put that into the sled.

 

[Vector LTX GT 08]

I agree with maim, find a good used xtx skid for it. I wanted to find out for my vector ltx gt, but I now bought a 2007 Apex mountain, so I am keeping my vector stock for a trail sled. If you can find a good used xtx skid that would be the best way to go, plus it will look stock to!!

 

[realmccloy]

Thanks for the replies, pretty much leads me to what I figured I needed. Does anyone know off hand how hard it will be to mount the XTX Skid into my GT?

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

Thanks for the replies, pretty much leads me to what I figured I needed. Does anyone know off hand how hard it will be to mount the XTX Skid into my GT?

Reach out to Travis at Barn Of Parts!

 

[Bradford]

I did something similar. My RS Nytro started life as a 121 proaction ck. I stretched it to a 144 with 12" tip up rails and had similar problems. I ended up with a 136 mono 2 and added 4" extensions so that I could reuse my 144 track and tunnel extension. I had to replace the mounts to accept the mono but you wouldn't have to. I sold the 12" extensions for about what I paid for the 4" so that was a wash.

Bradford

 

[maim]

i have an 11 xtx apex and can get you the mounting locations for the suspension. just make sure you get the rear brackets with it if possible as the rear mount is not up inside the tunnel.

 

[Vector LTX GT 08]

Thanks for the replies, pretty much leads me to what I figured I needed. Does anyone know off hand how hard it will be to mount the XTX Skid into my GT?

You are going to need the xtx brackets for it to work. So have to take the old mounting plates off, and mount the xtx brackets to the tunnel. Sounds like maim can help you with how/ where to mount the brackets. I think the xtx skid will look good in it, as it would look like it came right from the Yamaha dealer. I hate the look of how a stock rear suspension is(say 121, or 136, extended to a 144). Just does not look right, or good in my eyes. Keep us posed as you go on!!