From the patent.
"It should also be noted that the center line
670 of the driveshaft has not been lowered relative to a ground plane
676 but rather the remaining portion of the chassis has been raised relative to the ground plane
676. In the embodiment shown, the body panel
650 has been raised by approximately two inches relative to the ground plane
676. As shown, and in a first embodiment, the distance
677 between the body panel
650 and the ground plane
676 is 9.12 inches (231.647 mm). In the embodiment depicted in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 53</figref>, the corresponding distance
678 is 7.261 inches (184.432 mm). Thus, the end result of the design changes mentioned above has raised the ground clearance of the body panel
650 relative to the ground plane, and relative to the top surface of the snow.
Specifically, this has been accomplished by providing a revised bulkhead portion
608A (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 56 and 60</figref>), which is provided with a semi-circular portion
608B profiled to receive the drive mechanism
640. Bulkhead portion
608A defines a drive shaft mount portion for drive mechanism
640. In addition, and as mentioned above, the revised spindle
634 has been elongated which raises the location of the upper and lower control arms relative to the previous snowmobiles.
Also, the tunnel
606 is raised relative to the ground by moving the connection of the front control arm
616 relative to the tunnel
606. Namely, the connection point between the two is shown at
690 in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 55</figref>. As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 59</figref>, the distance from the bottom of the chassis at
650 to the connection point
690 is shown as distance
686. In the first embodiment, the distance
686 is 3.34 inches (84.84 mm) and in the embodiment of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 53</figref>, the analogous distance
674 is 5.34 inches (135.64 mm)."
Link to pic.
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/US8733773B2/US08733773-20140527-D00000.png
Lots of pics and measurements in the Patent.
http://www.google.com/patents/US8733773
So the Driveshaft pretty much is in the same position relative to the ground and skid mounting Points but with higher running boards, and the the bulk is higher and the spindles below the lower a-arm is equally taller.
The Engine is lower in the chassie compared to the old pro becuse of different Engine mounts but probably higher of the ground due to the higher bulk.