144/151 tunnel and the 159/166 tunnel

[Danbot]

I may have a line on a cheap 159 900 with a blown up engine. The main reason I would want the sled is to up-size to the 159 track (and possibly the 166 next year). Also the spares would be great too!

So what am I getting into with the track up-size?
Looks like I would have to swap:
-rails
-track
-tunnel extension and bumper

Will the drop brackets need to be relocated? Anything else I am missing? Just trying to figure out if its worth the $$$. The extension would be great because I do plan on throwing a 166 underneath it at some point before next season.

 

[94fordguy]

I may have a line on a cheap 159 900 with a blown up engine. The main reason I would want the sled is to up-size to the 159 track (and possibly the 166 next year). Also the spares would be great too!

So what am I getting into with the track up-size?
Looks like I would have to swap:
-rails
-track
-tunnel extension and bumper

Will the drop brackets need to be relocated? Anything else I am missing? Just trying to figure out if its worth the $$$. The extension would be great because I do plan on throwing a 166 underneath it at some point before next season.

I think you will be good, just have to get the measurement for the 159/166 drop bracket location and bolt it all on.

 

[Z-Man]

unbolt the engine, replace the motormounts and then reinstall it in the other sled. Cheeper and easier.

 

[Danbot]

unbolt the engine, replace the motormounts and then reinstall it in the other sled. Cheeper and easier.

Too late, I have formed a bond with my chassis

 

[Z-Man]

Too late, I have formed a bond with my chassis

BiggDawg and I both extended our tunnels with the VE extension bumper. You will have to cut and modify it to fit the 900. They have two styles of them, the one BiggDawg and I have and another with different sides to it. I think the other style might be a little easier to install.

Robbie at AVID had two of the other style for sale cheep.

 

[Danbot]

Hmmm, I have been looking at pics of both tunnel lengths, and it looks to me like the 144/151 tunnel is different than the 159/166.
-The cooler rails are longer to reach the cooler which is further back on the long tunnel.
-Cant find hi-res pics but it looks like the place where the factory tunnel extension attaches is at a different location between the long, and short tunnel
-drop brackets on the other hand seem to line right up... the RTA looks to be in the same position.... just more rail behind it.
Seems like a chassis swap is the way to go... such a pain in the butt with the legal end of things... new registration and insurance, plus the labour.

Here's a quick comparison I just made, orange lines to line stuff up, and red lines show differences.

 

[guidoxpress]

you are right...
the 06 900 i have was a 151 track originally, the tunnel was alot shorter then the wifes 159 and my 166...

the coolant tubes are shorter like you stated, everything else will swap fine...

why dont you just swap the tunnel, peel the OEM deal off and use a plate with the VIN# on it, that way they will never know your changed the tunnel and dont have to mess with VIN#/INS issues?

 

[Z-Man]

yup the 144/151 are one tunnel and the 159/166 are a longer tunnel. I just swapped in a longer track on mine and had to add a VE extension.

 

[Danbot]

you are right...
the 06 900 i have was a 151 track originally, the tunnel was alot shorter then the wifes 159 and my 166...

the coolant tubes are shorter like you stated, everything else will swap fine...

why dont you just swap the tunnel, peel the OEM deal off and use a plate with the VIN# on it, that way they will never know your changed the tunnel and dont have to mess with VIN#/INS issues?

That would be an option I guess.
A friend of mine wrote off an XP with no insurance last year, and when we had finished building it this year with a new chassis/tunnel that is all BRP did was cut his VIN off the old tunnel, and rivet it on to the new one!

Sean, so other than the longer coolant rails.... the place where the factory extension rivets on is the same? I would have no issue in custom fitting the rear cooler if that was the only miss-match.

 

[Danbot]

yup the 144/151 are one tunnel and the 159/166 are a longer tunnel. I just swapped in a longer track on mine and had to add a VE extension.

I hear ya, I'm just trying to do this as cheaply as possible with used oem stuff

 

[Z-Man]

Why are you worrying about the back? are you trying to take the extension off the 166 and mount it on your 151 tunnel?

 

[Danbot]

Why are you worrying about the back? are you trying to take the extension off the 166 and mount it on your 151 tunnel?

Thats the loose plan yup

 

[Z-Man]

Thats the loose plan yup

Huge PIA. You can use some longer hoses to connect the 166 cooler but won't look good. Removing the running board coolers is hard as hell to do. Or just remove the cooler from the 166 extension and move it forward to match the 151 front and cut a piece of aluminum to go behind it. Removing the cooler is a PIA too.

 

[Z-Man]

I would call Robbie from AVID and buy one of the extensions he has for $150 I think and save yourself a huge amount of work and problems.

 

[Danbot]

Huge PIA. You can use some longer hoses to connect the 166 cooler but won't look good. Removing the running board coolers is hard as hell to do. Or just remove the cooler from the 166 extension and move it forward to match the 151 front and cut a piece of aluminum to go behind it. Removing the cooler is a PIA too.

Sounds good to me! Plastic probably wont line up this way though.

 

[Danbot]

I would call Robbie from AVID and buy one of the extensions he has for $150 I think and save yourself a huge amount of work and problems.

Yup, sounding like the better idea now lol.

 

[94fordguy]

Hmmm, I have been looking at pics of both tunnel lengths, and it looks to me like the 144/151 tunnel is different than the 159/166.
-The cooler rails are longer to reach the cooler which is further back on the long tunnel.
-Cant find hi-res pics but it looks like the place where the factory tunnel extension attaches is at a different location between the long, and short tunnel
-drop brackets on the other hand seem to line right up... the RTA looks to be in the same position.... just more rail behind it.
Seems like a chassis swap is the way to go... such a pain in the butt with the legal end of things... new registration and insurance, plus the labour.

Here's a quick comparison I just made, orange lines to line stuff up, and red lines show differences.

Very interesting... hadn't noticed that before.

I know it IS a long way back till you hit those kick-ups on the boards, lol... had to get used to the added length when changing from my 800.

 

[Z-Man]

yup, all the pieces are different on the back of the 159/166 tunnel.

 

[Danbot]

Well, one way or the other, I am going to look at this sled on friday.
All I know is it is a 900rmk with 159" track, supposedly very clean, and tight other than a "blown engine". I don't even know what year it is.

I now have interest in the primary clutch since mine came apart... and for the price, I will probably pick it up unless it is totally sacked out.... Keep the stuff I want, and part out the rest. I'll get some pics when I go look.

 

[Danbot]

oh man did I laugh....
I went for a rip in the super duty, and when I was pulling out of the neighborhood I saw a pickup go by with a 159" rmk900... I live in a small town and I've never seen one local before, so it's probably the sled I was going to look at... JUST SOLD. damn