1997 600 XC Long Track Conversion Questions

[union76]

I recently purchased a 1997 600 XC. I am looking to put a 133.5" or 136" x 1.5 on the sled. I am planning on going with longer rails. I know that I need to get different drivers due to the taller lug height. From what I have read the stock drivers will only accept a 1.25" track. I figured my options are going to 8 tooth drivers on the stock shaft or replacing the drive shaft and drivers with one from an 1997 RMK. The question that I have are both stock drive shaft and the 1997 RMK drive shaft both the 1" hex and are they interchangeable? Any help or advice including clutching specs would be appreciated.

 

[VTMTcowboy]

They are both 1" hex shafts. In my opinion I would go with the 136" in track, don't waste your time with the 133". I have a 90 Indy 500 that I messed around with and I use 7 tooth drivers and run a 141x1.75 track. I swapped out the stock rear suspension and put in a 136 xtra-lite and set it back to fit the 141" track. I also used some universal drop brackets too. I would love to be able to tell you the specs and dimensions, but when I did it (3 years ago), I just drilled and did all the measurements as they were needed and didn't write anything down. I believe I have the clutching and gearing specs somewhere, but I will have to search pretty hard for them. I might have lucked out in the end because it runs great. Good luck with your project, the wedge chassis is still a blast to ride!

 

[modded93xlt]

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[mcdbrendon]

Was gonna say my 97 700 rmk has 9 tooths and 1.75 track on it its all stock. I am rolling the chaincase on my 91 right now and going to a 151 2 inch paddle. But from what iv read 97 had a longer chaincase that allows more clearance Ill bet you can get it to fit with no problems
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[Flying Dutchman]

I figured my options are going to 8 tooth drivers on the stock shaft or replacing the drive shaft and drivers with one from an 1997 RMK. The question that I have are both stock drive shaft and the 1997 RMK drive shaft both the 1" hex and are they interchangeable? .

The driveshafts are both the same but I beleive the RMK has a different chaincase which lets the driveshaft sit lower in the tunnel. The stock drivers on a 98 RMK are 9T. Stock track was 1.75" but a 2" could be squeezed in.
A lot of things are interchangable between the XC & RMK but double check the main drive location before spending money on an RMK driveshaft.

 

[volcano buster]

There is a possibility that you have rub rails in the top of the tunnel as well. Make sure you unbolt the seat/tank and drill the rivets out to remove these aluminum strips.

You will most likely end up with the rear of the sled sitting higher after you do much on the back. Even if the suspension is the same, the lug height alone will start to affect the steering angle of the spindles. The 97 and newer (pre-edge) spindles would help give a little lift as they are longer below the trailing arm.

I did similar steps to a '94 XLT and had to come back and adjust the front limiter straps to get the rear skid aligned with the skis again as it acted like it was in a partial weight transfer mode and wouldn't steer at slow speeds unless I was leaning way over the front.