I am in the process of installing a Fabcraft tunnel in my 03 rmk. Mike at Fabcraft stated to measure the distance from the center of the drive shaft to the center of the front and rear mounting hole and make sure to put the holes in the new tunnel in the same locations. The front was pretty easy as there was a steel bracket that I removed from the old tunnel and riveted it in. The distance was 9-1/8 c-c. Now for the rear I ordered the the stainless brackets that Mike sells. Measured the old tunnel and it was 37” from c-c. Drilled the 20 holes in the new tunnel and riveted on the rear brackets. C-C of the mounting holes is exactly like the tunnel that I took off 28” The rear bracket on the old tunnel has places for 5 or so holes but it was pretty clear what hole that was used. Now the problem. The stock rails were for a 144 track. I am putting in a 159 track with Ice age rails. All the factory suspension parts bolted on to the new rails as there is only one place for everything to bolt to. As I was walking out of the shop tonight I noticed the c-c distance on the suspension looked way more than 28” in fact after measuring it was more like 33". So after checking there is absolutely no way to compress the suspension to even get close to 28”. I am 100% sure that the tunnel that I took off was 28” c-c. What is going on and what did I do wrong?
2003 Edge Suspension Mounting
- Thread starter zkbrmachine1
- Start date
Distance
I don't have a 159 but I know the 151 uses one of the rear holes in that black stirrup that mounts to the tunnel/running board. I think the bracket would be different on the 159.
I think you need someone to give you the dimension from their sled, a 159 or find one near by to measure.
I just installed a 144 in place of a 121. I put the front two bolts in the suspension with the springs in place. Mounted the rear brackets to the suspension, lowered the tunnel until it engaged the brackets, validated measurement from another 144 (I went from back edge of front torque arm to center of rear bolt hole with a steep yardstick) clamped and riveted it on. The suspension travels freely so I think I'm good to go.
I don't have a 159 but I know the 151 uses one of the rear holes in that black stirrup that mounts to the tunnel/running board. I think the bracket would be different on the 159.
I think you need someone to give you the dimension from their sled, a 159 or find one near by to measure.
I just installed a 144 in place of a 121. I put the front two bolts in the suspension with the springs in place. Mounted the rear brackets to the suspension, lowered the tunnel until it engaged the brackets, validated measurement from another 144 (I went from back edge of front torque arm to center of rear bolt hole with a steep yardstick) clamped and riveted it on. The suspension travels freely so I think I'm good to go.
Mark, Thank you for the reply. That is exactly what I did. My neighbor up the road has a 2004 vertical escape 800 with a factory 159 track that I went and looked at yesterday. His was mounted in the rear hole on the tunnel. Also got a chance to talk to Mike today at Fabcraft, he really didn’t have an answer for me either. Just said it really depends on how it came from the factory and if some dealer some where some how didn’t have some wild idea to change everything up to make it “really good” Anyhow who knows. Got it put together though. Here is a link to some pictures. Enjoy.
http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227184
http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227184
