Bought a 05 900 rmk 159

[cwrolson]

Bought an 05 900
Ok, here's the deal. I've read posts till my eyes bled and just feel like I'm going in circles. I need some advice on what to do.

I bought this sled in the fall of 09 and rode it all that winter without any issues other than cooling on packed trails. It has had the radiator removed and has a slp pipe, can and airbox, and has a 2" bar riser(which might be stock). Other than that, the sled is completely stock. The sled has had all the Polaris updates performed.

My modification interests are going to be geared toward, handling improvement, weight reduction. This sled is a real handful in about any conditions.

I'm currently using quite a bit of gorilla tape to hold plastic together so I'm lookin to get some plastic as well.

I would like to install different running boards because the snow really piles up on the boards but really plugs up the foot holes by the console. What can I do about that.

I'm looking to get started on this project but just don't know which direction to go. I'm going to have the clutches balanced and set up at Carl's I think.

I'm also torn between doing a bunch of work to this sled and just buyin a later model dragon. I'm pretty handy with a wrench and with fabrication and have have a good bit of money to play with on this so I'd kinda like to build instead of buy.

I do most of my riding at Bear Lodge in the Horns

Any help with a list of "to do's" would be greatly appreciated.

 

[garlic bear]

boards

Ihad the same issue with my boards just used a unibit and drilled out 1 inch holes in my boards works great and minimal cost (bit) be sure to drill from the bottom on the dimples also mark the same dimples on each side so you have the same pattern

 

[Z-Man]

better boards or Wrp boards will fix the snow problem. you can get the Wrp ones for $179 on eBay. Slp also sells a set for less but they are not powder coated.

 

[NDRMK]

After board repair:
1. skis must go- polaris grippers seem good on most sleds.
2. I would change front shocks- originals way too sloppy-fox float II or evols- I have floats and work great for me, but would be better with extra dampening of evol if they fit?
good luck!

 

[cwrolson]

So, after market skis and shocks. What about spindles? Plus, I bought one 06 a-arm when I bent one of mine. Should I put all 06 a-arms on it?

 

[cwrolson]

better boards or Wrp boards will fix the snow problem. you can get the Wrp ones for $179 on eBay. Slp also sells a set for less but they are not powder coated.

I see a ton of mods on your build! What is the purpose of a 2 wheel kit? What about a new front bumper? If I grab ahold of mine I could rip it right off. What about a big wheel kit? I want to put some money in this sled, I just want to put the money in the right places!

 

[heynagel]

With my 05 I found the it had plenty of power but as NDRMK said the handling sucked. I threw on some powder pros, Walker evan shocks in front and back, and aftermarket spindles. The sled handles so much better now, I would highly suggest these mods. Now over the summer I plan to install the compufusion motor mounts, torque arms and updated 06 pistons and any other engine/clutch related update I can come across.
I took care of the running board snow issue by installing Sno Eliminators. They are cheaper than others and I found they worked great up in the bighorns!

 

[cowboymann02]

get the better boards, works great at getting rid of snow build up. also look at putting a timbersled rear suspension under it, makes a world of difference in handling and ride.


Myself i would upgrade to a newer style dragon just cause of the weight. plus if you ever add a turbo setup on it. it will be light and nimble, it makes riding more enjoyable and not such a work out like when riding a 900 sled.

the 900's are good sleds but the lighter 600 & 800 sleds make those heave things seem outdated in my opinion. beside you can find lots of used newer dragon for sale now that the new pro's came out. if you can afford a new pro get one or just turbo and newer IQ sled.

 

[Z-Man]

I see a ton of mods on your build! What is the purpose of a 2 wheel kit? What about a new front bumper? If I grab ahold of mine I could rip it right off. What about a big wheel kit? I want to put some money in this sled, I just want to put the money in the right places!

2 wheel kit is supposed to make it easier to side hill. It was cheep so I did it. It can be done using factory parts from the newer sleds.

Big wheel kits makes track spin with less resistance.

Avid anti ratchet drivers and an anti-stab kits are must haves on the 900.

Factory bumper is junk and if you try to lift the sled with it you will break it.

What plastics are bad on your sled? You can get the complete 09 style front with an updated bumper for just over 400. I am putting this on my second sled with a skinz bumper.

 

[cwrolson]

thanks

Hey, thanks a lot everyone! I appreciate all the input. I really want to buy a newer Dragon, but I wanna tinker with this one too. Maybe I'll just do both and leave my dog box bolted to the tunnel on the 900 for lion hunting. I don't know, but thanks a bunch

 

[Z-Man]

Better Boards are a must.

Replace intake boots and cover new ones with heat tape.

Replace exhaust valve bellows.

clutch helix and lower gears for mountain riding.

Primary balanced and gone through by indydan. He will do the best job out there on this and you will get a completely blueprinted clutch back.

FBF throttle cable, the factory oil cables stick and put to much oil into the engine.

Install 06 Polaris pistons if they have not already been installed, the factory 05 pistons drop the skirts if they fail and ruin your cases.

More venting is a must especially if you ride in deep powder.

Improved front bumper that is actually functional. I went with Skinz.

If you have the money Timbersled rear suspension will completely change the sleds handling and ride and it is 16 lbs lighter.

Stock front shocks are garbage unless you have the snowcheck 166 that are adjustable. Fox zero pros, float 2's, Evols or Z-bros.

Gripper skis or powder pros, grippers will turn easier on the trail.

06 and 05 A-arms are different. the bottom arm is longer on the 05 and the top arm has a different shape too.

Updated spindles are a must, I went with Timbersled front ends because they have way stronger chromoly A-arms and better spindles and weigh substantially less. All Timbersled stuff is on sale right now too.

Fire N Ice intake or take the insides out of the stock intake.

If you are in the engine and have the money install the newest flywheel and tape over the hole that is in the top of the pull start to keep water out. easier and cheaper to do this before the flywheel fails and takes out your Stator.

New style pro flaps are $15 and weigh a couple pounds less.

 

[05900]

Once your eyes stop bleeding there are lots of mods you can do,some cheaper than others.
Stock shocks rebuilt and valved for your style/weight
Spindle upgrade 08+ stock or aftermarket set
Carls front track shock spring/swaybar
Remove Idler wheels and get scratchers
Big wheel kit/2wheel set up
CLUTCHING and GEARING with HELIX upgrade
May want to plug VES and respring
Bumper/Plastic from later 09.
Etc ETc..........You get it I'm sure,loosing weight is easy and takes a little time (summer) Happy Project and when it's done....Hot Dam!!!!!!!!!

 

[mastertech]

sell it and buy a ski-doo..

 

[Z-Man]

sell it and buy a ski-doo..

Then you will really not be able to lean it over in the powder.

 

[05900]

sell it and buy a ski-doo..

Rather than "planting" them pinecones they would kill ya and ruin your sled!

 

[mastertech]

bahhahahaha... You silly polaris boys!

 

[cwrolson]

Thanks a lot for all the info guys. I just got a line on a 08 or 09 Assault for 7-$7500. What is the difference between an assault/dragon? And, how much of the afformentioned stuff will I still need to address on this sled, it's bone stock except for a pipe and a can.

 

[94fordguy]

Personally I would RUN AWAY from an 08-10 800 CFI-4 motor... Just take a look around the IQ forum section and look at how many blown motors there are in sleds that are newer than ours... Not Good!

The 900 is a solid machine once you do the preventative maintenance on it and set it up to your style of riding, a little heavier, but the same basic geometry as the RAWs.

To address your immediate questions, you can install the '09 front end kit and bumper if you want that newer look... some say they go through the snow a little better, I can't say. I do recommend the Skinz bumper either way, it will give you more to lift from when stuck and is wider to help protect that plastic. The downside is whichever system you use you will have to replace your intake, the SLP is not compatible with any metal bumpers nor the narrow front end kit.

For spindles I would say 08-10 RAW spindles... I have the 08s on my 05 and they offer nice geometry and a light feel. Polaris Gripper Skis also work GREAT on these sleds.

Most folks here go 18/40 on gearing for the 05s... I am at 18/39 (19/39 is stock) and I am very happy.

Gut the stock airbox or go Fire N Ice if you have the cash, either way works nicely and drops weight. You've currently got the SLP so this really doesn't apply.

Board inserts - take your pick if you do not like the stock setup.

General setup; I removed the swaybar and prefer to run the front springs on the soft side, the sled dives to the outside a bit on the trails, but it is so much easier to lay over when you get to the good stuff... Limiters in the bottom hole helps the nose feel much lighter in the turns and reduces steering effort further.

Any number of the suggestions listed above will help if you have the money to spend, though with just a few you can have a lighter sled that wont kill you at the end of the day.

Good to hear you have been doing your homework on this thing, there are lots of great things you can do to customize it and lots of knowledgeable guys to help with any specific problems you may have.

 

[Z-Man]

Thanks a lot for all the info guys. I just got a line on a 08 or 09 Assault for 7-$7500. What is the difference between an assault/dragon? And, how much of the afformentioned stuff will I still need to address on this sled, it's bone stock except for a pipe and a can.

Front A-Arms are wider on the Assault. Assault uses longer shocks and doesn't have a swaybar. Assault is uses a different track with stiff paddles and it is usually shorter 146.
http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/Snowmobiles/2009/DeepSnow/800ASSAULTRMK/Pages/Features.aspx
Still need to install venting. depending on how many miles you might need to put a new top end on the engine. 7-7500 sounds high this time of year.

 

[cwrolson]

Front A-Arms are wider on the Assault. Assault uses longer shocks and doesn't have a swaybar. Assault is uses a different track with stiff paddles and it is usually shorter 146.
http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/Snowmobiles/2009/DeepSnow/800ASSAULTRMK/Pages/Features.aspx
Still need to install venting. depending on how many miles you might need to put a new top end on the engine. 7-7500 sounds high this time of year.

The guy I heard about this sled from says it's a 153 or 155? Would one of these assaults make a good mountain sled though? or are they more of a snowcross sled? Would the wider A-arms help or hinder me for mountain riding?