Carnage... now what?

[cbrew325]

Had an unfortunate encounter with a tree today. Almost all the front plastic is toast so it seems like I may as well put the 09 plastics and bumper on. I guess my question is, will my sled hold up to trees a little better with the newer parts? I cant believe how much damage was done with this impact. I ride my sled hard and it would be nice to think I could keep this from happening in the future, but that's just not how I roll.

 

[akrevrider]

I'd go with 09 plastic and a Skinz front bumper.

akrevrider

 

[Surly1]

Personally I would so the 09 plstics, and an aftermarket bumper.

currently I am running the Tri-City bumper (on 08 plastics), and have hit and taken down some trees with no damage. Cobe makes a nice bumper too, plus I think he sells his in a kit with the 09 plastics. Skinz bumper also works, but def I think you want to go with an aftermarket bumber if you like hugging the trees.

 

[F-Bomb]

Oh ouch! The only positive aspect is now you can go to updated plastic and surprisingly get better deep snow performance. The 2009 - 2010 (but fits 07-08 IQ RAW) also offers a far superior front bumper system. It will now take minor taps and you can actually lift your sled from it without snapping off the bumper and ruining $400 worth of plastic! I have broken two of the new version metal bumpers and the nice thing is that instead of $400 it's $50 to replace or some shop time to fix them up.

here is an 07 with the front end update...

 

[skibreeze]

You can actually get off pretty cheap w/o going to the 09 plastic. Just replace the hood hinge and the center bucket/vent piece and put a Skins bumper on it. Last Saturday I snapped off a solid 4" pine accidentally with my Skins bumper with zero damage to the sled.

 

[cbrew325]

This all seems like solid advice. I was already contemplating the skinz bumper - seems like a good choice for the price. Whats gonna happen if I hit a large tree? Will the bumper crumple a little or is it going to damage the bulkhead?

 

[skibreeze]

If you hit a monster at speed, it is possible to get the bulkhead, but at that point it is going to be really expensive anyway. The Poo bulkhead is one of the strongest available, so I wouldn't worry about it. The Skins bumper is ligher built than the 08 TCP bumper, I like that from a weight, install, and crumple zone effect. I own both of these bumpers, one on an 07 and one on an 08 and really like the skins better, hands down.

 

[poorider]

no matter which bumper you go with definately do the newer style plastics, looks better and works better. Your front end won't act like a shovel any more when you nosedive,sounds like you need some new plastic anyway so why not?

 

[bfchiro]

Looking at your damage from what I can tell you can put the skinz bumper on and be good to go. I put one on my RMK and it looks great.

 

[cbrew325]

Now that is impressive.

No damage to the sled (other than the bumper)!

It is true, these aftermarket bumpers really work.

 

[cbrew325]

Progress has been made. Unfortunately I've got a very small amount of damage where the left side lower a-arm mounts to the bulkhead. I'm going to attempt to have someone do a little aluminum welding on it.

 

[wang11]

Oh ouch! The only positive aspect is now you can go to updated plastic and surprisingly get better deep snow performance. The 2009 - 2010 (but fits 07-08 IQ RAW) also offers a far superior front bumper system. It will now take minor taps and you can actually lift your sled from it without snapping off the bumper and ruining $400 worth of plastic! I have broken two of the new version metal bumpers and the nice thing is that instead of $400 it's $50 to replace or some shop time to fix them up.

here is an 07 with the front end update...

is that the mod rod headlight cover or what. i go to website and cant see how to order??? that sled is sick looking

 

[cbrew325]

Hey... no threadjacking.

I need the 411 on a-arms and swaybars. If I replace a-arms, should I get the 09 Dragon ones? I no longer need the old style sway-bar mounts since I don't have the bar installed anyway right?

 

[suitcase]

No damage to the sled (other than the bumper)!

It is true, these aftermarket bumpers really work.

Is that a skinz bumper?

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

No damage to the sled (other than the bumper)!

It is true, these aftermarket bumpers really work.

taught that tree a lesson huh?...

 

[skibreeze]

Is that a skinz bumper?

No, the Skins has angle cut ends.

 

[ghostwhite]

Love my CoBe bumper too, looks good with the 09 kit

 

[suitcase]

Well it seams that most of us here on this thread seam tobe tree magnets I glad to have the info from real life exp. Does any one know if one brand is stronger than the other. What would you all recomend?

 

[94fordguy]

Definitely a fan of the Skinz myself.... Haven't had a REAL test of it yet, only a minor one, but I know it would stand up very well. great peace of mind Especially with their heavy duty float plate covering the grill

 

[cbrew325]

Got the lower a-arm mount welded up thanks to some friends.

I've begun installing the 09 body work. I must say this is a great upgrade so far. It's a much better design and the project is pretty straight forward. I picked it up for 499 and I'm almost glad now for that tree that jumped out in front of me. Could've done without the a-arm damage however.