Changing skis on wifes sled...need some advice from the veterans

[SHEFFY40]

My wife has a 2004 summit 600.It came with the skis that have the straight side on one side of the ski(sorry youll have to excuse me but im not sure what model they are im pretty new to the sled game).The sled doesnt handle very good with those skis compared to mine (with the pilots)so we want to switch to some pilots....do i need any extra hardware to put those on or can i use the exsisting bolts etc and just buy the skis?Also is it pretty easy to install them or should i get a shop to do it??
thanks

 

[Idaho Slim]

Do it yourself.

Swapping skis are easy.......... Even I can doo it I have done it a tleast a dozen times, get a car jack prop up a side, swap the ski, 2 wrenchs, pound out the bolt (Carefull during re-entry to not booger the threads) You will CUSS BUT ITS EASY.

First off, the pilots wont fit I believe, and even if you dont have an extra set of Pilots laying around, you would be better off buying a set off aftermarket skis's, If you are concerned with mostly trail handling, then buy a used set of Simmons, (Or new if you want to spend the coin) If you only ride part time trails, Slydogs "Trail" skis or "Mods" are just as good and lighter, and are a tad better in the Pow IMHO.

Secondly,and even more important, is tomake sure it is SET-Up for your wife, not you, it makes a difference.

If she is under 125lbs.: Set the front ski shocks on the second notch from the lightest setting. Set the REAR suspension cogs at its lowest setting. Set the front shock on the REAR suspension on its llightest setting.

125 - 150 lbs: Set the front ski shocks on the center notch, rear cogs same as 125lbs.

150-175 lbs.: Set the front shocks on its stiffest setting, the rear cogs on its middle notch the front shock of the REAR suspension on its lighest setting - Always if your following for good transfer

>175lbs: Front ski shocks on its stiffest, rear cogs on 3rd notch, front shock of rear on lighetest.

 

[SHEFFY40]

Swapping skis are easy.......... Even I can doo it I have done it a tleast a dozen times, get a car jack prop up a side, swap the ski, 2 wrenchs, pound out the bolt (Carefull during re-entry to not booger the threads) You will CUSS BUT ITS EASY.

First off, the pilots wont fit I believe, and even if you dont have an extra set of Pilots laying around, you would be better off buying a set off aftermarket skis's, If you are concerned with mostly trail handling, then buy a used set of Simmons, (Or new if you want to spend the coin) If you only ride part time trails, Slydogs "Trail" skis or "Mods" are just as good and lighter, and are a tad better in the Pow IMHO.

Secondly,and even more important, is tomake sure it is SET-Up for your wife, not you, it makes a difference.

If she is under 125lbs.: Set the front ski shocks on the second notch from the lightest setting. Set the REAR suspension cogs at its lowest setting. Set the front shock on the REAR suspension on its llightest setting.

125 - 150 lbs: Set the front ski shocks on the center notch, rear cogs same as 125lbs.

150-175 lbs.: Set the front shocks on its stiffest setting, the rear cogs on its middle notch the front shock of the REAR suspension on its lighest setting - Always if your following for good transfer

>175lbs: Front ski shocks on its stiffest, rear cogs on 3rd notch, front shock of rear on lighetest.

Thanks for the help....we are mainly doing backcountry riding so i want a powder ski(any opinions on what ski)...so you think slydogs are better than pilots for pow????

 

[Tackbtch]

skis

We installed a set of pilots on the wifes 03 zx, bolted right up, worked slicker than pig snot on a teflon skillet. I run simmons on my 02 but sure liked the way the pilots work on the 03. The pilots are not as darty on the trail and worked great in the powder...way better than the stock skis that came with the 03. I dont have any experiance with the other skis mentioned above. Almost any ski will be better than the side hiller 2... I think thats what the stock ski was called. Dino

 

[deadcat]

When working on the wifes sled all aftermarket parts go on your sled. Your stock parts become an upgrade to you spare. Oops I mean your wifes sled.

 

[Brotha NOS]

Stock ski's

Before you buy a new set of skis for your 2004, Swap the skis from one side to the other and it will quit darting. If she doesn't like it, let her decide. My wife hated the Simmons so I put a set of Pilots on and she was OK with them. But she was also OK when I swappwed the skis from side to side.

 

[nathaniel11]

Ive had real good luck with simmon skis in the back country. I know alot of people that like riding simmons in pow too.

 

[DOODOG]

I installed a pair of Simmons skies on my 05 800 144" they work great and are simple to install.
Doodog

 

[kodpkd]

usi 301

I put a set of USI P 301's on my 05 REV. Made it a new sled.. VERY easy to control in deep powder. The would track any direction you wanted to go, without falling into trenches & holes.

 

[2Deep]

A couple of quick suggestions:

Check ski alignment...it makes a big difference.
Check skegs for wear (obvious but thought I'd mention it)

Try swapping the skis off you sled on to hers- that way you/she can determine how thos will perform on her sled.

If you can't swap a ski, you don't belong in a sport for motorheads! One bolt, one nut, one cotter pin, and a couple of washers. Nothing is eaiser. What happens if something breaks when your out somewhere? You can't call triple A, maybe triple S (Society for Skilled Snowmobilers). Learn how to fix things on your sled before you blow a belt somewhere and freeze to death because you don't know how to put a new one on.

 

[SHEFFY40]

A couple of quick suggestions:

Check ski alignment...it makes a big difference.
Check skegs for wear (obvious but thought I'd mention it)

Try swapping the skis off you sled on to hers- that way you/she can determine how thos will perform on her sled.

If you can't swap a ski, you don't belong in a sport for motorheads! One bolt, one nut, one cotter pin, and a couple of washers. Nothing is eaiser. What happens if something breaks when your out somewhere? You can't call triple A, maybe triple S (Society for Skilled Snowmobilers). Learn how to fix things on your sled before you blow a belt somewhere and freeze to death because you don't know how to put a new one on.

I asked a simple question about the skis(not about a belt).....i just wanted to make sure there wasnt any extra little things that had to be done for alignemnt etc....Keep the smart A S S comments to yourself IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SHEFFY40]

When working on the wifes sled all aftermarket parts go on your sled. Your stock parts become an upgrade to you spare. Oops I mean your wifes sled.

Lmao......

 

[PassRev]

Put Simmons skis on the GF's sled (04 Rev 800 151).

She said:
Less fatigue at the end of the day and overall better control then she had with the OEM skis.