Anyone with a new kit want to do some measuring? I have a 2011 kit that I would like to see if I can update with some new goodies. Wondering how hard/if it's possible to update to the new suspension geometry, put in the flex front arm and build an SX third shock kit for it. What shock and spring rate were they using on the original SX linkage kits?
Convex suspension geometry
- Thread starter moparmadman40
- Start date
This May Help? I posted this on another Thread with updates
I have been trying to figure out how to update a 2011 to 2016.
Been concentrating on getting rid of the Double Limiter straps and put some flex in front arm.
Here's the main challenges I've found thus far:
- Front Arm is 2" longer on 2016
- The 2016 Suspension has no limiter strap.
- Front Shock mounts differently to top of front arm of the 2016.
- The 2016 shock is on center line on upper shaft were the older kits have off axis tabs to mount top of shock.
IMO it is an uphill battle to stuff the 2016 front and rear control arms under the older kits. I think it possible if you have good Fab skills and access to a machine shop. For me the 2011 is a labor of luv. $$$ and time wise I would be ahead to replace it with 2016 or newer kit.
Our 2011 kit we have done the following updates.
-Rotated front Spindle (Fabricated a new fork clamp bracket)
-Hardened gears
-2013 Bearing Update
-2014 T/S Ski
-2015 Double Bearing Update
-Have a 2013 120 Track but the drivers didn't come in time.
New Adjustments: tight on the track tension to try to keep the drive lugs from hitting the and wearing the 2 limiter straps.
Test riding the 2011 kit Saturday gave me the Impression to skip the flex arm. After we put the 120 2013 track on we may stop the updates there. The kit works just how it is.
Hopefully tonight I will be getting my 2016 LT out and pop-ing its cherry.
I Will follow your thread I am Intrigued with the 3rd Shock. I plan to run the 2016 LT with the Flex arm Locked out or mostly Locked Out.
My TSS is still in the Box. Will get 3rd shock sorted out Early January and find out what its all about.
I have been trying to figure out how to update a 2011 to 2016.
Been concentrating on getting rid of the Double Limiter straps and put some flex in front arm.
Here's the main challenges I've found thus far:
- Front Arm is 2" longer on 2016
- The 2016 Suspension has no limiter strap.
- Front Shock mounts differently to top of front arm of the 2016.
- The 2016 shock is on center line on upper shaft were the older kits have off axis tabs to mount top of shock.
IMO it is an uphill battle to stuff the 2016 front and rear control arms under the older kits. I think it possible if you have good Fab skills and access to a machine shop. For me the 2011 is a labor of luv. $$$ and time wise I would be ahead to replace it with 2016 or newer kit.
Our 2011 kit we have done the following updates.
-Rotated front Spindle (Fabricated a new fork clamp bracket)
-Hardened gears
-2013 Bearing Update
-2014 T/S Ski
-2015 Double Bearing Update
-Have a 2013 120 Track but the drivers didn't come in time.
New Adjustments: tight on the track tension to try to keep the drive lugs from hitting the and wearing the 2 limiter straps.
Test riding the 2011 kit Saturday gave me the Impression to skip the flex arm. After we put the 120 2013 track on we may stop the updates there. The kit works just how it is.
Hopefully tonight I will be getting my 2016 LT out and pop-ing its cherry.
I Will follow your thread I am Intrigued with the 3rd Shock. I plan to run the 2016 LT with the Flex arm Locked out or mostly Locked Out.
My TSS is still in the Box. Will get 3rd shock sorted out Early January and find out what its all about.
Last edited:
I have been trying to figure out how to update a 2011 to 2016.
Been concentrating on getting rid of the Double Limiter straps and put some flex in front arm.
Here's the main challenges I've found thus far:
- Front Arm is 2" longer on 2016
- The 2016 Suspension has no limiter strap.
- Front Shock mounts differently to top of front arm of the 2016.
- The 2016 shock is on center line on upper shaft were the older kits have off axis tabs to mount top of shock.
IMO it is an uphill battle to stuff the 2016 front and rear control arms under the older kits. I think it possible if you have good Fab skills and access to a machine shop. For me the 2011 is a labor of luv. $$$ and time wise I would be ahead to replace it with 2016 or newer kit.
Our 2011 kit we have done the following updates.
-Rotated front Spindle (Fabricated a new fork clamp bracket)
-Hardened gears
-2013 Bearing Update
-2014 T/S Ski
-2015 Double Bearing Update
-Have a 2013 120 Track but the drivers didn't come in time.
New Adjustments: tight on the track tension to try to keep the drive lugs from hitting the and wearing the 2 limiter straps.
Test riding the 2011 kit Saturday gave me the Impression to skip the flex arm. After we put the 120 2013 track on we may stop the updates there. The kit works just how it is.
Hopefully tonight I will be getting my 2016 LT out and pop-ing its cherry.
I Will follow your thread I am Intrigued with the 3rd Shock. I plan to run the 2016 LT with the Flex arm Locked out or mostly Locked Out.
My TSS is still in the Box. Will get 3rd shock sorted out Early January and find out what its all about.
Not that this is related, but contemplating locking the flex arm on mine, not sure I like it. Might give it a try, curious to hear feedback from others first though. Have enough other things to mess with currently.
Good to hear that the flex arm is questionable. I have been concentrating my efforts on making my kit more rideable vs. Deep snow performance. I have adjusted the strut length and sucked the limiter straps up a bit to get a 3" lower seat height. Milled off the front ski mount block at the bottom of the spindle and made an offset block to move the ski back 1.5" instead of rotating the spindle. Somewhat embarrassingly I have not put enough hours on my kit purchased in 2011 to require any bearing or gear upgrades, went back to school and some injuries. The original fox air shocks leave some to be desired but the cost to upgrade them is prohibitive. And now that the yeti ski is out I may save up for one, have a slydog with the original ts carbide's mounted on the outer edges that seems to work decent and only cost $200 not 5-6 that a ts ski does. My time and skill are cheap so i like to steer clear of purchased upgrades if I can build it myself, so the next logical step is a third shock and new track.
Rode a good part of the day with the flex arm locked. Initially liked it, more responsive to your movements etc, don't have to push the bike over quite as far to get it going. Great in the powder and side hills. But very unforgiving. I unlocked it after going through the trees in some snowmobile areas. Dealing with trail, or harder surfaces, having a bit of flex makes it easier to control and go where you want to go. I ended up into two trees with it locked, so it got unlocked, and things got easier.
