Ice Age Hellfire and TKI Billet Wheels

[FriscoProx]

Anyone running stock, 8", or big wheel kits from either of Ice Age or TKI? Broke a rear idler already and until now had good luck with stock in the past but thinking these sleds are spinning big heavy tracks on two cheap plastic wheels. Seems there could be some ride quality and possibly small performance gains. Any input from those who use them?

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

Anyone running stock, 8", or big wheel kits from either of Ice Age or TKI? Broke a rear idler already and until now had good luck with stock in the past but thinking these sleds are spinning big heavy tracks on two cheap plastic wheels. Seems there could be some ride quality and possibly small performance gains. Any input from those who use them?

I’m running TKI 9” setup with plastic wheels.

Much smoother rolling and better wheelies. ?

Noticeably better reverse in powder.

 

[Murph]

9” IceAge Hellfire wheels.
Also noticed smoother running with 3.5” track pitch and better backing up in deep snow.

 

[Keith_PDX]

What did you guys use for rear axles to accommodate the larger wheels?
@Murph
@Sheetmetalfab

 

[Murph]

What did you guys use for rear axles to accommodate the larger wheels?
@Murph
@Sheetmetalfab

IceAge offset axle.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

What did you guys use for rear axles to accommodate the larger wheels?
@Murph
@Sheetmetalfab

TKI axle.

Do a price check and select how much bling you want.

 

[wonderxc600]

I’m running TKI 9” setup with plastic wheels.

Much smoother rolling and better wheelies. ?

Noticeably better reverse in powder.

View attachment 382240

Will the small burandt bag attach to the bag you have. Thanks

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

Will the small burandt bag attach to the bag you have. Thanks

Yes it has the plastic slots at the back of the bag.

 

[KhaosRipcord]

9” IceAge Hellfire wheels.
Also noticed smoother running with 3.5” track pitch and better backing up in deep snow.View attachment 382376

What kind of track tension you seeing on this set up? Any issues? I put the 9in hellfires with offset axle and it is tight! Also, the rear of the rail is only like 1/4" from touching the track clips.

 

[Pickin’ Boogers]

On friends' 9" setups, clearance is tight!

 

[KhaosRipcord]

On friends' 9" setups, clearance is tight!

Have they run into any issues with rail clearance or track performance? The best I can get is like 3/4" tension but the book calls for 1 to 1 1/4" on the 2.75 track. Debating leaving it in there or going a different direction for next season.

 

[Pickin’ Boogers]

No "problems" with clearance, but if I remember right, a few rear rail tips have rub marks. Likely just from the occasional contact due to oscillations as the track spins.

In reality, the 9" kits are designed as an afterthought and show it (a dedicated design would have rails cut to use 9" wheels to begin with, using a straight axle). The IceAge offset axles don't even have a flat surface for the adjustment bolts to push on - they're ramped instead of square. Again, not a "problem," but ineligant.

Like a lot of the snowmobile industry, it seems the market is so small that kits aren't as refined as they would be with higher volume sales.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

No "problems" with clearance, but if I remember right, a few rear rail tips have rub marks. Likely just from the occasional contact due to oscillations as the track spins.

In reality, the 9" kits are designed as an afterthought and show it (a dedicated design would have rails cut to use 9" wheels to begin with, using a straight axle). The IceAge offset axles don't even have a flat surface for the adjustment bolts to push on - they're ramped instead of square. Again, not a "problem," but ineligant.

Like a lot of the snowmobile industry, it seems the market is so small that kits aren't as refined as they would be with higher volume sales.

Yeah TKI has a much cleaner offset axle design than ice age…….

If you want a “dedicated design” just buy ice age rails cut for 9” wheels and some wheels to use with your stock axle.

No sense in acting like that option doesn’t exist.

 

[Pickin’ Boogers]

If you want a “dedicated design” just buy ice age rails cut for 9” wheels and some wheels to use with your stock axle

Those are special order, and very expensive.

 

[Teth-Air]

I run 9" plastic wheels with TKI offset axle. This on a 165 Matryx with the 3.25" lug track. I thought i might be pushing it with the tall lugs but there was no problem at all as nothing seems to contact in the tunnel. There is plenty of adjustment too. I also run 6" lengths of UHMW off the back of the skis with a tip-up, so it backs up like a dream.

 

[TRS]

Avid makes an option as well.