Ice Age Rail inputs?

[guidoxpress]

ok...

i am looking into getting some Ice Age Rails for my RMK 900...theres many factors to running these and considering what it would cost me to run stock rails, 9" wheels, offset axle, i would be into what a nice set of IA rails would be...plus the rails are a STEAL at $280/set..shoot...no brainer..

well heres what my concerns are..

i am running a 166 track...i want 9" wheels for sure..so...

i have 2 rmk 900s, as much as i would love to say i will have them forever..i wont..or at least they wont be my main sled down the road...

so should i order these rails in the TIP up..or flat...

and should i order them in the 166" length for a direct fit, or should i get them in a 163 length so i can use them on my "next sled" (that will be a long track for sure anyways, ie Camo Extreme 163), i know i can eat the extra length with the 9" wheels..

just wanted to get some inputs on it first, and what style (tipped/flat) i should get as well?

 

[800poodragon]

I put the ice age rails on mine 2 years ago and love them. I went with the 8 inch wheel set up and no tip up...of course mine is only a 155. Not sure what difference it makes with a longer track.

 

[guidoxpress]

thanks bud.
yeh i have been wanting to go that route for a while..but i can sell my 166 stock rails for $100 pretty easy, so wouldnt be much more for them in the long run...

i need to see your sled in person...same with you..lots has changed on my pigs

 

[WestMont]

I went with the flat 162" IA rails with the 8" wheel set up on a Edge chassis and couldn't be happier with them. For the money you can't go wrong. The price included new hyfaxes, rubber stops, and hardware. I paid a bit more and had them anodized black in hopes to keep the snow from sticking to them. They also came pre drilled for both the stock suspension and the Holz suspension. Everything bolts right up no hassle making it one of the easiest mods to assemble and install.

 

[HUNDO]

Sean, I just went through the same questions. I even sent IceAge a message to make sure the 163s would work with the 166 and big wheels...they said it would not work. I assure you they will. I went with the flat rails since the sled with tipped rails just doesn't seem to hook up like I think it should. Guess we'll see...and on the bright side, I can upgrade to a Challenger Extreme much easier now

 

[guidoxpress]

Sean, I just went through the same questions. I even sent IceAge a message to make sure the 163s would work with the 166 and big wheels...they said it would not work. I assure you they will. I went with the flat rails since the sled with tipped rails just doesn't seem to hook up like I think it should. Guess we'll see...and on the bright side, I can upgrade to a Challenger Extreme much easier now

THATS what i need to hear, lol..

send me some pics if you can bud. i would really appreciate it...not that i dont trust you, lol...

so you went with the 163 for sure then huh..and flat rails..good deal..

PICS NOW, lol..

guidoxpress@hotmail.com

or post them here for others to enjoy!!!!

 

[mountainhorse]

Sean...IMO... go with the rails instead of messin around with adapters etc.

I'm not a fan of 9".... they look good... but.

If you have 163" rails made for the 9" wheels... you wont be able to make up the difference with 9" wheels now will you.

The new look of the new style 2009 and up rails is bad azz....

Sell your stock rails for $150 for the pair and you will not be into the new ones for that much.

IMO... go with tipped up rails with the 166".

The ice age rail kits come with new rail caps, hyfax, adjuster blocks and nuts/bolts.

Take off your old and bolt on your new ones.

Don't over-think it... sell the sled when you do with the Ice Age rails in it.

A 166" has only 1.5" longer rails than the 163".

The problem of running a 9" on a rail made for an 8" is that the rear axle and idlers take more load, constantly, than they should... a 9" will stick below the hyfax another 1/2"... which will not allow the rails to distribute the load of tail hard landings, rough trails etc.... unless you use an offset axle that will allow you to run flush with the hyfax.

they said it would not work. I assure you they will.

That is often the case... I'm sincerely curious on this one too Hundo.... just for the general knowledge.

What were the rails made for? (8's or 9's)

Do you have a pic of the adjuster-slot/axle with the tension set?

Are you running a back-set/off-set axle?

What kind of tension are you running?
Should be about 1/2" with a 10 lb weight placed just in front of the scissor (with tipped up rails; straight rails and you increase that to 3/4" with the same weight)... much looser than that and the track is not working properly (paddles lay over and a lot more friction happens between the hyfax/track with it running on the snow... much different than the "false test" of "gee it pulls over much easier on the stand when I loosen the track" )

just doesn't seem to hook up like I think it should.

With a 166" 2.4" lug series IV track on there...I really think this is more a suspension setup issue or running a loose track than having enough engagement in the snow.... maybe with a turbo you would notice a larger difference.

The tipped up rails are nice if you like to boondock with one of these extreme length tracks... If you like to climb more or are on a less extreme length track (like a 155").. then the straight rails really are not as noticeable in tight quarters.

Hundo... don't you have a early generation Holz Coilover in your sled?
Those can take a bit of tinkering to get them working like they should.

 

[mountainhorse]

Also... I don't think that the 166" rails are part of that sale... I think those are considered custom rails from them...especially with the 9" rear.

Give em a call and post up what you find for price and availabilty.... I'm curious if they offer them and at what price....Will they be the "new style"... how much extra for the black color?

 

[HUNDO]

Also... I don't think that the 166" rails are part of that sale... I think those are considered custom rails from them...especially with the 9" rear.

Give em a call and post up what you find for price and availabilty.... I'm curious if they offer them and at what price....Will they be the "new style"... how much extra for the black color?

I asked that question also, they told me the 166 rails would be the same price, and that they aren't a custom rail, just not sold much...not sure about with a 9" wheel though or if they would be the newer rail style. The price for black powdercoat is $100 per pair.

 

[guidoxpress]

UPDATE!!

Also... I don't think that the 166" rails are part of that sale... I think those are considered custom rails from them...especially with the 9" rear.

Give em a call and post up what you find for price and availabilty.... I'm curious if they offer them and at what price....Will they be the "new style"... how much extra for the black color?

just spoke with Jake at Ice Age...GREAT GUY!! and very helpful..

they dont have the rails in stock right now..but after an order is placed, its about a 2 week turn around time for them...ALL rails NOT in stock, regardless of sled, length will be in the NEW STYLE rail...

there is ALSO FREE SHIPPING!!

rails are on a 20% discount right now until fall (no date set yet)

Anodizing of rails is $100/set

they ONLY 166 rails they make are the TIPPED up version. (he said theres lots of discussion on the tipped versus flat...and its personal preference...but the tipped will steer easier on trail and the 3 degrees difference between the tipped and flat would be minimal if any difference in skid transfer...)

they offer the 166 rails is 8" wheel or 9" wheel, and do not consider them custom..

i am gonna order them as soon as my rails sell, hopefully soon..i will get them in RAW finish cause i am powder coating them...my local powder coater is pretty busy, so he is letting me come to his shop and use all HIS equipment and powder coat my rails, rear section of my VE tunnel, and coolant tube from the tunnel..and i just pay for "material"...OH YEH!!!!!!!!

 

[guidoxpress]

got the Ice Age rails in the mail today

was like a kid at Christmas..

i wanted to give a personal shout out to Jake @ Ice Age...he was SO helpful and went above and beyond to help me out, and even called me a few times to make sure everything was good and to help me out.

they are sick...very light, i weighed them @ ~5.5lbs each..my scale is not the best scale with precise measurements, but its close

also got a set of Billet 9" wheels from Ice Age that are pretty sweet and some ice scratchers..

rails are now at the powder coaters..will be sprayed orange to go along with my build theme, wheels i will powder coat black myself, scratchers are black of coarse, but i will coat the bushing orange too..

some pics, not the best cause i was in a hurry to get to the powder coaters, and the rails didnt wanna stand up very good, lol...

WELL WORTH THE BUY....but FYI, they are no longer 20% off...back to regular pricing, but with free shipping...

 

[Eli]

That will looks much better than extensions! Very nice....

 

[WHEREDAFUGAWEE]

Ice age rails

Well Guidoexpress its been a few months since we talked, how was the summer? Ours in the Seattle area sucked, didnt even seem like we had one the temps were below normal and above normal precip and now its the first day of fall. Hey to fill you in, i have the 06 Poo 755 RMK and put the Zbroz front and rears shocks and ZBroz front A arms on (if you could remember the posts back earlier this year) I also ordered late last year Ice Age rails in 163 and had them anodized black, love them, so light and nicer than the stock 151's i had. You made the right choice and as with all your other builds of fine sleds, keep me informed on progress of any new projects. Think Snow!!! Chad (WHEREDAFUGAWEE)

 

[HUNDO]

Sorry for the long delay with the response, I finally dug all the crap out from around the sled so I could get some pics.

That is often the case... I'm sincerely curious on this one too Hundo.... just for the general knowledge.

What were the rails made for? (8's or 9's)

Do you have a pic of the adjuster-slot/axle with the tension set?

Are you running a back-set/off-set axle?

What kind of tension are you running?
Should be about 1/2" with a 10 lb weight placed just in front of the scissor (with tipped up rails; straight rails and you increase that to 3/4" with the same weight)... much looser than that and the track is not working properly (paddles lay over and a lot more friction happens between the hyfax/track with it running on the snow... much different than the "false test" of "gee it pulls over much easier on the stand when I loosen the track" ).

Rails were made for 8" and that's what I'm running. Standard axle. See attached pic of the adjuster slot (I had to run the adjustment out to the end to get the 3/4" of sag). The best I could do for a 10 lb weight was two 5 lb dumb bells on sitting in the track in front of the scissor.

With a 166" 2.4" lug series IV track on there...I really think this is more a suspension setup issue or running a loose track than having enough engagement in the snow.... maybe with a turbo you would notice a larger difference.

The tipped up rails are nice if you like to boondock with one of these extreme length tracks... If you like to climb more or are on a less extreme length track (like a 155").. then the straight rails really are not as noticeable in tight quarters.

Hundo... don't you have a early generation Holz Coilover in your sled?
Those can take a bit of tinkering to get them working like they should.

You're right, I do have the Holz coilover skid. It's set up exactly how Holz says to do it. If you (or anyone for that matter) know of a way to tweak it so the sled hooks up better, I'm open for anything