Iceage ELEVATE kit - interesting!!!

[badaltitude]

Please define quite a bit ? how far did it actually move in inches

Didn’t measure but it was noticeable. 27* at 2” longer or so if your good with math and really concerned with numerical data it’d be easy to figure out. I didn’t really care if it moved them forward as long as the kit works as advertised, but it was for sure enough to visually notice. Definitely not like the barcode kit tho where your talking inches.

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

Quick math shows it pushes the ski forward ~ .9" forward. due to the increased height. of the spindle.

Definately enough that when you stand on one you can tell the skis stick a little farther forward.

 

[ullose272]

Since the alpha kit is basically just spindles and relocating the skid, seems like a person good at machining could simply build a spacer that bolts to the bottom of the stock spindle to raise the front? And be a whole lot cheaper?

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[jakey-boy]

Since the alpha kit is basically just spindles and relocating the skid, seems like a person good at machining could simply build a spacer that bolts to the bottom of the stock spindle to raise the front? And be a whole lot cheaper?

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I bet if it worked that is the route Ice Age would have taken. Could sell a pile more of those even if they marked them up double the cost of production... My guess its been tested and isn't quite that easy.

 

[ullose272]

I bet if it worked that is the route Ice Age would have taken. Could sell a pile more of those even if they marked them up double the cost of production... My guess its been tested and isn't quite that easy.

I dont see why it wouldnt be, it may be a strength liabilty issue, more leverage on a stock spindle. They wouldnt want to be liable of get a bad name for bending a bunch of spindles

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[boondocker97]

I dont see why it wouldnt be, it may be a strength liabilty issue, considerablymore leverage on a stock spindle. They wouldnt want to be liable of get a bad name for bending a bunch of spindles

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Fixed it. I'd bet a fair amount of money the stock spindle couldn't handle it. There's been a small number of people that have bent stockers.

 

[summ8rmk]

Since the alpha kit is basically just spindles and relocating the skid, seems like a person good at machining could simply build a spacer that bolts to the bottom of the stock spindle to raise the front? And be a whole lot cheaper?

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U would nd to machine the bottom of the stock spindle to get a smooth flat surface to bolt an extension on. Then the stock spindle would bend right below the lower ball joint first time u hit a tree with the ski turned all the way.
But yes, if u have access to the equipment, u can easily fab an extension and get similar results. Also, if u have access to the equipment, u can just make ur own long spindles....

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[ullose272]

True. And overall just kinda not look good. Just spitballing

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[broz2006]

Fixed it. I'd bet a fair amount of money the stock spindle couldn't handle it. There's been a small number of people that have bent stockers.

Did you notice the ski further forward when we had our sleds side by side?

 

[IceAge Performance]

I dont see why it wouldnt be, it may be a strength liabilty issue, more leverage on a stock spindle. They wouldnt want to be liable of get a bad name for bending a bunch of spindles

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There are numerous reasons we went with a full 1 piece billet spindle. Obviously the con to it was cost vs a small extension blocks.. Taking into account all factors we found that a full 1 piece billet spindle was the only viable option to go for a production level kit.

Issue 1: Strength - The stock mountain spindles are rather weak and buckling the upper portion is not uncommon. With the increase in height below the lower a-arm we were creating an increase in leverage which would just increase the risk of failure in this zone, not something we were comfortable with. We spent a lot of time in the field and doing 3D modeling and stress analysis to ensure we had a part ready to handle the abuse of the customers.

Issue 2: Mating - The bottom "foot" on the cat spindle is cast and has a seam in the middle of it. This makes of a VERY inconsistent mating surface. This makes it very challenging to get a good mating surface.We ran some prototypes with extension blocks on the stock spindle just out of curiosity. They would be super tight fitting and very hard to install and then halfway through a day would wear in and have significant slop in them. Cats with extra steering system slop, not what anyone wants! lol There were some ways around it to get it to seat good but it became a lot more of a hokey DIY project then a nice bolt on solution.

In the end, our goal is always to provide the highest quality products.

 

[ullose272]

There are numerous reasons we went with a full 1 piece billet spindle. Obviously the con to it was cost vs a small extension blocks.. Taking into account all factors we found that a full 1 piece billet spindle was the only viable option to go for a production level kit.

Issue 1: Strength - The stock mountain spindles are rather weak and buckling the upper portion is not uncommon. With the increase in height below the lower a-arm we were creating an increase in leverage which would just increase the risk of failure in this zone, not something we were comfortable with. We spent a lot of time in the field and doing 3D modeling and stress analysis to ensure we had a part ready to handle the abuse of the customers.

Issue 2: Mating - The bottom "foot" on the cat spindle is cast and has a seam in the middle of it. This makes of a VERY inconsistent mating surface. This makes it very challenging to get a good mating surface.We ran some prototypes with extension blocks on the stock spindle just out of curiosity. They would be super tight fitting and very hard to install and then halfway through a day would wear in and have significant slop in them. Cats with extra steering system slop, not what anyone wants! lol There were some ways around it to get it to seat good but it became a lot more of a hokey DIY project then a nice bolt on solution.

In the end, our goal is always to provide the highest quality products.

Thanks for the that info!

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[boondocker97]

Did you notice the ski further forward when we had our sleds side by side?

I didn't, but I'm sure it is.

 

[badaltitude]

Since the alpha kit is basically just spindles and relocating the skid, seems like a person good at machining could simply build a spacer that bolts to the bottom of the stock spindle to raise the front? And be a whole lot cheaper?

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I have bent 2 stock spindles already, and no way would I personally feel they would stand up with more leverage below the lower ball joint.

I also tried to make the new sx race spindles work on the alpha, and ran into several hiccups that made it far from worth the effort for me to do things that way. I got a killer deal on the elevate kit and it was at my door rite away as well. Parts look killer and fitment was perfect. End product was a killer looking sled to boot. Now I just need to get out to test it. If it works as good as the machining looks, I’ll be very happy.

 

[summ8rmk]

I have bent 2 stock spindles already, and no way would I personally feel they would stand up with more leverage below the lower ball joint.



I also tried to make the new sx race spindles work on the alpha, and ran into several hiccups that made it far from worth the effort for me to do things that way. I got a killer deal on the elevate kit and it was at my door rite away as well. Parts look killer and fitment was perfect. End product was a killer looking sled to boot. Now I just need to get out to test it. If it works as good as the machining looks, I’ll be very happy.

Please come back and post positive and negative.

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[ullose272]

At least is sounds like they bend and dont break off like the one on my axys did, not much fun getting that back from the middle of nowhere

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[madmax]

What are the pros or cons of moving the ski forward? I would think it might affect steering effort. Just curious what people think about the ski farther forward.?

 

[summ8rmk]

What are the pros or cons of moving the ski forward? I would think it might affect steering effort. Just curious what people think about the ski farther forward.?

Barcode moves skis 5in forward....
Easier to initiate sidehill.

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[d1100t]

Spindle

Barcode moves skis 5in forward....
Easier to initiate sidehill.

reduce [emoji58]

Skinz concept spindle and A-arm kits moves the skis forward also.

 

[sno*jet]

not a fan of wheelbase lengthening myself but SLP skis have adjustable saddles thankfully. could take that inch back out if ya want.

 

[madmax]

Barcode moves skis 5in forward....
Easier to initiate sidehill.

reduce [emoji58]

I think that was one of cats marketing comments on making the caster 27 degrees. In effect, moving the ski forward. The correct way to do it, I believe, is like the bar code kit where you get new A-arms that move the spindle.