king cat handleing

[Rixster]

So for 3 years I have been trying to get my 04 king to handle like my 04 mountain cat. They are identical as far as rails, track length and track. The king just always had more ski pressure then I liked and I could never get ride of it. The Mountain cat just had a much lighter feel on the front end. So After looking at them both the other day I discover that the rear arms in the rear suspension are NOT the same. The lower Arm is longer on the king. So i look it up, sure enough, the 04 and 05 king run a different arm then the 04 mountain cat and 06 king. The 04 mountain cat and 06 king (as well as MANY other sleds) use this shorter arm. It is a good 1.5 inches shorter. Sure enough after changing it she handles like a dream !! Sorry for the poor explanation. It is the lowest arm that hooks to the rails in the very back of the skid.

 

[KMMAC]

Spot on ! would not have caught that....

 

[diesel12]

Rixster-

Would you happen to have a part number? Is it number 5 below?

-Ryan

 

[pano-dude]

should be able to just drill new holes in the original piece, correct?

 

[Rixster]

Yep, #5 on that microfiche. 1704-001 is the number that I switched it to. The shorter one. It is used on EVERY 04 mountain cat EVERY 05 M series the 06 king and the HCR M8's

1704-058 is the one that is longer and is stock on the 04 and 05 king. Nothing else.

 

[MT rydn]

Thanks, Rixter. These old mountain cats do handle well.
Do these sleds need anti stab kits in your opinion? I have two 04 mountain cats and have the track a little on the loose side on one of them but will probably keep them both tight after reading about problems on M series. I'm currently planning on anti stab kit but wonder if I really need them.

 

[Rixster]

should be able to just drill new holes in the original piece, correct?

You Might be able to, I really don't remember if there is room or not. I do know there is a cross support not very far under the holes now. The arms are a good inch and a half different in length.

 

[Rixster]

Thanks, Rixter. These old mountain cats do handle well.
Do these sleds need anti stab kits in your opinion? I have two 04 mountain cats and have the track a little on the loose side on one of them but will probably keep them both tight after reading about problems on M series. I'm currently planning on anti stab kit but wonder if I really need them.

I am running one on my 04 king. I did stab a track on that sled. It was my fault though. I screwed up the rail tip and didn't change the rail. In the end it got me. The cap came off and the rail stabbed the track. It destroyed the rail and the track so I had no choice but to change rails. Have not had a issue since. I DON'T run drop brackets, I don't like them, I think the ruin the handling of this sled. If that makes any difference.

 

[maddogwfo]

Interesting Thread

A couple of questions, I just bought a 2005 Kingcat with under a 1000 mile in increditable shape,(looks new) and I have been running a heavly mod 2003 900 1m with a 159x16x2.5 Challenger, I am swapping alot of mod parts, just got a new 162 Power Claw track, Anti stab kit and ready to make the swap from the attack 20,from what I am gathering here, is it make the front in lighter with the shorter arm, while compressing rear supension on this Kingcat my skis come off the ground ( I have not rode it yet )would it make the front end to light in a steep climb, my 2003 mod was setup to keep the front end about a foot of the snow in a steep climb and very controllable. Running drop brackets on it. could this swap for the shorter arm make the front end to light in a steep climb, any comments, thanks for any imput, I am looking forward to trying this sled out, MADDOGWFO

 

[diggerdown]

I put drop brackets on mine just to try to put more weight on the front! It still does not handle throught the deep ruts as well as a sled with more front ski pressure.

 

[mtncat1]

center to center lenght

does anybody know the center to center lenght on the shorter arm

 

[Rixster]

A couple of questions, I just bought a 2005 Kingcat with under a 1000 mile in increditable shape,(looks new) and I have been running a heavly mod 2003 900 1m with a 159x16x2.5 Challenger, I am swapping alot of mod parts, just got a new 162 Power Claw track, Anti stab kit and ready to make the swap from the attack 20,from what I am gathering here, is it make the front in lighter with the shorter arm, while compressing rear supension on this Kingcat my skis come off the ground ( I have not rode it yet )would it make the front end to light in a steep climb, my 2003 mod was setup to keep the front end about a foot of the snow in a steep climb and very controllable. Running drop brackets on it. could this swap for the shorter arm make the front end to light in a steep climb, any comments, thanks for any imput, I am looking forward to trying this sled out, MADDOGWFO

Did you run your drop brackets on your 03? If so I would say ride the king first, then if you think you need the added ski pressure ad the drop brackets. I would guess, a sled with the shorter arm and drop brackets is about the same as a sled with OUT brackets running the longer arm. I thought the sled had to much ski pressure with just the longer arm. You also have to consider that I am 6'4 230 pounds before I get any gear on. Probably close to 250 geared up ready to ride. I do have a advantage of being able to get my weight over the front of the sled when I need to. I understand your concern with big hp and the front being to light. Here is what I have found about the king chassis. The lighter the front end is, the better the DEEP snow handling. When the spring snow comes I suck up the limiter straps and get some added pressure. If I don't, I cant even ride the sled on hard snow. As soon as you look at the throttle the skis come off the ground.

 

[maddogwfo]

Thanks

Thanks Rixster for the imput, I was running the drop brackets on my mod 2003 1m and do not have the for the King yet, I will try riding it first with the new Power Claw track, the King has come with a forward mounted steering post and a six risser which will help keeping the front end down I think MADDOGWFO

 

[MT rydn]

definitely agree keep front pressure light for deep powder as will lose on handling otherwise.

 

[Reeb]

I understand your concern with big hp and the front being to light. Here is what I have found about the king chassis. The lighter the front end is, the better the DEEP snow handling. When the spring snow comes I suck up the limiter straps and get some added pressure. If I don't, I cant even ride the sled on hard snow. As soon as you look at the throttle the skis come off the ground.

Fought this a few times when the springtime snow is here on my mod. Even the slightest touch of the throttle and you're holding on for dear life. Reminded me of LAGUNS 1404 in his stock King Chassis. Ridiculous fun to ride, but not at all what you want when climbing...or carving, or turning, or pretty much anything that isn't straight up and down. However once I got the rear skid figured out(not stock) things have settled right back down again.

Limiter straps can make a world of difference, well, any adjustment on the suspension, instead of throwing parts on it or swapping skids for something expensive, most people don't try to cater their stock skid for thier riding style. Case in point, customer has a '08 XP and the steering is unbelievably stiff. Having the limiters cranked right up, now he's looking for new skis, shocks, and rear skid to try and make it work like the current XP's. I cranked up all 4 of his shocks, loosened the militer and all of a sudden he doesn't need to buy a new sled anylonger. Yeah I talked my way out of a sale this year, but hopefully he remembers and comes back when he needs to purchase his next ride.

Now there are circumstances were the stock skid will not work period, however, try to adjust and play with settings before dropping coin you might not have to.