Replace 2024 Torsion Suspension with Coil-Over?

[03RMK800]

Looking the changes for 2026 Summit, and what's substantial compared to my 2024 Summit X. A couple of the "new and better" are intriguing. The new steering would be great, but I understand retrofitting gets into a lot of things, like spindles, shocks, tie rods, etc., as well as a steering post.

The other attractive new feature is the coil over rear suspension. It looks like its possible to drop the torsion springs, and change out the shock to a coil-over shock system. Not sure if this would work, or if the T Motion has to be locked up, or changed out.

Thoughts on feasibility and roadblocks like more expense, will be appreciated.

 

[Blainelukens]

I would sure think you could put the coil over shock in the rear skid assuming the geometry didn’t change. Being it just came out I doubt we will really know much until next year.

 

[justinkredible56]

zbroz has had this kit for quite a while. I think there may even be a few others offering something similar:

Ski-Doo Gen 5 Mountain X1 EXIT Rear 146"-165" Coilover Conversion Shock (2023-2024)

Our new X1 Coilover Conversion EXIT Shock Kit is a game-changer for your Gen 5 skid. It transforms the stock torsion spring on the tMotion X and tMotion XT rear suspension to a coilover shock. It dramatically improves the overall rear suspension performance from small bump to larger hits...

www.zbrozracing.com

 

[Norona]

Looking the changes for 2026 Summit, and what's substantial compared to my 2024 Summit X. A couple of the "new and better" are intriguing. The new steering would be great, but I understand retrofitting gets into a lot of things, like spindles, shocks, tie rods, etc., as well as a steering post.

The other attractive new feature is the coil over rear suspension. It looks like its possible to drop the torsion springs, and change out the shock to a coil-over shock system. Not sure if this would work, or if the T Motion has to be locked up, or changed out.

Thoughts on feasibility and roadblocks like more expense, will be appreciated.

Skid is different and different geo so you would need the whole skid.

 

[Driver]

Looking the changes for 2026 Summit, and what's substantial compared to my 2024 Summit X. A couple of the "new and better" are intriguing. The new steering would be great, but I understand retrofitting gets into a lot of things, like spindles, shocks, tie rods, etc., as well as a steering post.

If you want to update just the steering you need steering column, tie rods, supporting bridge & ball stud. See no reason why you would you necessarily need spindles and shocks unless you are gonna make it as 32".

 

[Norona]

If you want to update just the steering you need steering column, tie rods, supporting bridge & ball stud. See no reason why you would you necessarily need spindles and shocks unless you are gonna make it as 32".

there would be no reason to do this unless you were going to run 32 in my opinion, also on the coil over, the reason ski doo did it was to make the sled lighter, coil over makes it lighter but you need a bigger more robust shock to handle the suspension now. Torsions are old but they work, they handle small and large bump compliance, allowing the suspension to handle the middle. The coil over is more poppy because the suspension is a bit stiffer and also has more rebound. It is why it cost more on a sled like the expert which has more capacity and why the coil over on the summit x would not work well in the expert. Like every year guys suggest this and that to make their older sled like the new one, it is hard to do that, so if you don't upgrade enjoy your sled and save your money for gas and oil and more riding days as that will give you a better experience than spending thousands to try and make an older sled like a new one.

 

[Driver]

there would be no reason to do this unless you were going to run 32 in my opinion, also on the coil over, the reason ski doo did it was to make the sled lighter, coil over makes it lighter but you need a bigger more robust shock to handle the suspension now. Torsions are old but they work, they handle small and large bump compliance, allowing the suspension to handle the middle. The coil over is more poppy because the suspension is a bit stiffer and also has more rebound. It is why it cost more on a sled like the expert which has more capacity and why the coil over on the summit x would not work well in the expert. Like every year guys suggest this and that to make their older sled like the new one, it is hard to do that, so if you don't upgrade enjoy your sled and save your money for gas and oil and more riding days as that will give you a better experience than spending thousands to try and make an older sled like a new one.

Dont understand why are you quoting me, but new steering has less slop, skis turn more and theres less bump steering. Lynx also has it on Shredders with 34" & 36" stance. So if somebody wants to do it why not, if it improves riding experience its always cheaper than throwing 10 000$ extra for a new sled.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

Dont understand why are you quoting me, but new steering has less slop, skis turn more and theres less bump steering. Lynx also has it on Shredders with 34" & 36" stance. So if somebody wants to do it why not, if it improves riding experience its always cheaper than throwing 10 000$ extra for a new sled.

I think Norona's only acceptable version of modding a sled involves a six pack of beer and that's it.

 

[turboless terry]

Dont understand why are you quoting me, but new steering has less slop, skis turn more and theres less bump steering. Lynx also has it on Shredders with 34" & 36" stance. So if somebody wants to do it why not, if it improves riding experience its always cheaper than throwing 10 000$ extra for a new sled.

I actually agree with you on this. It probably doesn't cost that much being you're not dealing with shocks. More labor than anything. Less slop and more steering angle is great.
I also agree with norona. By doing this your not guaranteed the same handling. The only thing you're guaranteed is an old sled with new steering. There was no talk, that i remember, on lynx cutting bump steering 52%. That could be on whole design of 32. Lynx aren't as twitchy because of spindle offset anyway. All the years of modding sleds and a few years down the road the factory comes out with a bone stock sled that works better. I like mods but it is a lot of wasted money when you look back on it. All what someone wants. My 2 cents on what he's getting at.

 

[03RMK800]

Thanks to all for the replies on changing to a coil-over rear suspension. I might look at the ZBroz or other aftermarket sets made for the older Gen 5s.
The comments on changing steering to 2026 make it sound more feasible than I understood before.
Again, Thanks! to all.

 

[Norona]

Dont understand why are you quoting me, but new steering has less slop, skis turn more and theres less bump steering. Lynx also has it on Shredders with 34" & 36" stance. So if somebody wants to do it why not, if it improves riding experience its always cheaper than throwing 10 000$ extra for a new sled.

It will be okay....

 

[caper11]

Dont understand why are you quoting me, but new steering has less slop, skis turn more and theres less bump steering. Lynx also has it on Shredders with 34" & 36" stance. So if somebody wants to do it why not, if it improves riding experience its always cheaper than throwing 10 000$ extra for a new sled.

To each there own, It will probably be well over 3 g to upgrade the steering, and the 32” front end with the shocks and spindles.
Doo engineers say the steering has to be used with the 32”.

I was thinking of doing it on my sled till I seen how much it would probably cost. Its just a prototype but the expert had more play in the bars then my 2023.

 

[turboless terry]

To each there own, It will probably be well over 3 g to upgrade the steering, and the 32” front end with the shocks and spindles.
Doo engineers say the steering has to be used with the 32”.

I was thinking of doing it on my sled till I seen how much it would probably cost. Its just a prototype but the expert had more play in the bars then my 2023.

He wouldn't need shocks or 32. Just put the lynx ds spindles, post and whatever else on. Never heard them say anything more than more steering swing. That's probably all you're getting. That's great but not worth it to me. I'd rather upgrade.

 

[Driver]

To each there own, It will probably be well over 3 g to upgrade the steering, and the 32” front end with the shocks and spindles.
Doo engineers say the steering has to be used with the 32”.

I was thinking of doing it on my sled till I seen how much it would probably cost. Its just a prototype but the expert had more play in the bars then my 2023.

Why do you need spindles/shocks/arms?

 

[caper11]

The new expert is the best sidehilling summit yet. Its to complete the package to make sure everything would fit, on anolder summit. If someone wanted to go that far and make their older expert have the newer steering and front end.
The spindle is designed for the new steering, is the geometry of the spindle the same as the current summit?, I have no clue, but its a part of the package, The 26 shocks along with being calibrated to be on the 32” at the moment the only other shock that will work is the non reservoir KYB shock.
Just better to have ordered a 2026, and upgraded.

 

[turboless terry]

The new expert is the best sidehilling summit yet. Its to complete the package to make sure everything would fit, on anolder summit. If someone wanted to go that far and make their older expert have the newer steering and front end.
The spindle is designed for the new steering, is the geometry of the spindle the same as the current summit?, I have no clue, but its a part of the package, The 26 shocks along with being calibrated to be on the 32” at the moment the only other shock that will work is the non reservoir KYB shock.
Just better to have ordered a 2026, and upgraded.

He is talking about 34. Not a 32. Lynx has twin link. I'm sure the 32 was designed as a whole system so better to upgrade.

 

[caper11]

He is talking about 34. Not a 32. Lynx has twin link. I'm sure the 32 was designed as a whole system so better to upgrade.

I understand that. I have a Summit expert, not a lynx so I am basing all on my information on the Doo lineup, like most of the products out there on the snow.

 

[turboless terry]

I understand that. I have a Summit expert, not a lynx so I am basing all on my information on the Doo lineup, like most of the products out there on the snow.

one is talking apples and the other oranges. Turns out they can fit in the same box.

 

[caper11]

one is talking apples and the other oranges. Turns out they can fit in the same box.

Lol, and my point remains that was definitely missed. Thats a big assumption not knowing anything about the parts between the two brands on the 26MY.

 

[revshred86]

Looking the changes for 2026 Summit, and what's substantial compared to my 2024 Summit X. A couple of the "new and better" are intriguing. The new steering would be great, but I understand retrofitting gets into a lot of things, like spindles, shocks, tie rods, etc., as well as a steering post.

The other attractive new feature is the coil over rear suspension. It looks like its possible to drop the torsion springs, and change out the shock to a coil-over shock system. Not sure if this would work, or if the T Motion has to be locked up, or changed out.

Thoughts on feasibility and roadblocks like more expense, will be appreciated.

I have ran the Zbroz Exit torsion delete setup on my last 3 sleds, two Gen 4s and a Gen 5. It really is an awesome setup that gives you a more responsive rear end that can take a lot more abuse. The kit also tames the weight transfer just a bit, which allows me to keep the limit strap in agile mode at all times. With the stock setup on the turbo you are more limited on the steepness of terrain you can ride due to weight transfer/wheelie while in agile mode. I have always ran the setup with no t motion, but it will work well with the t motion setup also if you're into that kind of thing. For next year, the expert turbo 32" with the Zbroz torsion delete kit will be the setup.