So I'm thinking...

[WyoUltra]

I have a 2004 700 RMK with a 144x2 on it right now, and from what I've heard, the new cat track is pretty awesome. Would it be hard to swap in a 153" cat track and suspension? (I know I'll have to regear it and swap drivers too)
Also, if I can't find a cat suspension for cheap, could get the track to fit on a 155 Polaris suspension? I'd like to go to a newer suspension in hopes of a nicer ride, but I don't really know how difficult this will be, or if I can expect really good results.

 

[Ryanlilly]

Depending on the lug hight you might have to drop and roll also.

 

[boxster7614]

Ice age makes the rails $350 the "newer suspension" is the same geometry as the Edge so it won't be any nicer ride and you will need a set of Avid power claw style 7 tooth drivers $250 a used 153 PC track around $400-450, no drop and roll is needed. Going from a 144 you will also need a tunnel extension.

 

[WyoUltra]

Would I have to run Ice Age rails?

 

[boxster7614]

Not sure if the 155 rails will work or not, maybe someone who has done it will chime in. But in theory the 155" rails should only be 1" longer than a 153" rail. Im sure if you got a used track that had already been warn in and streched a bit it might fit. Just depends where your rear axle ends up after you install the track but I would "think" that you would have enough adjustment in it to make up for the inch longer rail. You might not be able to run a big wheel kit with it but you would just have to put it on and see how much play you have. I used the polaris 163 IQ rails for my 162 PC and it worked fine. The IQ rails and the Edge rails have the same geometry so they will bolt right up to the edge suspension. Again this is just a guess I'm not saying it will for sure work.

 

[WyoUltra]

Even with the track adjustment, they're still an inch longer then the 153? So i'd probably be in the same boat if i looked around for a set of 151" rails too?

 

[boxster7614]

Yeah the 151 will be too short, You could always move the entire skid back an inch but this can affect the ski presure and handeling. however you might not even notice an inch offset. A big wheel kit might also be enough to take up the slop. Again this is all just me guessing and is theory. My 153" PC is a fabcraft skid. The right way is to use Ice age rails. One more thing I forgot is you also want to run a Ant-Stab kit with a 3" pitch track. Ice age will machine the front end of their rails to fit the Anit-Stab, it looks really nice. But add another $100 for the kit it self. Why not just go to a 162"? I know for sure the 163" rails work just fine and the more track the better.

This is my 04 700 162" PC w/ 9" bigwheel

This is my 05 UBR900 153" PC w/ Fabcraft skid 8" wheels

I kind of wish they were both just 162"s

 

[WyoUltra]

Well kinda because I'd rather "learn" how to ride with the smaller track so theoretically I'm even better with the longer track.. plus the skid is longer and more to dig out... I'm not really sure... Why do you prefer the 162? Does it really make that much of a difference?

How do you like the tracks on the edge anyways?

 

[Andreas83]

I went from a 159" track with 2" lugs to a 162" track with 2.25" lugs. Works great. Only regret is not going for a 2,5" lug track.
I narrowed the front suspension to 39". Its alot easyer to handle now.

 

[WyoUltra]

I went from a 159" track with 2" lugs to a 162" track with 2.25" lugs. Works great. Only regret is not going for a 2,5" lug track.
I narrowed the front suspension to 39". Its alot easyer to handle now.

I'm guessing you pulled your sway bar as well?

 

[Andreas83]

Yes, I did. The sled is a bit hard to handle on trails. But I i never go trail riding anyways. The powder pro skis are a great mod to. Works a lot better then the stock skis.

 

[WyoUltra]

Actually I was gonna go with some gripper skis, because I can get a really good deal for them.. Would you recommend pulling the sway bar? We normally ride the trail to the play areas then play maybe get back on the trail go further and then play etc..

 

[RockyMtn.Kris]

I think a good option would be to use the stock skid with 151 rails. You can find Ride fx shock from an Escape pretty cheap, run 7 tooth 3.0 pitch drivers, which will give you plenty of clearance and effectively gear down (if you have 9 tooth 2.52 now). Youve got options for adjustment, you can set the skid back an inch if you need, run an offset axle bigwheel kit, and cut the axle window out more if needed..

I once did a 151 to 159 on an Edge with 151 rails/offset axle and 1" setback.

I think the PC 153 would be a great upgrade for that sled. Im not sure I would "upgrade" the skid. You may have to do too much experimenting with drop brackets and messing with the skid transfer. You definately have lots of options though....

 

[WyoUltra]

I'd also kinda like to keep it at 153" cause I haul my sled around in my truck (98 Dodge half-ton short bed) because right now I'm in college and its more convenient for me, especially when i don't have +3' of track sticking out of the back of the pickup.
Is it hard to do a setback? If did do the setback with the big wheel kit, would i have to worry about an anti-stab kit and or extroverts?

 

[WyoUltra]

Another reason I'd like to go with the 153 is because it will fit in the back of my truck a whole lot easier (i'm currently in college), but is the set back really hard to do? would i need to get extroverts?

 

[boxster7614]

The set back is not that hard to do just measure an inch back from where your holes are now, mark and drill new holes. The power claw is a 3" pitch track and it tends to like to "stick" to the drivers and you will end up stabbing your track, That's the reason for the Anit-stab kit. I would not run stock polaris rails without a Anti-stab kit.


I tell you what you're not that far from me. If you want to drive down one day you are welcome to ride both my sleds and see for yourself just how they perform and what track length you like. Might be a good idea before you go spending all you money.

 

[WyoUltra]

Haha, don't tease me. I'm actually in Casper, which is about 175 miles Northeast of Evanston. I'll be heading home this weekend to and I'll put my can back on. I have a few buddies who work in a mind, and they put my can in the plasma cutter, gutted it, and welded it back up (I know it's cheap, but hey I'm in college) I'm excited to see and hear the difference (no more sewing machine!) But then this summer I will be putting on a new windshield, gas tank, skis, skid plate, and tail light. Then hopefully tackle the track.
But I'll tell you what, if you're that sure on the 162, I'll take your advice and stretch it. I'd love to go down and ride with you but unfortunately, my funds are running a little low right now. Maybe though there will be enough snow for me to go test my sled this weekend though, that'd be Awesome

So what I'd need to get would be a 163 suspension, gears, anti-stab kit, tunnel extension... anything else?