Taller than stock ride height discussion

[Danbot]

I have noticed over the last couple years, that most nicely modded 900's seem to sit very high up, the front suspension looks jacked as if there is almost no sag whatsoever.
After light discussion with a few friends in here it sounds like sometimes this can be credited to the design of aftermarket a-arms and / or shocks.
I think that this:
1- looks good
2- offers more ground clearance

So, I am considering trying a setup like this to see what it feels like like on my 900. My first concern is that I will have to compensate in the skid for the taller front end.

As it sits now, if I add ski pressure with the ski shock preload, the heavy steering and diving I fought to get rid of returns.
In my minds eye the solution would be to let out the limiter straps and add some preload to the front track shock. This should maintain my ski pressure balance while jacking up the front right?

Secondly, a question for those of you who have run a tall ride height: What kind of handling characteristics come out of this?
I would guess that it's going to feel more top heavy, and since the COG has been raised, it will be less forgiving over rough terrain.

Here`s my setup, in case it becomes relevant in this discussion:
06 Switchback
Stock Switchback stance a-arms and spindles on top of Grippers
Fox Zero Pro`s all around
Stock ski springs (set about half way down the threads)
225lb front track spring (set about half way down the threads)
.375 torsion springs (softest setting on the block)
Limiter straps in the middle hole

Any insight is appreciated, what are your thoughts guys
Dan

 

[rmk2112]

I have Zero Pro's almost all around.
Not sure if this helps, but here's my set up:

Front Suspension: Stock A-arms and spindles
Front Shocks: 1 1/4" of preload on a 110# coil over spring, (Had the 110# put in instead of the 100# to help compensate for the removal of sway bar).
Front Track Shock: RydeFX w/ 225# spring on stock setting, mounted in up position.
Limiter Straps: Let out to low position.
Rear Shock: Fox Zero Pro.
Torsion Springs: .359/47 set to soft setting, (I'm 220# fully geared up). The harder angle gave me a great ride height and a "not too stiff but stiff enough" ride
Suspension Mod: Curt @ Fastrax suggests that you straighten the scissor a bit so it can achieve its full travel. Look on your sled where the scissor is bolted to the rail, measure 5/8" back and drill holes on each side. Move the scissor mounting point to there, when you do you will notice that it is more perpendicular with the rail AND its closer to its stops when its starting its travel.

 

[POLZIN]

First do the " Nicely modded 9s "you refer to have 09 plastics ? That makes it appear to have more ride height but there is actually just less in the way. This is kinda why I want an 09 front besides the weight savings

Second I dont know what changes can be made to affect ride height in a substantial way accept installing ARSFX a arms and even at that I am not sure it changes much other than the design of the arm provides more ground clearance.

Letting the limiter strap out will decrease steering effort but will make it push through the corners

I do believe increasing preload in the front track shock will make it trench worse ( at least on a holz skid)


I may be all screwed up but I like the way my sled rides right now . I have a holz float skid With my limiters all the way out 90 0r 95 psi in my FTS ( stiff like 225" spring ) its also pretty stiff in the back . I am a big guy and I put the hurt on suspension. In the front I have no sway bar WE coilover clickers ( preload and dampnig increased ) prototype Co-Be spindles and powder pro skis. This is definetly not a trail set up but it works good in the deep stuff

That is my .02 should be an interesting topic.

 

[Danbot]

I suppose it could be a visual thing like you mention POLIZHHUNTER because of factors like 09 front plastic, and aftermarket arms.
It just looks like some of the more modded 9`s sit alot higher up front to me.

Thanks for sharing your setup rmk2112, I have heard about the scissor mount mod before, interesting.
From the looks of your pics, I am running about the same front ride height as you though.

 

[Danbot]

I`m reading through the 05 deep snow shop manual, and the 06 owners manual, and I cannot find a reference to setting front suspension sag or a baseline for ride height.
It does mention the ski shock preload in terms of ski to ground pressure, but this is all affected by skid setup as well.

 

[94fordguy]

I`m reading through the 05 deep snow shop manual, and the 06 owners manual, and I cannot find a reference to setting front suspension sag or a baseline for ride height.
It does mention the ski shock preload in terms of ski to ground pressure, but this is all affected by skid setup as well.

Typically speaking, your going to set your front spring pre-load to suit how you want the front end of the sled to handle rather than setting a ride height, a softer ride easier to lay over would have less pre-load, and the opposite if you want a more stable feel. The one thing I notice when looking from my sled to my buddies, is that his front bumper sits about 2" higher than mine due to the fact he has Zero Pros off of an M-1000... they are about a half inch longer and have a stiffer spring than what came on our sleds stock and his sled looks like it's "jacked up" now when siting next to mine.

 

[Danbot]

Right on, thanks Seth. How does your friends sled handle like that? Man I would have painted those springs! lol

 

[rmk2112]

I talked with another guy, (can't remember who), that said that he was running Zero Pro's off a Cat as well. They were 17 1/2" C to C.
I can see how it would raise overall height, but in doing so you are also decreasing the ski stance width and raising the entire COG of the sled.

 

[94fordguy]

Right on, thanks Seth. How does your friends sled handle like that? Man I would have painted those springs! lol

It actually handles very well, better on the trail than mine actually considering even though he is higher, he is set stiffer... mine are super soft so my sled really wants to roll in the corners by comparison. Off trail handling between our sleds is very similar.... no sway bars on either. I would still say that mine is tippier due to the softer spring setting, but they are pretty close all in all. Personally, I like the softer setting on mine cause it is that much easier to lay over while carving, but again they are very very close.

Nice to ride with another 900 that is also a 166 and is almost identical... lotsa fun playing around, lol

Ya, he's been meaning to have them powder coated black, just hasn't gotten around to it, and when your riding the sled, you dont see them, haha