Trying to get a 144, bunch of questions

[d_hughes_09]

Hey guys, new to the site. I live in northern Minnesota and have ridden a '00 XC 700 45th anniversary the past few years on the trails and ditches here. This winter over break I'm hoping to go with a few buddies out to Wyoming and do some back country riding. This is where my predicament starts. I'm looking to get something 144"+ on this sled as cheap as possible. The 45th anniversary sled has the xtra-12 which is where I'm hitting walls. I haven't been able to find much information on if it is just possible to find rail extensions for this skid or if I am going to have to swap in a whole different skid. From what I could tell all tracksUSA carries for the xtra-12 is a 121-136 extension which I believe isn't going to be quite enough length according to the guys I'm going with.

I don't have a whole lot of experience with rear suspensions, swapping skids, etc. If I have to swap a skid I figured I might as well find a complete 144 or 151 edge skid and throw that in. From what I've found this isn't a terribly difficult swap into the gen II chassis but I would like some confirmation and reassurance as to how difficult it actually is and what is needed to complete this swap. I'm a junior in a pretty thorough mechanical engineering program and have access to mills etc for fabrication and also have a nice mig welder at my house accessible for me to use.

Last question I had is how big of a track lug can we fit underneath these. I would like to be able to fit a 2" paddle underneath it.

 

[treemagnet03]

Check with mountain machines performance about the extensions. They may have them or be able to do some one-offs for the 144. They were great to work with when I got a set for my EDGE from them several years ago. You really shouldn't go any longer without going to solid rails. They start bending and twisting....

The other question is the xtra 12. That thing is really heavy, and probably not that great in the powder. It may be better to find an old Xtra10 or EDGE 144 skid from an old RMK. Might have to adjust the drop plates, but it won't cost that much (more than a set of extensions, but better in the powder for certain). And if you start going that route, you could always go for the 151 model as well...

Don't forget to do something about the useless running board traction (add a set of better boards) and get some risers or you will be slipping everywhere with a miserable backache....

Have fun with the project!

-T

 

[d_hughes_09]

Yeah I didn't think the xtra 12 was very good for anything except powder riding. So I'm at the point of probably looking for a different skid. I'm guessing looking for an xtra 10 would be more cost effictive, but is the edge worth the difference if its more expensive. Also, which would take less work to install?

 

[slash]

Yeah I didn't think the xtra 12 was very good for anything except powder riding. So I'm at the point of probably looking for a different skid. I'm guessing looking for an xtra 10 would be more cost effictive, but is the edge worth the difference if its more expensive. Also, which would take less work to install?

Find a 144 or a 151 edge skid and track and bolt it in its that EASY ...then gear down a little and go..

 

[the fix-it guy]

A different skid is the way to go. They are all about the same for difficulty in swapping. Just need to check distances for mounting holes. You will want a tunnel extension slp has them for that sled. A 2" paddle will fit. You will want to gear it down also.

 

[treemagnet03]

should note that if they were running the tunnel coolers (think they were) on that model, you need to get a notched track, or spend a night cutting the grooves yourself...not a fun task. Camoplast sells one...Kimpex might as well. And the EDGE is better, but you probably can get the Xtra 10 cheaper...just a decision you have to make!

Good luck!

 

[d_hughes_09]

Yeah it does have tunnel coolers so I figured I'd have to do that. I know it sucks but I wouldn't mind having to cut the notches. So all I should need to do to throw an edge in is check mounting distances and make sure they correct and move them if needed?

All to do now is find a skid, track, tunnel extension, and a I should be good. What about skis? Are they a necessity for powder or will stock be fine?

 

[treemagnet03]

ummm, you can go to ride with the skis you have now (stock I am assuming), but like was the case on trail, there are better skis out there that will make the ride more fun. I have loved the Polaris Gripper ski and the C&A Pro Razr ski, but everyone will have an opinion on this. My take on that? Put the skid together, go out, ride it, if you find it darting all over, get some new skis before round 2.

Have fun

-T

 

[d_hughes_09]

Thanks, just what I wanted to hear. I'm hoping to find a skid and start putting it together soon and hopefully get a trip to the UP in to find some sort of powder to test it out before we head to Togwotee the first week in january.

 

[xc_rider08]

sounds like a fun project u got going on.


here is what i did.. had a 99xc 600 121. decided i need to go a lil bigger.

i found a guy on here selling an 99 rmk suspension (xtra 10) that was a 136 but had extension welded to a 141".

so the project started. i decided that i didnt want to notch the track.. (its a 2")

i ended up swtiching from 9tooth drivers to 7tooth... i also geard down to 20/41 (i believe, cnt remember right now) the top end isnt there anymore.. but lots of low end grunt. took it to radar run , and could still get 72mph.. not to bad i didnt think.

so now that i got this 136 suspenion. the mountain holes are different from the 121. i ended up moving the front hole down and back, so that the 2" paddle will clear.. built my own custom drop brackets for the rear.

i have a ton of pics from when i did this build.. so if u got any questions u can send me a pm or ask me.. i prolly got pics to help u out..

i have loved every dollar i spent on my sled for the extension.. makes a world of difference...

here of some pics of the extension

front mounting hole moved

costume drop brackets

track clearance

track clearence b4 i dropped it down (this is with the 7tooth drivers. the 2" wouldnt cleare the front cooler without goign to smaller drivers.)

some pics after the project is done and riding pics/vids

not stuck (stopped for a pic)

still manage to get stuck pretty good. lol

couple vids
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s7De94CTKs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIrsCc0ewfE

helmet cam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OekkeXpsy1E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3adbfZCNeLM

 

[xrated]

^^^ wouldn't the clearance in the tunnel have more to do with the drivers then dropping the front mounts on the skid?

 

[xc_rider08]

^^^ wouldn't the clearance in the tunnel have more to do with the drivers then dropping the front mounts on the skid?

thats what we though also.. but i tried bolting it up as u can see with the pics that, even with the 7 tooth drivers it was stil hitting.. plus the suspensions front rail tips didnt have much room between the drivers and the tips.

not a very good pic.. i thought i had better, but u can kinda tell

 

[xrated]

thats what we though also.. but i tried bolting it up as u can see with the pics that, even with the 7 tooth drivers it was stil hitting.. plus the suspensions front rail tips didnt have much room between the drivers and the tips.

not a very good pic.. i thought i had better, but u can kinda tell

How was clearance on the front coolers?

I finally have a track for my sled so I will be bolting up soon. I keep being told with 8 tooths a 2" will clear up front, but I do wonder about the tunnel coolers.

I know you've said before, but what skid did you throw in?

 

[VTMTcowboy]

I also had to drop down to 7 tooth drivers on my 99 700 to get a 2" track to clear up front. People told me 8 tooth drivers when I was doing my extension, but because I am not worried about top speed I opted for the 7 tooth to be safe. I'd rather have my sled be like a tractor in the pow than be able to run across a flat at 90 mph. Just my .02. Have fun with the build, you will learn a lot for sure!

 

[xc_rider08]

How was clearance on the front coolers?

I finally have a track for my sled so I will be bolting up soon. I keep being told with 8 tooths a 2" will clear up front, but I do wonder about the tunnel coolers.

I know you've said before, but what skid did you throw in?

the clearance wasnt like i watned.. it was really close to the front of the tunnel so thats why i dropped the front mounting bolt and moved the skid back about an 1".

i know that prolly wasnt the right away and messes up track attack angle.. but we figured out and last year it did awesome.. no trenching...


i thru in a 99 rmk 136 xtra-10 suspension

 

[xrated]

the clearance wasnt like i watned.. it was really close to the front of the tunnel so thats why i dropped the front mounting bolt and moved the skid back about an 1".

i know that prolly wasnt the right away and messes up track attack angle.. but we figured out and last year it did awesome.. no trenching...


i thru in a 99 rmk 136 xtra-10 suspension

So in looking at your pics, it looks like what under 1/2" of clearance on the coolers before the drop? I'm not opposed to having to do it, but if it will clear without it I'd rather not take a chance on screwing something else up.

 

[xc_rider08]

So in looking at your pics, it looks like what under 1/2" of clearance on the coolers before the drop? I'm not opposed to having to do it, but if it will clear without it I'd rather not take a chance on screwing something else up.

i can get the exact measurement tomorrow for u.