Can the tunnel on the Assault be seperated from the bulkhead ?
Tunnel Question
- Thread starter big guy
- Start date
Yes.
Remove the rear suspension, Chaincase, driveshaft, track, belt, secondary, seat, fuel tank, Console, steering hoop....
Grind off (carefully) all the self-piercing rivets and other rivets and remove the bulkhead.
Remove the rear suspension, Chaincase, driveshaft, track, belt, secondary, seat, fuel tank, Console, steering hoop....
Grind off (carefully) all the self-piercing rivets and other rivets and remove the bulkhead.
What in your opinion is the best aftermarket tunnel
I assume we are talking about a 2009/10 Assault 146?
What is the reason for switching tunnels?
Are you putting a longer track on?
What rider weight?
What type of riding?
What suspension?
What budget?
What is the reason for switching tunnels?
Are you putting a longer track on?
What rider weight?
What type of riding?
What suspension?
What budget?
Tunnel is bent, using stock suspension, rider 280 with gear, stock 146 track, price doesn't matter.Riding style is off trail powder and mountain.
Buying a new, Stock, bulkhead/tunnel from Freeagent on the forums here and add the VanAmburg tunnel sides/boards for a super strong setup... Get it without powdercoating, add it on, powdercoat the whole Bulkhead/tunnel/VE assembly after you install it. This will shed snow and give you a custom look.
The price of the stock Chassis assembly (Bulkhead mated to tunnel) and VE sides together would be less than an aftermarket tunnel and give you excellent snow shedding on the running boards. It will also make the tunnel much stronger and give you a custom look. Powder coated tunnels don't have snow stick to them or ice build up in funny places.
VE can make the running boards in wide width or more narrow stock width.
Polaris Parts does not sell the tunnel seperately from the bulhead on the IQ-RMKs/Assaults. It is sold as a "Chassis Assembly" (#4 in the diagram, Part number 1016423-309Asm., Chassis, 146 Inch 2009 MY) I believe that it includes #1, #3, #11 & #12. The 2009 and 2010 chassis are different in that the muffler mount and PTO front motor mount are different. The part number for the 2010 Chassis assembly is 1017449-309.
The new PRO chassis Assaults/RMK's have tunnels and bulkheads sold as seperate pieces and are glued/bolted together for easy service... (I know it doesn't help you out though)
You could even have the tunnel/bulkhead shipped to VE an have them install the sides and powdercoat the entire assembly.
Otherwise...
Check out the Van Amburg (VE) XP tunnel on Winters sled..
http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216415
The full length coolers make the plumbing very easy to do compared to having to route coolant thru the running board edges. I also like the super clean "tough" look without the standard VE "luggage rack" look. Bags from SPG and Gas racks from Trail Tanks will still fit this design.
Pics of Super Dave3 's install on his 09 T-Dragon
The price of the stock Chassis assembly (Bulkhead mated to tunnel) and VE sides together would be less than an aftermarket tunnel and give you excellent snow shedding on the running boards. It will also make the tunnel much stronger and give you a custom look. Powder coated tunnels don't have snow stick to them or ice build up in funny places.
VE can make the running boards in wide width or more narrow stock width.
Polaris Parts does not sell the tunnel seperately from the bulhead on the IQ-RMKs/Assaults. It is sold as a "Chassis Assembly" (#4 in the diagram, Part number 1016423-309Asm., Chassis, 146 Inch 2009 MY) I believe that it includes #1, #3, #11 & #12. The 2009 and 2010 chassis are different in that the muffler mount and PTO front motor mount are different. The part number for the 2010 Chassis assembly is 1017449-309.
The new PRO chassis Assaults/RMK's have tunnels and bulkheads sold as seperate pieces and are glued/bolted together for easy service... (I know it doesn't help you out though)
You could even have the tunnel/bulkhead shipped to VE an have them install the sides and powdercoat the entire assembly.
Otherwise...
Check out the Van Amburg (VE) XP tunnel on Winters sled..
http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216415
The full length coolers make the plumbing very easy to do compared to having to route coolant thru the running board edges. I also like the super clean "tough" look without the standard VE "luggage rack" look. Bags from SPG and Gas racks from Trail Tanks will still fit this design.
Pics of Super Dave3 's install on his 09 T-Dragon
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"price doesn't matter"
Does performance and durability?
Actually do yourself a monster favor both financially and performance wise. Buy a stock IA RAW chassis tunnel...and assemble it to your bulkhead.... or shop for a dummy that went before you and changed his for appearance and buy that complete assembly. Add Heavy Duty Assault Better Boards and the all new 66% stronger Chromoly Better Bars to this package and have the ultimate in performance and strength.
Do your research on foot board yield rates (that is where stuff bends and doesn't come back). Also know this...we have done extensive in field deep snow performance testing and the conclusion is that in conditions where your track could not completely float the vehicle adding a dragging surface KILLS YOUR DEEP SNOW PERFORMANCE. The narrower your running boards are the better, and the further back you take the platform, the worse they performed. All associated directly with "DRAG". Obviously you have to have something to stand on so a balance has to be struck. Stock width works best of all the options you can have.
Also note that the another interesting benefit of Better Boards and Better Bars on this chassis reduces flex throughout the chassis and the results are a quicker handling vehicle. Feels equal to what Polaris is stating as a 300% stiffer chassis in the 2011 PRO when ridden simultaniously but does not have the board flex felt in the PRO's all aluminum running board assembly.
Does performance and durability?
Actually do yourself a monster favor both financially and performance wise. Buy a stock IA RAW chassis tunnel...and assemble it to your bulkhead.... or shop for a dummy that went before you and changed his for appearance and buy that complete assembly. Add Heavy Duty Assault Better Boards and the all new 66% stronger Chromoly Better Bars to this package and have the ultimate in performance and strength.
Do your research on foot board yield rates (that is where stuff bends and doesn't come back). Also know this...we have done extensive in field deep snow performance testing and the conclusion is that in conditions where your track could not completely float the vehicle adding a dragging surface KILLS YOUR DEEP SNOW PERFORMANCE. The narrower your running boards are the better, and the further back you take the platform, the worse they performed. All associated directly with "DRAG". Obviously you have to have something to stand on so a balance has to be struck. Stock width works best of all the options you can have.
Also note that the another interesting benefit of Better Boards and Better Bars on this chassis reduces flex throughout the chassis and the results are a quicker handling vehicle. Feels equal to what Polaris is stating as a 300% stiffer chassis in the 2011 PRO when ridden simultaniously but does not have the board flex felt in the PRO's all aluminum running board assembly.
Rob,
Are you making the Better bars for the Assault 146"? In stock?
What thickness's do you offer the Better boards in for the 146" and for the 155/163?
How bout some pix of the Assault with the new bars/boards?
Big Guy... Rob (AKA F-Bomb....Better-Boards founder) builds very high quality parts and puts a lot of effort into them with good coatings and great customer service. If he is doing these for the Assault... I'd definately look into Better boards/bars for the stock Chassis assy.
Heck... see if you can get him to install them both and powdercoat the entire chassis after the install of the Board inserts... his powdercoating process is one of the most thorough out there.
Make sure you dont skimp on the rivets and use all the ones provided in the kit.
Good luck with your re-build!!
Are you making the Better bars for the Assault 146"? In stock?
What thickness's do you offer the Better boards in for the 146" and for the 155/163?
How bout some pix of the Assault with the new bars/boards?
Big Guy... Rob (AKA F-Bomb....Better-Boards founder) builds very high quality parts and puts a lot of effort into them with good coatings and great customer service. If he is doing these for the Assault... I'd definately look into Better boards/bars for the stock Chassis assy.
Heck... see if you can get him to install them both and powdercoat the entire chassis after the install of the Board inserts... his powdercoating process is one of the most thorough out there.
Make sure you dont skimp on the rivets and use all the ones provided in the kit.
Good luck with your re-build!!
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Would love to be just able to drop her off and have it done but I am Thousands of miles away, the better boards and better bar will be the way I will go , now that I know the tunnel and bulkhead can be seperated I know what I will be doing, Rob do you ship to Canada and if so how.
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