Ve tunnel on a rev...?

[bandqvp]

I just tanked my bulkhead and it took the tunnel with it. So since its time to call the insurance company, I am thinking about going ahead and getting a Van Amburge boondocker tunnel. Has anyone installed one of these on their REV? I am wondering how extensive the plumbing is going to be for the different coolers and heated foot rests. Any help would be great!

 

[maxwellzx]

how are you going to get a bulkhead. cant just buy the bulkhead

 

[drew sattler]

VE

I've only seen one VE tunnel on a rev. Looks pretty cool but the heat exchanger up under is really narrow and small so the cooling of the sled in low snow condition may be an issue. The plumbing didn't look that bad, i'm sure this didn't help much but something to consider. I'm sure your going to pick up a used bulkhead, I would buy a VE tunnel if my rev was totally torn apart. Good luck!

 

[907to406]

I just recently had a VE boondocker tunnel put on my 05 rev and it is by far the best mod I've done to my sled. I have no problems with cooling in low snow conditions. Sled cools great and the plumbing is not very tricky at all. I however did not put the tunnel on myself. I took it to JT at Performance Fix Racing just outside of Bozeman. The swap is extremely extensive and time consuming. The VE tunnel doesn't come with any cut outs or templets so your figuring all the geometry out all over again and I just wasn't comfortable trying to do that, especially without air tools.
The tunnel rides great and combined with the timbersled MTN. tamer rear suspension it is 100 times better ride over stock. The VE tunnel puts the sled higher in the air and gives the sled a great ride and easy to handle in deep snow.

 

[bandqvp]

I need to give VE a call today and find out for sure what the new tunnel would come with, and how far out they are.

907to406- I hadn't really taken the suspension into consideration, but I have a buddy who works at the doo shop helping me with this. I will hit him up about the issue of the suspension. Did your tunnel include drop brackets, mounting plates or anything for the suspension? If this is going to turn into too much of a project, I will just go back with a factory tunnel at this point in the season.

Thanks for the help!

 

[jdog1]

I put a VA tunnel on my sled this summer and it turned out great. I love it. The plumbing is no issue at all, you just run your two hoses that use to go to the rear cooler and hook them to the front of the running boards. All the suspension mounts come with it. The only problems is the tunnel doesnt come with a bulkhead, so if yours is trashed will have to find a new one. Doo doesnt sell just the bulkhead. I powder coated my bulkhead and nun to match my tunnel. I would recommend the bulkhead braces also they add a lot of support.

 

[ReTodd]

Pix?

 

[907to406]

It is no doubt a project and definatly not something I would want to get into at mid season. If your bulkhead is trashed and your sled is insured I would probably just total it and get a new sled. May cost you a little more but you would be getting a new sled or at least the sled of your choice VS. building your sled all over again, plus you'd be bakc on the snow faster than building your sled which could take a few weeks.
The only reason I replaced my tunnel was because my tunnel was trashed but my bulk head was good, as said above skidoo doesn't just sell bulkheads so that could present a problem. I have no regrets doing the van amburg tunnel it performs way better than stock as far as strength and snow evacuation goes plus it looks super trick and my feet stay extremely warm due to the way the my plumbing is.

Just comes down to what you want. If you truelly love your Rev and have a lot into the motor then I would consider rebuilding with a VE tunnel. However if my sled totalled and I had insurance and wanted to get back on the snow ASAP I would buy a new sled...maybe a xp but most likely a M8 HCR...