What track for a switchback

[ljbarryiv]

I am not realy happy with the track that came on 06 swichback 144x15 with 1.25 lugs. It works well on the tail and has good flotation off trail but no bite for climing hills. I would like to pic up a little more off trail performance but still survive some long trail rides and hard pack. I was looking and the camoplast Ripsaw 1.75 but it comes in 146 which is 2 inches longer. How would I make up to 1 inch farther back rear wheels?

 

[pura vida]

that would probably work fine for you but the pitch will be different. 146" track uses 2.86 pitch drivers where the 144" uses 2.52 pitch drivers. so you would have to change your drivers out too. you could just go with the series IV 144X2. that would work very well for you too. probably find a good one used pretty cheap. this is what i'm doing on our switchback

pv

 

[ljbarryiv]

Will the 2 inch be ok on the trail? My problem is I like off trail rideing but here in the north east I am stuck on the trail most of the time. Right now I only have to drop my scrachers down when its almost ice. If i go with a 2 inch lug will the track and my highfax survive? What about the Back Country 144 it fits but the lugs look thin and soft for the trail? How hard is it to change drivers?

 

[600HOBandit]

My wife is running that 144X2" now and works fine. We run the slidekicks ice scratchers just to be safe but never has been a problem.

 

[MARV1]

Run a 2" or the 1.75" from tracksusa which should be a bit stiffer and better offtrail than the Ripsaw. The 1.5" works good too, I trimmed my 2" to 1.5" and it works great.

 

[Mopar21277]

I've got the same sled, similar situation; for next year, I'm probably going with a 1.75" Back Country track. Like they said above, the 1.75" Rip Saw uses 2.86" pitch drivers typical of the RMKs and Assault. The drivers can be bought for about $60 each, but I believe they need to be hydraulically pressed on, so you'd have some labor to deal with too.

 

[pura vida]

you'll be fine with the 2". run your scratchers on a regular baisis, whenever the conditions are marginal, and maybe run a few more boogies. i run a 144X2.5 on my rmk with zero boogies and never have a problem. granted i try not to run trails much if at all but it is unavoidable. i just drop the scratchers whenever i'm trail riding. probably do it more than necessary but i'd rather not have to worry about it.

pv

 

[mountainhorse]

The backcountry 1.75" will be a good choice... About $620 delivered in USA

Other great choices are 144" series IV Polairs and the 15" wide 2" tall ski doo 144 from the 2003 and earlier ZX summits... both are 2.52" pitch, both work well on groomers with scratchers (even better if you run all the bogies on it in marginal conditions)

Lots of 2009 800 shifts out there with tracks changed out.

The same series IV, [Part #5413073] 144 x 2" x 15", 2.52" pitch track came on:
2009 800 & 600 144 shifts
2008 600 144's
2007 600 144's

I believe these are a mixed durometer track, a bit stiffer than the previous years.

Series IV 144" X 2" from a 2006 144" standard (non snowcheck)
PN 5412888

Series IV 144 x 2" from 2003 to 2005 edge chassis
PN 5412242 (superseeded by 5412888)


You can usually find great deals on these used or take offs.

A Camo 9875 Challenger 144" x 15" x 2", 2.52 pitch, fully clipped is $620 (similar to the Ski Doo ZX track)

As for moving your rear axle back...an offset big wheel kit would help you take up some of the extra slack. I don't recommend bigger than an 8" on the stock rear suspension as lager will lift the track off the top idler under full tail compression.

If you still want stellar on trail performance.. the rip saw lite 1.75" is the way to go, but as said above, you will need to switch out drivers or find a complete take out driveshaft from a 2007 and up Dragon RMK

A 144", 2" tall finger track would work well in all but the dryest powder (still better than most 1.75" tracks" ... hook up really well on hardpack and spring conditions.

I'm not sure who makes the non extrovert drivers for the 2.86" pitch tracks on the tubular drivshaft in your Switch

The bulkhead cooler is the same part # on the 600 RMK's and the Switches in 2006, so clearance in that area should not be a problem.

Just my 2 cents

 

[ljbarryiv]

How is pitch mesured on the drivers? I have never remove a drive shaft. I am guessing that the chan case has to bo opend up and the chan and gears removed. I have all bogy wheels and scrachers. Any one runing the camoplast backcountry 1.75?

 

[pura vida]

How is pitch mesured on the drivers? I have never remove a drive shaft. I am guessing that the chan case has to bo opend up and the chan and gears removed. I have all bogy wheels and scrachers. Any one runing the camoplast backcountry 1.75?

yes, the gears and chain need to be removed. you also have to unbolt the other side of the driveshaft. which should be 6 bolts located under the secondary. first remove your rear skid, then the gears and chain, then the other side of the drive shaft. when everything is loose slide the drive shaft away from the chain case until the end of the drive shaft is clear of the chain case. then slide the entire dive shaft back toward the chain case, below the chain case side and it should come out. if you need to change drivers they will have to be pressed on and off.

oh, the pitch is measured (in inches) from center to center of the drive nubs along the outside of the driver. or center to center between two rows on the track.

pv

 

[kooter900]

I have a 06 900 switchback with 6500 miles I put on the camoplast crossover 1.5 track on when i bought the sled new. I like the track I can go werever a 2 inch 144 can go

 

[mtnriderrk]

Hey,
I live in the Northeast also and I have run 2" without a problem. I am running a 1 3/4 on my Renegade and so are my buddies and we have had no issues since we started to ride these tracks in 2004. I replaced my Hyfax at 1600 miles on this sled and 1500 on my last sled. Hope this helps.