I've got an '02 model 700 and am wondering if I can put the same size tire on the front as what's on the rear, since the rims are the same size. I'd probably be looking at wheel spacers for the rear to keep the outside width the same, though, right?

Anyone done this? Will the shocks rub? I could find out for myself, but I've not seen my Sportsman since January 3rd, so I can't remember what it looks like in the critical areas.

Thanks,
SnowDrift

 

i;m assuming you have 25 x 8-12 front & 25 x 11-12 rear stock.
if you are planning on 11" wide on the front she is going to be a hand full. ie sliding.
to tell you the true i have not been able to try my new tires in mud or dirt since it's been snow covered here & frozen ground. i put 27 x 10-12 front & 27 x 12-12 rear mud lights on itp c-series alum. wheels and they really made a difference and are lighter than stock even know there are taller & wider. my 2003 came with rawhides, great tire! first problem i ran into was the front tie-rod end. no clearence with a 10" tire so i'm pretty sure it won't go on with out spacers if you are talking 11" wide front & rear. i went with the high lifter spacers 1",,,, {it's already wide enough}. but i do have to admit i do feel really stable with it being wider. my next problem was clearence in the front wheel well. they would scub under high impacts. not good. bought single rate heavy duty springs for plowing, wow what an improvement for $100. can. no more saggen wagen! plus i added 1/4" aluminum lift between the strut & strut tower. perfect. it performs 100% better on every object since i changed things. mud, logs, hills, bumps, drops, steep down hills the most, no more wedge effect you just gas at the bottom & roll. { hopefully not end over end!} just kidding! well accually i'm not ,filled over a 7' drift straight down, my buddies & i ride pretty hard in extreme areas. the harder the better! anyway my wifes 2003 sp 600 is exactly the same as my 700 now, so i can swap any time between 27" mudlights, 25" rawhides, & 25 " rawhides with carbide steel tips . which are amazing by the way. well all in all a hugh improvement but lost a little top end. let the exhaust work & clutch work begin!!!!! yee haaa!!!
have fun!!!!!! peggysue

 

thanks for the response. Let me know what you find when you're able to see how the fat tires handle in the dirt and mud.

Yes, right now I have stockers on it. It's an '02 with 160 miles on it. The guy I bought it from used it to plow his parking lot at the shop he owns. It's never seen anything other than that. When I went to look at it, I really thought it would have passed for showroom new with the exception of some scuffs on the tops of the fenders. Everything is shiny underneath and looks perfect. I almost don't want to go muddy it up because I've never owned anything new. I realize this isn't new, but it's as close to it as it gets.

SnowDrift