I was wondering if anyone has had problems installing a warn winch on one of thier kodiaks and what maintainece do kodiaks need other than the oil and air filter change. What mud tires would run good and not weigh too much, I need to replace the stock ones, they arent doing it

thank

 

I installed a warn 2500 on mine, and it was fairly easy. What else to do besides change the oil: Check differentials, check anti-freeze, clean air filter, and basically go around the whole thing looking for anything loose or out of the ordinary.

 

KingKodiak4X4,
If your planning to use your Kodiak in the mud, plan on buying lots of brake pads. I love my Kodiak and wouldn't part with it for anything, but my first set of brake pads (both fronts and rear) lasted aboyt 400-500 miles. I installed an hour meter when I replaced the original pads and the meter is now registering about 20 hours (maybe 200 miles) and the rears need replacing again. I haven't checked the fronts, but they're probable shot. I'm still using OEM Yamaha and they seem to be pretty metalic and don't want to use a pad that will wear the rotors. It's $90 worth of parts but they're easy to replace. Other than the brake wear, my Red 2000 is super and it's reset the clock on this 54 old body of mine.

 

Once your OEM brake pads wear out replace them with EBC, they will last. As for tires, I have 26-12X12 rear and 26-9X12 front Bear Claws. They work pretty nice all around, EG, mud, snow, rocks, and they hook up nice on hard pack. Your manual pretty much sums up all you regular maintenance. BTW, i had no probs installing my WARN 2000lbs winch, the instructions are pretty clear. The only thing i did different is mount the solenoid under the left front fender behind that plastic sheild, lot's of room and stays clean. I also put a seperate toggle switch for the solenoid so it doesn't come on with just the key. The last thing you need is a broken solenoid when your stuck alone in the woods

Blue 2000 Kodiak
http://photos.yahoo.com/y2kerplunk

 

Maintenance is pretty easy as stated in the above posts. My Warn 2500 was no problem. My Solenoid is in a small metal box on the rear frame rail.
I have the OE Size Kenda Bear Claws. I really am glad I chose them. I abuse them and they are holding up very well. They are 4 Ply rated so the air needs to be at a low 3.5 for comfort. When running low air in tires I have found that one really has to monitor them often for the minor variances that can be a pain. I have found a sealant @ http://www.multi-seal.com/ that works really well. Now every time I check my tires they are all the same. If you get the specialty application paddle or tall lugged tires just for mud you will have heavy tires and rough handling.
My original brakes are holding up very well. I avoid the deepest mud if possible but will not turn back because of it.
Some common things to check are the belt housing cooling duct connections. Some have shipped loose letting water in. Also, sooner than later most of the front shocks lower mounting systems squeak. Just loosen the nut "1" flat and that is over with.

 

I saw a blue Kodiak ultramatic at a fair...a dealer was showing. I don't think the americans can get a blue Kodiak...anyways it was very nice. You can also get a blue Grizzly wich I didn't know you could get. I was talking to the guys there about the quads and asking different questions...and I swear the guy was so anxious to sell me one...lol

Sorry I was a bit off topic.