Is it worth the extra 1000$ bucks to get the Rancher AT with the 400 engine, auto/manual ES transmission and 2wd/4wd over the Rancher Es with the 350, ES transmission and all-time 4wd? It is essentially the same chassis. Should I spend the extra money?

 

I really like the Tranmission on the Rancher AT and the Rubicon. The cool thing with the Rancher AT is that it gives the rider the ability to manually shift gears as if it were an ES equipped quad. In addition, it can be an automatic with the switch of a dial. You also get 50 extra cc to boot.

Is it worth an extra $1000? Maybe. It's totally your call.

 

Save your money and get the 420 Rancher. It should be out in a month and is less than the 400 AT. It is a better package also. Front disc brakes, bigger motor, fuel injection, bigger seat, selectable 4wd.
It will smoke either one of the current ones.

 

That's an idea. Does it really have selectable 4wd? I could not find that on the Honda site. How do you shift? I like the idea of getting a bit more pep and a new design.

 

Look at the gallery pictures on the honda site. The select **** is just to the left of the handle bars on the plastics. Just like on the AT. I'm waiting for a TRX420 also.

 

Be patient and wait to see what the TRX420 is all about...........

Personally, I like a manual transmission so the AT has never been a possible choice.

 

Does the TRX420 have a manual transmission? Is it ES or is it a toe shift?

 

both

 

I think that is the wheeler I should get.

 

Honda manual transmissions are pretty much bulletproof, with a very very long and excellent track record! Thankfully, the Rancher has no low range transfer case, but just a very low 1st granny gear. This helps keep things light.

The Rancher can be purchased with either a foot shifter (autoclutch), or remote button controlled ES shifting for an additional $200. Note that the ES system has had its share of problems, and some of the parts are currently being recalled and replaced. My thought is that if you don't stray to far from home, the ES might be ok. But if you do long cross-country rides where you are 80 miles from your truck, stick with your old reliable foot!