OK I'm new here and i tried the search and it wont bring up anything so I'm posting. Anyway I have the above mentioned and I need new rear shocks for it "the bushings are gone" but they changed the shocks mid year 3/1/01 to be exact and i don't know and cant find what changed. So I cant figure out if mine was built before or after that date. That's my question how can i find out when mine was made? any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm going hog hunting and need them bad.
Thanks Jason

 

no body has any ideas?

 

does anyone know the shock lengths before and after because they look the same?

 

Hey bud,

My '01 has the build date listed on a sticker on the front plastic just beneath the headlight pod. Have you looked there? May have worn off over time...

The other place they marked the 01 VIN was on the frame just below the oil tank. I don't know if that will do you any good, but you may be able to contact a Polaris dealer and give them the VIN to see if they can help fiqure out the month of build.

I'm looking all over my Clymer manual, and I can't find the shock lenght in there anywhere.

 

Thanks Jocko ill have to check for the sticker but didn't notice it hopefully its there. This has been driving me crazy.

 

its in the front right wheel well, on the radiator shroud.

 

Thanks mcderry I will have to look when i get home, I'm at work right now. Thanks guys for the replies.

 

The front suspension travel of the Sportsman changed to a taller 8.2" from 6.7" in 2005 but the rear suspension remained unchanged at 9.5" since 1996. Any Sportsman shock of any year should work.

The only rear end change was Polaris went from tubular rear A-Ams to Square Tube A-Arms but the lay out stayed the same.

Do you need a Shock ? or just a heavier spring?

 

I need just the shock, I guess, since I can't find the bushings that go in them, top and bottom. That's what went out on them the shocks are fine other wise as far as I can tell no leaks or anything. If you look at the parts list it has a diff part number for 3/1/01 before and after that date.

 

Could you give the vin # to a Polaris dealer to get the mfg. date?