im gonna do maintenance on my 03 honda rancher 350 full time 4x4. ive done maintenance on other quads before, so just need to know what i need. keep in mind that im in central florida and it will be hot and humid in the 90*-100*F range. what oil weight and type do i need? what oil filter do i need? what other oil do i need for the front gearcase? im going to buy as much as i can from an auto parts store rather than a brand name store such as an atv store to keep the prices down. any help is appreciated!

 

hypoid gear oil for the differentials
check your manual but it should take 10w-30 or 10w-40 for the summer, buy oil designed for atv's or wet clutch motorcycles
the oil filter you can get from honda but you can check with an autoparts store, i know k&n makes one for it

 

For that engine, in the south I would run 10W40 for mild weather, and if it is really hot, then a 15 or 20W50. See the oil vs temperature chart, in your owner's manual (Obviously you don't have an owner's manual, right? Get an owner's and a service manual, preferabley before you begin!).

You want to pick an engine oil that is motorcycle specfic and rated API SG/JASO MA (look for those letters on the bottle!). You do not, want to run any "car" oils! Car oils do not have the necessary additive package for your integrated engine/transmission, and they might contain friction modifiers that will make your clutch slip.

You might find an motorcycle oil (might also be called 4-stroke a 4T) at an automotive parts store, but if not, go to a motorcycle dealer and get the right stuff!) I highly recommend Maxima's oils! They have the best additive package, in the business.

Some good reading on oil issue:

http://www.thumperfaq.com/oil.htm


http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0308_oil/index.html


As for the front differential and the rear final drives, you want an 80/85 gear oil that is at least GL4, and it must be hypoid. (Honda's own Shaft Drive Oil, is 80W85. I run Maxima synthetic 75W90.)

As for oil filter, I just get them from the dealer....and do not put the filter in backward!!!!

Probably more than overdue for a valve adjustment, as well!

 

And get a Warn 424 for it (makes it selectable 2wd/4wd). It is the best mod you can make to that machine!

 

And...a fresh spark plug.

 

nah, ive got a owner's manual, just wanted to see what some of yall's opinions were. and ive seen the 424 kit, but im 16 and savin money for a car, and i would want it, but if i wanna slide and have more fun i just hop on the recon, but that rancher is just a tank! ill just run some maxima 10W40 API SG/JASO MA for the engine oil, and some maxima hypoid synthetic 75w90 for the gearcases. thanks alot man! and would these oils be good for my 05 honda recon 250 2x4? and how much oil should i get, for the engine and gearcases?

 

k, saw other thread lol. and some other questions, is there any maintenance i need to do as far as cleaning the oil coolers? and those are oil coolers on the recon and the rancher, right? the radiator looking things. and looks like im gonna get a shopping list going, lol. what spark plugs do you reccomend? and again, i would need to know the amount of oil needed for both quads if you know it. thanks alot again for the help man!

 

The coolers just need a good spary off if they are mudded up. Nothing internal to do on these.

If you have the manuals, the plug recommendations and oil amounts, are in there.

 

k, ill check in there. thanks alot man!