which are the best ones. im not to worried about wear issues on the front end, its for a low mileage per year ice fishing wheeler, 500x2. had rear chains last season and want front chains this year so need the spacers, there just isnt enough clearance on the front for the chains. also just thinking of lifting the rear of the machine, it sits too low when loaded and pulling for the snow. really would like tracks, but the wallets not ready for that yet. is the rubber down rear lift a good lift

 

Maybe you should think about getting HD springs? I put polaris HD springs on the front of my machine and it lifted the front about an 1.5". You could get rears from epi, or highlifter. Highlifter also sells a front/rear kit with spring compression tool for around $180.00 or so, a far cry from the price of trax. Also they'll keep machine from squating when loaded with your gear when heading out to hard water!

 

i didnt realize the hd springs would give the 1.5 lift, good idea as i put a full size cooler of water and bait up front and the auger, didnt like the idea of grinding up the front end with the rubberdown kit. i think the rear rubber down kit would still be fine.

 

Check out highlifter. They will have everything you need. Probably just need to lift the rear 2" and run the hd springs up front.

 

I have heard from reliable sources that the rear lift on the back puts ALOT of undue stress on our axles (A-arms). If you get the lift, I heard to compensate for the Gorilla axles or could risk breakage.

Again I am NO expert and hope its just not a Highlifter marketing scheme but seems believable. That is what haunts me for addressing my rear setup ($$$$$$$) b/c to do it I need to fork out all the dough to go along with it. I think after hunting season I will just swap out my HD springs in the front. What a PITA!

Cheers,

R'

 

Shouldn't have breakage issues lifting a 500 2". I ran a 2" lift with 589's one size up from stock on my 02 700 with stock axles and didn't have any problems. If you can come up with the $ sometime I would highly recomend the Gorilla axles though. Loved them on my 05 800. Only reason I haven't upgraded my 09 yet is because I have a complete set of extra axles and a-arms for it.

 

Yea there is some that do and many who claimed they break them? Don't know? I can't claim anything! But it seems to be the circulating info. that IF or WHEN you do raise the rear's you should upgrade the axles?

I will make this comment though, many folks from past threads were constantly pushing the clutch kit and springs when upgrading pass 26" stock tires. I am not too sure I really really notice that much difference at 27" and with a SP800. My friend running the same as me down at Hatfield could not tell one bit difference and believed it was a waste of time. Funny, you are not seeing the crazed clutch kit and spring phenonmina (Sp?) like a year or so ago. I am going to pull mine out just not because I don't think it helps or I notice it but more rather I don't need more torq in my rear and giving me any additional thrusting lifting up the front end. I.E. steep hills to boot!

--IMO I just really think it boils down to what kind of riding you do. etc. For me the deep mudd'in is more infrequent so I don't want the spring in anymore. After hunting season I am pulling out the HD springs too.

Regards,

R'

 

Hey Rtick, PM me when you are pulling that stuff off. May be interested!

 

Will do!

 

are you still running your 27" tires or back to stock? if you are still running the 27's and go back to stock w/ that spring in you should see a huge differnce on how it takes off. most people dont even realize how much weight they have on the front on thier wheels w/ the winch, front bumpers and what ever they carry in the storage compartment. all this weight make a big differnce in the front end sag of the stock springs as well in the small power lose(hardly even notice it)you get. all of this willl add up over time. imo