Hey everyone,

I just pick up my new Cat 400 4x4 a week ago Tuesday. I like it but it digs the lawn up alot. With the all-time 4x4. But to fix this my dealer said that I can get an in out 4x4 switch for it. I was woundering if anyone knew how these things work? Other than the all-time 4x4, which I can live with, I love the machine.

If any one can reply
THANKS

 

I have heard the rumors of a 2/4 wheel drive selectable front diff for the 400, the only way to do it would be to put a 500 front diff under it and by the time you do that you might as well buy a 500.One Acat rep told me the reason it comes full time is there would be no reason to buy a 500 if the 400 had a selectable front end.I just traded a 500 auto for a 400..I prefer a "sealed" machine instead one one with "snorkels" etc..
Formerly OTTO..now shifting again

 

Anymore info on the 400 4x4 would be nice. Was thinking of getting one but would like more info from guys riding them. How is the power as compared to other 400 models from other companies? I like the price I say at a local dealer and was really looking at getting one. I really would like 2/4 setup so I don't have to be in 4wd all the time. How is the steering like that (hard and about the same as a 2wd.)

 

bs02
the 400 is a good machine but i would like to meet this dealer/magician. unless you change the front differential or disconnect the front drive shaft, you can't make that quad selectable. my autocat tears up the lawn in 2wd, i just stay off it. makes for less work and irritation. have fun and ride safe.....

 

Our 400 has plenty of power but that is all relative to who you are and what you like or need. Compared to my 500 is is just as fast at top speed but off a bit in the acceleration department. I have two buddies with a polarias expedition 325 that my 400 cat eats alive and the other guy has a Kodiak that will beat it by a bit. The 4wd on my cat is way better than the yamaha and the fact that it is all time 4wd helps with the intial "don't get stuck" idea of 4 wheeling. The steering is actaul very light. It is lighter in 4wd than the 2wd of my 500 manual cat. I haven't seen a need for 2wd unless you just want to do power slides and spin the tires alot uphill. One thing that has helped the 400 over some of the quads I ride with is the ground clearance of 9 inches. We follow each other through some serious ruts and I always end up last because my cats can make it through without dragging as badly or not at all. Do I get stuck? Ask texascat how bad I can get stuck. He saw first hand the stuff I ride in. yes I do get stuck. So far the only gripe I have is the brakes wear out fast in the mud/sand and the oil filter costs about $12 down here in Texas. I don't think you will be disappointed but that is just my opinion on the cats. Hope you enjoy whatever you buy!

Dakota R/T

 

I purchaed a 01' 400 4x4 last nov. I did consider the 500 but the 400 won out. The steering on the 400 is easy, except on pavement. The 400 4x4 won't spin the tires from a dead stop if that needs to be a consideration. Whereas I would have to guess the 500 would have no problem in 2 wheel drive throwing some dirt. But then again having additional cables and mechanical parts is just one more thing that could go wrong. I think that the 400 also gets better mileage than the 500 i'm getting just over 20 mpg. see ya!!

 

Good info on the 400 4wd. Keep it coming so I can learn some more about the machine.

How does it stack up against other 400's you guys ride with (like Yamaha Kodiak, Polaris SPortsman, and some Honda 4wds) in any area that you might have come across. Could be speed, climbing, overal handling etc.

Thanks again

 

bs02,

Good to see a fellow WNY online.

It sounds like you made a great choice - for the money - on the 400 4x4. I just picked mine up last Friday, not too much seat time yet, but I like what I have seen so far. The stearing is awsome for a full time 4x4.

According to my local dealer, who called the rep for AC to verify, said the same thing that everyone else is saying - that the front diff. is different and would require to be changed for selectable 2x4/4x4.

Enjoy the new Cat.

GO SABRES!!!!!!!!

 

It sounds like you may want a sportier quad. You can check out my web site and see some pictiures of the 400 and 500 cat along with a couple of polaris machines I ride with. Jumps, Mud, and climbing. The 400 is very sure footed because my mom and dad ride them up some stuff that is fairly nasty when wet and slippery. I wouldn't let them do it if it were not safe. The front end is heavier than most which helps in the uphill stability department. I've never felt a tippy feeling except at very high speeds in corners with bumps and off camber banking. I felt tippy on my friends polaris expedition and magnum but those machines like to slide through that stuff and then grap and slide and glab and slide. It's a weird feeling. The compression braking is very good, my mom just crawls down. The liquid cooling really helps in my line of work with my cats, I spend a ton of time at idle or slow pulling. Both cats eat it up. You could save some weight with and air cooled quad if you want some more sport feel but if you plan to work it hard or do lots of slow crawling and mudding liquid cooling is the way to go. Hope this helps some.

Dakota R/T

 

Picked mine up on the 12th. I just crossed the 100mile marker. the 4 wheel drive works great though I haven't used it in super deep mud. Thats after the maintence check. When I was in some snow I noticed that all 4 tires did spin though. Steering is suprisingly easy. I also looked at the big bear but the steering on that is much tougher than the cat. It is tippy going down a roadway around a corner kind of fast just have to lean into it. The suspension is great. I haven't yet felt uneasy on it going up hills or through ruts. I think it handles great. I hope you have as much fun it as I do. good Luck

tbstone
01 400 4x4
88 honda trx125
Deciding what is the first mod