Oh ya... you guys ever hear of getting the clutch spring changed for elevation? The dealer told me that because of the loss of HP at our elevations it is a good idea to change the clutch a bit. The way he described it made sense to me, but Im not an expert. You guys ever hear of this? Thanks

 

As far as I have been able to find out there are no differen springs for a manual 400 cat. Would be nice but like I say, I live at sea level. less than 150 feet and ride to 6 to 7,000 feet every year several times. So a clutch spring change wouldn't make much sense.

 

I thought the width difference was in the fender flairs, because both machines have the same front suspension. I have never heard from anyone who owns one that when taking out heavy loads the was a handling problem. The locker is well worth it if you travel nasty country.

 

I have ridden both an ACT and I own an FIS machine. I could not tell the difference in ride comfort. I also did not notice the extra width of the machines. The only thing I did notice was the ground clearence. I kept smashing that darn rear axle into everything going down a rocky beach.

I used a 400ACT and my 400FIS to haul building materials (8ft 2x6's and gear) about 25miles down a roacky beach and up some hills on a trail. All I can say is go with ground clearence. Both machines had about the same weight (approx 50 - 8ft 2x6 plus gear) and the ACT could not go over the same rocks the FIS was.

My preference would be to go with ground clearence, Auto or Manual tranny is your choice, Adjust the shocks to your liking, and replace the stock tires with a good 6-ply tire.

SJ

 

Swampy, are you suggesting changing the stock radials for 6-ply because of strength? Or why? Other than the less-than-super-agressive tread pattern of the Carlisle Badlands, I like the ride the radials give, and in my area mud is of absolutely no concern.

 

Another thing to take a look at is the reliability of the ACT, I see lots of points on here for IRS, nothing about broken axles though. The ACT speaks for itself, ever since its' introduction it has been bulletproof, with virtually no maintenance. You have 1 less CV to worry about as well. As for dragging it on rocks, that's why there's a skid plate under it, I'd rather drag that than an A arm any day. I guess it's all preference, I'm just giving an opinion. Diff lock to me isn't worth the money, and it's not as effective as people would lead you to believe. If you're in that deep, 1 more tire is probably not going to have the traction required to pull 700 pounds of bike up to harder ground, start reaching for the winch cable...

 

I think the locking diff really comes into play if one of your front wheels is off the ground (which probably happens more than we think), and the open diff lets the free wheel do the spinning. This is aggravating at best, possibly dangerous at worst. I'd love to have a locking diff but I'm not buying a new machine just to get it. I'll live with my 'old' 04 model.

 

If your rear axle is being lifted by an obstruction the at least one of the tires has to come off the ground. Not a good deal when trying to climb a slick or steep hill. Actually the ACT has the same maintenance requirements as an IRS as CV joints really don't need lubing during normal life expectancy. You have to change the lube in the ACT axle the same as the IRS needs to change the diff lube. The differential lock can be a life saver in a real tractionless situation, I know as I've used it already. Was stopped and stuck on a snowy and muddy hill side as the 4X4 wouldn't go any farther. I flipped the locker on and drove on up the hill. Way better than trying to turn around or backing down. The locker does make a major difference. It's like having 2 wheel drive plus 3 wheel drive (no locker) and real 4 wheel drive with the locker.

 

Bear, I guess no matter what I scribe down here, you're going to have an answer to counteract it. we can argue back and forth about all the conditions we "could" encounter in this big wide world. Opinions are just that, opinions. I personally know people that have had the ACT for a number of years, and never so much as looked at it the entire time. The machine I'm referring to is a '96 Bearcat 454, that has seen more abuse in its short life than your machine will see before you die. That bike is the sole reason I bought AC, and that rear end in particular.
I still don't buy into the locker theory, I have seen a 650 stuck with the locker engaged and going nowhere, and I drove past him. It's all in the tires, the provide the grip, not the locker. So I may have to winch out sooner than you, no biggie, gives me time to think about where I am and if I should be there.
In closing, the beauty of the ACT is that it keeps the tires on the ground when going over obstructions. Adjust the springs, and it'll do just as good as an IRS. I see you own a 400i with the locker, and like your machine, that's apparent. I guess we both like them equally, and in touting the virtues of each we're getting nowhere. I say we're at a draw.

 

The clutch spring would be for the CVT automatic transmissions and not the manual.