i went looking at the 500 a few days ago. right next to it was a 300. i scoped out the front diff
on both...they looked strangely similar. I've currently a '00 300 which i've modded to be 2/3/4wd. i'm wondering if the diff on the 500 offers the same 3 positions (2/3/4 wd) that the 300 offers. i believe this is only for the '01 machines. anyone have a '01 that wants to check this out?

thanx...johnc

 

No the 500 doesn't have 3 ranges but according to a couple of test on this website the 2001 500's have PROGRESSIVELY locking front diff. Some people on this forum dissagree with this findings while others strongly suport it. I personally want to see it before I back it up.

 

Thats me. I never read anything by Arctic Cat stating that it had a progressively locking front end. Only Bombardier to be truthfull. I would have to see it as well. I think if AC made that improvement, then we would be hearing about it a lot. Mainly from them.

 

I wish I had a scanner but I don't so Here's what the 2001 Arctic Cat brochure says. On page eleven, about 3/4 of the way down the list of features, it says: "Automatic torque-sensing front differential for true four-wheel drive." I really don't think Arctic Cat would print that in their sales brochure if it wasn't true. Again, from what Arctic Cat states and from what the reviewers at atvconnection.com found, I have no reason to doubt that the 2001's, all 2001's, do in fact have true 4wd.

 

That claim, Cat made in the past as well. Also sounds kinda like Honda & Yam claim their front works. I'm think if there was a big change you would about it from Cat in LOUD & Bold advertisements.

 

Well, to throw a bigger wrench in the gears,,,the 2000 brochure also has the same statement 'true 4 wheel drive'...John C

 

Johnc

Just joined the forum and do not have an ATV yet, but I am looking. How did you get the AC300 to have 2wd, 3wd, and 4wd. What did you do? As I understand it, the AC300 only had 2wd and 3wd; but the King Quad has all of them....right?

Barry

 

Folks...keep in mind that the 300 4x4 also only has 'two' positions in the diff on the front end from the factory. I've modified the front diff (extended the linkage) to accept 2/3/4 wd positions. My question is has anyone checked if the diff has 3 positions? (disassembling the linkage and manually moving the star nut)

maybe we might be surprised!!

JC

 

Yep, they have said that in the past and the claim isn't worth the paper its printed on. It doesn't say Progressively Locking anywhere. I would bet money that its the same limited slip that they always offered. Seems like one guy on here with a 2001 AC 500 gave it the jack stand test and sure enough, it failed.

I wish someone I know would buy a 2001. It would take me 10 minutes to find out if there is any difference. True 4wd is whatever you want to define it as. Thats why nobody really lies when they make the claim. Honda had this debate with the new surtrac system on the Ranchers, and it went on endlessly, despite statements by Rancher owners that they had the 3 wheel effect in some circumstances.

Basically it comes down to this. If its not a Polaris, King Quad, Quadrunner 250, Traxter, Modified AC300, or locked with aftermarket parts, then its just a typical 3wheeling limited slip.

 

hey johnc, i have the 2000 300 4x4.Can you give a more detailed description of how you made yours have all 3 without loosing the 2wd???