I have been told by ONE ATV mechanic that the 500's have the same differential as the 300's. SO SAID it has 2wd/4wd/locker. I would like to know if some of you newer 500 owners could do me a favor and try to see if it REALY does this.

I don't believe it will, but I sure hope I am wrong.

 

Boner,

Very "Politically Correct" post I must say!!

Speaking as one who saw your earlier post regarding this subject.

I will try this afternoon (assuming I can get off the couch after stuffing myself) to check out my front differential. From what I understand, I need to unhook the linkage from the front dif. and see if it has 3 positions instead of 2 right? I've never paid much attention to it but I think I'll put it in 4 wheel then unhook the linkage & try to move the positioner on the dif further.

Lance

 

I've seen the schematic for the diff on the 500.
based on what I've seen, it looks like a totally different internal assembly. the outside case looks very similar. I'm very interested in the test results.

Yes you will have to disassemble the linkage to do the test...JC

 

Just when I had given up on the 3-position diff for the 500s, you bring up new hope! Maybe I'll get a chance to ask our local Cat mechanic this weekend. If others will do the same, maybe we can try for some concensus.
When this first came up with the 300s, I talked to the local dealer about it and he didn't have a clue what I was talking about. Hopefully they've gotten up to speed since then.

 

I've also seen the insides of both(there is a bunch of pictures on the 300's front diff in my service manual and I have seen the Arctic Cat video about the front diff on the Auto's) and I also don't believe it is possible. If it is true, I think everyone will love it.

 

Don't bother asking dealers because they will flat out deny any ability to do this on the 250's and 300's. Probably a liability issue. Let us know what you find out on the 500's.

Jason

 

Hey where did you find the info on the videofor the arctic cat 500 front diff. What video is it on.
Thanks
01 400 4x4
soon to buy 01 500 shift

 

I don't know what video it is, but I think it was the 2000 video about the Auto. They first talked about the transmission then I they started talking about the front diff. They showed the insides of the diff and all. I didn't stay for longer than about 5 min cause it was playing at a Hunter's expo.

 

I just found out that the upcoming Kawasaki 650 twin is advertised as having a front diff lock controlled from a switch on the handlebar. As more competitors embrace this technology it will (hopefully) force AC to follow. I think it will come, but I'm not sure how long I'm willing to wait for them to get onboard.

 

Boner:
I, too, was curious as whether the diff. was the same as the 300's. I unhooked the linkage for the front differential on mine Friday and moved the selector on the differential. There are only the two positions - 2wd and 4wd - that's it!