Everyone has been saying that if the "I" had a locker, it would be the machine to have. I submit that a locker can be made for it with very little cost and effort. If anyone that has an "I" will take a close look, they will see that the front and rear differentials are exactly the same. From what I have seen of diagrams of the insides, the only difference is the racheting cones have been permantly engaged on the rear differential. I think that with some good old Yankee ingenuity that this could be made to be selectable on the front. All you "I" owners take a look at your differentials and let me know if yours are the same right down to to the front wheel drive engage linkage port, front and rear. They were on the prototypes, just reversed.

 

I forgot one thing in my previous post. I have been told by some very reputable persons. Contrary to how it looks, all you have to do is rotate the lever slightly more forward I believe and it will lock the front end. This was done at the factory on the prototypes, but not incorporated on the production models due to liability concerns. It gets very hard to steer and becomes unstable above 20 mph. It's hard to incorporate a rev limiter to a mechanical connection that is reliable and not cost prohibitive.

 

Minehunter, Are the front ends the same on the 2002 ACT and I ?
Thanks, Jeepersmitty

 

Yes, as far as I know. According to my source the front differentials are the same on all the cats now. The front and rear are different between the ACT's though, less someone not be thinking correctly.

 

Is the ratcheting cone different on the new ('02) models from the older ('00 & '01) models? I know the engagement is different but is the diff. the same?

 

Really cool web site with the engine sound and everything. Cool pictures, you only get one chance to take a picture of your machine when it is new....will never be that clean again!

What size are the 589s?

I am considering Goodyear Mudruners, 589s or Bearclaws for my Sportsman. (26&quot

 

RobAlford. I only know what I have been told. I was told it was still a racheting cone lock system. Whether it's the same as it was or has been changed to fit the new differential case I cannot say. I'll try and the info, but I don't hold much hope for that. Circumstances beyond my control have caused me to lose my factory connection. Sorry.

 

Hey Weedy.

I have 26x9x12 589 M/S's in the front (rounder on top, better for steering)
I have 26x12x12 589 M/T's in the back (flatter on top, better for traction)

I only went 1" over on heighth and 1" over in width, to avoid any potential issues with going any larger.

Good Luck.