I just bought a 2001 Honda Foreman 450ES and it has an adapter kit on the front drive shaft that allows you to either be in 4x4 or 2x4 by pulling a control rod.
The previous owner said all he had to do was take out the original front drive shaft and put in the adapter box and shorter shaft. He said it made a big difference in gas mileage when they were riding. I can't imagine enough savings to justify whatever the cost was.
Naturally he threw away the original drive shaft so I can't replace this conversion kit!
Does anyone know anything about these or have any recommendations? It doesn't seem to be reliable all the time. I can see the unit in front but can't make out any manufacturer info etc.

Brogie

 

If its expensive do not bother. When I switch from 2wd to 4wd I can,t really tell the difference in any way.

 

THANKS for the info TLC
can you tell me who made yours and have you had any problems keeping it in gear for 2x4?
Have a great weekend!

 

I had one installed on my trx300fw which was 4x4 all the time. I don't need 4x4 all the time, sometimes it was nice to just have 2x4. plus- 2x4 made it much easier to turn on the hard surfaces.
mine was made by warn (no longer made)- it was a 4x4 warn disconnect. you gotta keep them clean and well lubed or it'll slip out and be tough to pull & push the control. the control has 2 o-rings in it that can dry up and really make it hard to push & pull. but very easy to take apart and lube it up-
I'd keep it on- I liked mine because the low powered 300 had a real hard time turning the 29" tires in any real mud in 4x4- I found having it in 2x4 I was able to get through some holes easier.

here's the one on my old 300fw

 

That's the one!!
Mine looks just like it with the same push / pull control etc, GREAT pictures too!!

At least now I know who made it, what to do with it and clean it up.
The 2x4 does make a huge difference when trying to make sharp turns.
Man that's quite a machine you've got there!!
THANKS MUCH, SURE APPRECIATE IT!!!

 

no-problem

to be clear- the part you need to keep clean is the **** control- I never had any problem with the shaft end. think there was a set screw holding the **** on- you can take that whole slide apart and lube it up in only a few minutes- makes a big difference.

I'd leave it on- IMO, they are nifty devices and are hard to find now because warn stopped making them for atv's I believe. I think they still make'em for jeeps and 4x4 / AWD trucks-

 

hey I just a 1999 450 foreman the other day and found out the front diff was gone. it has the full time 4x4 front diff. my question is can I put a front diff in from a 2002 model and make it 2x4/4x4. mine has no 4x4 switch on the handle bars so I would have to wire up a switch

 

I have a kit like this. On my 2000 honda rancher 350. Bine won't stay put of 4x4. It slides in by it self. What could it be. It sat for al.ost 2 years prior

 

Don't know these kits at all but it looks like something in the control **** tube keeps it pulled out when in 2 WD. What is that little metal "thing" in the centre of the **** for?