I have a 2002 raptor and last year is when I started riding the dunes pretty good. This year I just bought a 12 tooth sprocket and I am wondering if it will do better climbing then the stock 13. If not should I go up to a 14. I know what they do I would like to know how they affect climbing. Is the raptor powerful enough for the 14.

 

If anyone has any suggestions that'd be great......dont be shy

 

I am wondering the same thing if anyone has any ideas

 

Well I was there once. I own a 01 Raptor I know the gear ratios are differant but it might help you. When I frist got it I was in 1st or 2nd 70-80% of the time in the dunes. I dropped one tooth on the front was a little better still in 2nd for most of the easy rides in the dunes. Put 4 on the rear for a 44 and now the same type of riding easy dunes now I'm in 4-5th 90-100% of the time. Lost alot on the top but really don't care. I can climb anything now. I'm glad I went the low of a gearing.

 

by doing the 44 tooth how much top end do you lose? we want to be able to climb anything but still haul ***

 

My friend ran a 12T front sprocket, 22" Realtors and K&N filter as his only mods. He did really well at the dunes here in Michigan.

As for Tips, I prefer to be in 3rd gear at the base of the hill so if I lose speed I have 2nd and even first to downshift into.

Are you guys running paddle tires?

 

yes we are running paddles

 

I'd suggest trying the 12T front sprocket (or appropriate larger rear) first, it's guaranteed that you'll have enough low end grunt to keep going. It's better than going to do the dunes and finding out that you're geared too high.

 

I just tried the 12/42 gearing in the dunes this weekend. I liked it. I lost alittle top end but I tell you what I was running with a 2001 raptor stock gearing. I pulled away from him all day long and if we ran all out I would pull away and he never did catch up. I had lots of power at top end, as before 5th would gain speed slowly to get to top speed. The only way you are going to find out is try different gearing. I purchased a few different gears (cheap steel ones ) for the front and back to try. Now when I find the set up I want I will get a set of top of the line.

 

Good idea dfitz thanks man