I am looking for a good utility for my wife. I would like to use some also and decided that the rancher was a good middle of the road. Not too big but not too small. I have owned 3 wheels for 25 years and have been happy with them but the time has come to upgrade hers. I still ride a 350x. My question is, can you switch from 2wd to 4wd on the 4x4 ES model and how do you do it?

Thanks for any info you can offer.

 

The current Rancher 4X4 can not be switched fro 4-wd to 2-wd. The new Rancher 400 AT will be equipped with "trax-lok", Honda's switchable 2-wd to 4-wd system.

I bought a Rancher 4X4 ES for our daughters to ride. I prefer it being in 4-wd all the time, I believe it is a safety feature. We have rented 2-wd Ranchers a few times and one of my daughter's boy friend bought her a Recon ES. My daughters are 18, 20, 25, and 29 years old. Quite a few times we have been out with the rented 2-wd and headed up a bad spot and the 2-wd spun out, and the Recon too. A couple of times the daughter riding it just put the brakes on untill she got help. A more experienced rider would have gone right through, and the 4-wd did too. I think it is an advantage or coming down big, steep, loose hills. It is in 4-wd before they ge into trouble and I think it helps keep them out of trouble.

If your wife is a more experienced rider, maybe being able to choose between 2-wd and 4-wd is better.

The Rancher is a very capable ATV and we have enjoyed ours.

 

I did own a 350es and now own a rubicon both of which are full time 4x4.Handling is very good and steering is quite light on both and fuel mileage is as good as machines of the same size that can switch into 2wd.I could add the traxlock or the warn system but I just don't see the need to be able to shift into 2wd.The only difference is that you can spin the rear tires to slide around corners or to pull wheelies neither of which concerns me.

 

I was sitting here thinking and I was wandering, Does the Rancher come with anything to hook a hitch ball to? I saw an option at dennis kirk for a hitch but I think the one I saw had one. Do they come with one or not?

Thanks

 

The entire Rancher line comes with a ball mount. All you have to do is buy the ball or hitch you want and screw it onto the mount. By the way Honda has just released their newest Rancher the RancherAT 400. I thought I would let you know because this machine has "Traxlox" so can you switch from 2wd to 4wd and back.

 

I studied up on the 400 AT. I was going to order one but the price I got on the 350 was in the rice range and too good to pass up. Of cours I am driving almost 1000 miles round trip to get it, but we are going to camp in Mena, Arkansas so I think the trip will payoff. I do like the new design off the Rancher 400AT. Sweet!

 

True the price for the new Rancher is a bit high at 5,999 for the base model. Also being a new model, dealers won't work with you on the price as easy. Personally, I also could not afford the new Rancher and if I were in the market I would definately get the 350 version. So, are you getting the 4x4 with ES? And how much are you getting it for. I had a 2001 Ranhcer 4x4 manual shift and loved it. At the time I paid around 4,750 new.

Thanks

 

$4750 in 2001? Then I am sure i am getting a fair deal. Mine is going to be $4780.10 drive out. It is a 4x4 ES. Brand new. I just called and they were uncrating it right then. I told him i was very picky about the condition of my stuff and if it was not perfect i would walk out. He said " Dan, there will be no scratch or blemish anywhere" I have trikes that are 20 years old and still in mint condition. I like 'em muddy but clean under that. My theory is "Run them till they die" Problem is all I have are Hondas. They never die. i am going to try to link a pic of my 85 350x. may not work but I will try.

'85 350x

 

Here is a pic of the rest. This is first ATV and I am pretty excited about it. I dont tI have slept all week. I feel like a kid at Xmas.

THREE WHEELS

 

Greetings mudpeople
If you buy a 2003 or earlier Rancher 4x4 you can install a Warn 424 select and take it out of 4x4 simply by pulling a lever. The price is resonable and they are easy to install.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]