as long as all 4 tires spin when needed thats all i care about, some very good points above on this subject and very good info also, thanks guys for all the help.

 

2002 and newer foremans and rubis, have a front differential that wont "wear" out. Pre 2002, have a clutch pack, and they will wear some.2002 and on, use a cam engagement, for a tourque senseing differential, which, as long as there is clean fluid in it, wont wear out, no matter how much it works. Its the same style of differential as range rovers use, I think everyone knows how well they work.
4x4 information

 

If you have a front wheel dangling in the air, spinning, try tappin the front brake. This usualy transfers power to the wheel on the ground. It works wonders on the Rancher

 

Many moons ago, I used to have a Suzuki 250 quad. It had a factory front and rear diff lock. It made a huge difference in the mud holes. I used to try to get it stuck on purpose, then lock it in...and out I came.

I have a rancher now. Still pretty good in the mud, but still not like a locker. My buddy has a praire 650, not really keen on that bike. We both bought brand new last month. He already had problems...Kawi junk ! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] just kidding

How are the Bertuzzi rumours coming, he lives about 40 mins from here. Crappy thing.
Spud

 

Thanks Hondabuster. That's some good info.

 

[q
"Now I have a spool locker ($35) from highlifter. Makes steering a little stiffer......."[/quote]


A little stiffer? There's the understatement of the year. Unless you have arms like Popeye riding with a spool in the front with a spool in the rear (standard setup) is one of the most dangerous things you can do. You have to be big enough and strong to ride it especially when going slow on hard ground. I have a Suzuki King Quad with the true locking diff (first I might add...been out for over a decade) and it's almost undriveable with everything locked. I use it only for mud or climbing. Without it with one wheel in the air I don't get traction to the other.

Since I just got my 02 Rancher 4x4 I haven't tried it out yet. But reviewing the 02-03 rancher parts manual and service manual, there is a limited slip in the front diff. Normal breaking point is 10-13 ft-lbs. Like any limited slip the key word is limited. Limited on how much slip it'll take and limited on how long the limited part will last. Toward the end of it's service life the limited means zero.

 

I'd like to see a forum where this "My limited slip spins all 4 tires at all times" thing HASN'T been addressed too many times. Bull, I don't buy into any special differential on any machine when it says limited slip.

Bottom line, if you have one and are truly confident in you limited slip, then try this test. Warning, you might come away dissapointed and buy a Grizzly, Prairie, AC650, or even a Polaris god forbid.

Jack your machine up. All four tires front and rear off the ground. Make sure its sturdy, and will not fall off or have a tire catch the ground. OK, put it in gear and make sure its in 4wd if it even has that option (Rubicon owners need not apply). Reach up there and grab one of your front tires and hold it in place, and then give it some gas. You should feel a quick hitch, and then you should be able to hold that tire at a standstill while your other front tire spins freely. If you can't hold that front tire, and both will spin evenly, then I'll shut the hell up and admit you have a good limited slip system.

Try it. I did on my AC500 and thought about puking, then I thought about buying a Polaris. Then I just said the hell with it and waited 3 years for somebody other than Polaris to put a decent differential in a quad.

Honda needs to quit playing that simpicity crap and put that stuff on their quads. The Rubicon is freakin awesome in my opinion. Better than the Rincon overall. (Rincon would be better if they would have stuck with the Rubi transmission). Slap disc brakes on those things, add a differential lock and 2wd/4wd select feature to all your 4x4's, and with Honda's reputation, they won't just get the dyed in the wool honda fans. They will get sales from all those fence straddlers too that don't care about brand.

 

As far as steering goes, it doesn't steer like that when the locker isn't engaged. My 660 steers as good as anything I've ever ridden in 2wd. Granted that diff-lock is like turning a freight train in a sandbox, but all you have to do it disengage it. I only use it when needed, and the difference is night and day.

 

The Honda loyalists will still buy Honda even if they are getting less for their money. THAT is why Honda does not offer these options....they do not have too.

 

You can knock my Polaris all you want, but when I'm on my Sportsman, all I have to do is flip my AWD switch, and I have TRUE 4x4. No flipin a diff lock, then disengaging when I want good steering.