I am about to buy a new ATV in the next couple of weeks. I looking at the 06 Rancher with a old fashion foot shifter. I know the specs listed for the 05/06 has overall length of 78.1 inchs, but I was wondering if any one out their can advise if they can/actually have put a 05/06 Rancher in a 1998 short bed Chevy pickup (78 inch bed) and been able to close the tailgate. If so is there enough room left to someday install a winch on the front?

The other two models I am considering are the Foreman 500 foot shift or the Rubicon. I am leaning towards the Rancher foot shift because I like to keep things simple (less items to break). I also perfer to have a bike that will allow me to haul it in the back of my truck with the tailgate closed. If the Rancher won't fit I will possibly move up to the Foreman. I use the ATV to hunt and play ride on around the area I hunt. I take it quite easy when I ride and am not into speed but do what enough power to get me up the hills and pull something should the need arise. I would also like any input or suggestions any one has concerning the three models I am considering.

 

You shouldn't have a problem stuffing the Rancher in there. With the winch its a little tight but they will fit. If a Rancher won't make I doubt the Foreman/Rubicon will. REally haven't heard anything bad about any of them except the ESP models and the occasional burnt Rubicon trans. Rancher is a great fourwheeler then again so is the Foreman. Get the best you can afford because once you get it you will want a bigger, better one LOL

 

I own a 97 Ford F-150 short bed and my 05 Rancher fits in it with no probelms. The winch tucks in under the front and does not pose a problem, at least mine doesn't.

The front bumper has to just touch the front of the bed in order for the tailgate to close.

Now the 04 Bruin we have will not fit to where I can close the gate.

 

I have a 1994 chevy short-box and it fits right in, the bumper is high enough in the front that it extends over the top edge of the box, a couple inches away from the rear window.

 

Ditto. I have a '96 Chevy with a 6.5' bed. I can back the Rubicon into the bed and close the tailgate. You will have to either put some blocks under the front tires to lift the front a little to clear the tailgate, or just lift up on the quad a little to close the tailgate (but the bash plate will rub the tailgate some).

Another option is to get a Louisiana Guard Dog. I have one and have been very pleased. The "link" thingy is not working at the momment, but the URL is http://www.laguarddog.com/

 

A Rancher will fit no problem.

When I bought mine, my buddy was buying a TRX90 and a CRF100. The Rancher was an impulse purchase, and we were able to fit all three (barely) into the short bed of a Dodge Ram (tailgate open). Surprisingly, they all made the 200 mile trip home OK.

 

my Rancher fits fine into my short box 2000 F150 so I would think it would fit into a Chevy........

 

I think i have you all beat. I stuffed a 330 outlander into the back of my ranger! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]

 

I saw a brand new Rancher fit right thru the back window of a ranger....LOL I helped pull the sucker back out the truck[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I had my Rincon in the back of my short bed 95 Chevy with the tailgate closed.
You should see a friend of mine. He has a Bomb 800 that he hauls around in a Dodge D50!