I am looking to add 27" ITP mudlites and type 6 wheels to my 04 700EFI. I have heard from some of you about adding 700 springs to the smaller quads to add front height. can I possibly add 05' springs from the 700 EFI to my 04 to add front lift. I went to the polarisindustries site and looked at the specs on the front travel. the 04's have 6/7" travel and the 05's have 8.5" of travel. any other ideas would be appreciated also.

 

From what I have seen, the 2005 springs are longer and MAY provide a 2004 model with lift. BUT... the 05 spring rate is supposed to softer (less spring rate) as well. A longer, softer spring may give you the same end result as if you using a shorter, stiffer spring. It's all in spring rate and how much "ride-in" or sag is designed into the spring.

Example: The shorter stiffer (rated at 60-100lb) spring, 12" long when not installed, may have 1/2" of "ride-in" or sag. After it's installed, the spring would end up about 11.5" long. Now... the longer, softer spring (rated at 30-70 lbs.) may be 14" long (uninstalled) but may sag 3" after installation. Leaving you with an 11" spring after installation... In this situation, using a longer spring would actually LOWER your bike by 0.5". The numbers I used here are not specs for any Polaris parts. I just made then up for use in my example.

It is my opinion, that some of the 2005 model year, 700/800 parts may be able to be used in some applications on older bikes. But without the parts available, and further research, I can not confirm this...... YET.

 

You won't be able to use the '05 springs on the '04, they are totally different. Look at this picture Springs, the spring on top (Red) is the spring from my '05 700 EFI, the picture on the bottom was what I was hoping to put on it, it is from Progressive Suspension and their website was screwed up and said they would fit on the '05, but they are made for the '04. The progressive spring is at least as long or slightly longer than the stock '04 spring, which is 3" shorter than the '05 spring, you would like like you are doing a wheelie all the time if you put those springs on there.

People that were considering the '04 Sportsman vs the '05, I recommend the '05 due to the amount of travel on the front end, and the other engine changes, storage compartments, wider stance, etc. Since the Progressive Suspension doesn't fit my '05, I'm looking to sell them if you want a deal. Everything is brand new, they come with the adjusters that go under the spring, etc.

dave

 

Elkbow,
How much ar eyou asking for the progressive spring kit? What is the spring rates on this kit?

 

send me an email....Progressive makes only one spring rate, which is progressive....they have adjusters that go at the bottom

dave
elkbow@comcast.net

 

thanks for the pic, well atleast I know now that the newer springs wont work, or will they? what if you installed the red 05 springs on an 04 then installed aluminum spacers on the back only... or just to be on the safe side I could get the damn aluminum spacers to begin with huh. I am still afraid I'm gonna spend all the money on the new 27's and rims then have to get the spacers and in my gut I have a feeling the tires will rub what do ya think.

 

Bullet....

Take a look at my pics.... My flagship is a 2004.5 700 Sportsman. ITP type-5 wheels and 27" ITP 589 tires.

If you want a 99.999% sure-fire bet to eliminate any possible rubbing.... Use your stock springs with Bert's 2" aluminum spring spacers. With the ITP wheels, 27" TIRES WILL NOT RUB!! And trust me, with my 700 carb, I ride it hard to try and break it (for R&D).... no rubbing.

With stock axles, a 2004.5 can not be lifted (via suspension only) any higher than 2" without either pulling the CV's apart or severely damaging them. I have tried!! This lesson cost me BIG TIME!! Front CV's blown on both sides....

The rate adjustable springs from Progressive are basically the same length as the stockers. Maybe an inch longer. The only "lift" you get is from the adjuster itself. Not the springs. For me, another lesson learned. With those... my tires rubbed.

Will the 05 springs fit on a 04 model? Maybe. But without having a set (yet) I have no way to find out.
Will they fit an 04 model and provide a 1.5-2" lift? Same answer. Maybe.

I do know the 05 springs are not only longer (+3"), but softer in spring rate than the 04's. Without knowing the wire diameter or specific wire material, all you have to do is look at how they're wound. Count the coils and notice how far apart the are. Besides, Polaris even said so...

Therefore, the 05 springs being softer, may sag an inch or so when installed on an 04. IF this is the case, the 3" longer 2005 springs will provide the necessary 1.5 to 2" lift you're looking for. But right now it's a big IF. I am going to try the 05 springs when they become available through my local Polaris parts department. So far there are no 05 part numbers to be had...

If you want a 99.999% sure thing. Get the spacers from Bert's....

 

The '05s I believe will fit on the '04, it will just give you a 3" lift on the front end, or possibly two inch since they are progressive. You will probably have to lift the rear end to compensate. May be a good way of doing a lift for bigger tires. Just to let you know, the spring ends are the same size on the '04 and '05, just the spring itself is completely different.

I think you may be right about still having your tires rub without spacers on the '04...someone else just posted that their 26" Mudlites rub....26x9-12....

dave

 

thanks for all the info guys, much appreciated. I think I will get the 27's and the 2" spacer kit. I also found the 27" Mudlites and the type 6 ITP wheels cheaper at atvoutfitters.com I emailed them with my quote from discount tire and they beat it. I am going to shop around a bit more and see if I can get them cheaper yet. I am currently at $562.00 shipped to my house from atv outfitters.

 

Try Rockymountainatv.com they are about the cheapest I have found for tires.