Well I have tried everything. Let me share the results!
We first worked on a pair of 2003 Sportsman 400's, replacing the front stock springs with the springs from a 6x6.
This gave us a little more height, a stiffer ride, but it no longer bottomed out.
So we repeated the process on a pair of 2000 500's and had the same results. Nothing spectacular, because they were actually shorter in stock height but stiffer compression.

We have since installed the sp 800 springs on a pair of 04.5 700's that carry around a plow during the winter and have found them to work splendid!
We have plenty of ride comfort, the springs are about an inch bigger than stock, and have just a little stiffer compression ratio.
We added a pair of rubber spring dampeners for support when the plow is attatched and remove this when trail riding.

I have logged the prices and part numbers in my service manual if you are interested.

As far as installing them on the machine, I never used a spring compression tool, but it would have been nice.
I simply would remove the tire and use 2 jacks to raise and lower the front suspension.
I also had to remove the boot with a special pliers and the front shaft would have to be re-installed.
Good luck with the boot clamp, unless you know what you are doing, it takes a fine touch.

I have also installed a 2" LIFT KIT in my 2003 sp 700, then removed it and machined it down to a 3/4 lift due to the front shaft pulling out when catching air on the machine.

My opinion would be to purchase a set of springs off an 800, the red ones are cheaper, and install them rather than the 6x6 springs.

These will give your machine lift and a comfortable ride like before!
Make sure to buy the rubber spring dampeners if running extra weight up front....
THis will save your springs during working hours.

Hope this helps....

Jon

 

MYWAYOUT.........
Hey that's some great info......Thanks for sharing.......Information like that makes this such an informative site...I'm sure that will help someone here.....
John

 

very good info, thanks Jon!

 

I just installed a 2" lift, EPI heavy duty front springs and Gorilla extreme duty axles on the front of my 03 600, I'll start the rear lift tomorrow. I hope the Gorillas won't pull out on me.

I used sinch straps to compress the coil springs, the same straps I strap a sleeping bag onto my backpack. I just leaned into the spring with my gut into the work bench and sinched them down. I know, someones going to call me a darned fool for not using a spring compresser but it was a piece of cake.

 

now that's using your head, or gut!