Just got a 2004 Sportsman 400 4x4 with 100hrs/700 miles. In good shape and everything works. Came with winch, front storage and plow as well.

The problem I have is that it is underpowered for my size. Combined weight when loaded up and riding we are north of 1000 pounds! I knew it was underpowered when I bought it so I'm not faulting the machine.

However, when I have two LT80's, a Trail Blazer 250 and now a Sportsman 400 to maintain I can not afford to finance a machine for me nor plop $8-$10k down on an 850XP! I got this for under $2400 and could find no other Sportsman 4x4 of any size (in good shape) that was south of $3200 and most were much higher!

This gets me out on the trail riding with the kids (instead of watching!) and if I have to drive a slow machine to do it, then so be it.

However, I thought I'd check with my fellow 400 Sportsman owners to see if you were able to eek some more power out of this thumper....without going crazy of course!!

If anyone can recommend mods they have made to their machines and any common or notorious maintenance issues revolving around the '04 400 please let me know. I don't know what the difference is from the 2004 to the 2004.5 but the title does state 2004.

Thanks guys, appreciate the help!!

 

the month of it was made is wheather its an 04.5 or not. does it have hubs on the front or just a rub caps on the front wheels? ther is a memeber on here called Onesavage that has had a 400 for a while and really has good luck and might be able to tell you more on upgrades if any. just make sure you use low range in bad and real slow areas and slow speeds to save on your belt wear there is more stress w/ the added weight.

 

I'm not sure if by hub you mean any kind of lock-out hubs like you'd find on a 4x4 truck. It doesn't have that but the ends of the spindles have a black rubber boot. I have attached a pic to my profile if that helps. If not, I can figure out how to add it to the thread.

Thanks!

 

Keep the oil changed every 50 - 100 hours (depening on operating environment) and keep the air filter clean. Change the transmission fluid every 100 hours, and watch for torn CV boots. Also grease the filttings with chasis grease annually of when running in water.

Wix filters are cheaper and better than the Polaris oil filters Wix 1258 NAPA 51358.

 

Good day!!! As far as any mods for power, dont wast your hard earned $$$.. There is no more power to be had, I have clutched, jetted and piped and also run a K&n and there is no noticeable difference..Just keep it stock and reliable, its still a very good machine that has treated me well for 4 years now. It is not and will never be a racer or even snappy.Just leave it alone and enjoy the ride.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Twin LT80's

I'm not sure if by hub you mean any kind of lock-out hubs like you'd find on a 4x4 truck. It doesn't have that but the ends of the spindles have a black rubber boot. I have attached a pic to my profile if that helps. If not, I can figure out how to add it to the thread.



Thanks!</end quote></div>

you dont have any hubs which means its an 2004.5 i would be guessing. make sure when you ever service the front housing you use the correct POLARIS oil to change it w/ so you wont have any issues. imo

 

That's pretty much what I was looking for, thank you. I had planned on changing the fluids since I just go it and have seen lots of threads on here whether or not to use Polaris brand so I am going to stick with that for now. Onesavage, thanks for the advice on the power upgrades b/c at least I won't get frustrated putting money into it and not yielding results!!

What do you guys do for slow-leaking tires? The tires on the Sportsman and the Trail Blazer always need filled before we ride.

Thanks!

 

I just fixed my tire on the same machine, when I took it off the rim I noticed there was little gravel bits stuck in between the rim and the tire, I picked them out and wire brushed the tire and rim and it is air tight now.

 

wait you say you are gonna be trail riding with the kids then u say the machine is too slow. Our kingquad 400 will go 90kph and its only like 370 something actual cc so a sportsman 400 should probably 100kph. When are you gonna be going that fast on a trail anyways!

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: kingquad400

wait you say you are gonna be trail riding with the kids then u say the machine is too slow. Our kingquad 400 will go 90kph and its only like 370 something actual cc so a sportsman 400 should probably 100kph. When are you gonna be going that fast on a trail anyways!</end quote></div>

I can get to about 45mph on open road. It doesn't exactly set any land-speed records getting their, either. I expected it to be in the 55mph range. I think the kids LT80's do 35mph and I know they get there PDQ.

I am not worried about top-end. As you stated, how fast am I going to ride the trails, anyway? If I wanted outright speed I would have looked at a 400 Sport or something else fast.

Was just looking to see if someone had successfully tapped the full capacity of their 400 Sportsman and by what OneSavage said, it's a futile task. I'll just keep it stock, maintained and have a blast with it!

Went out yesterday and the daughters LT80 started acting up so I just ordered a replacement petcock.

Now I just need to find some local trails that have cabins. We want to go camping (no longer have camper and I'm too old for tents!) and it would be nice to find somewhere in Ohio, PA, WVa where we could ride right from the cabins where we stay.

Thanks guys!!