Hey OPT,

For 2011, they mounted the winch down low, right in front of the diff blocking the fill plug. No room to get a socket or bit in between them.

But they moved the rad up where the winch used to be.

 

Sorry,forgot about that! Yea they did move the radiator up which helps on weeds,dirt,etc. 2011 was the last year models I worked on before I retired,after that I know nothing OPT

 

Here's a handy ball end set that I used quite often on hard to reach metric socket head bolts.If you can see any socket head you can get it out at any angle. You can get em a lot cheaper than the Snap On set I have.They have them in short and long lengths.

 

I have one swivel extension like that, but want a set just like that. I really love the Matco site, and do not mind saving for better quality tools. Hate buying cheap stuff that breaks.

 

Hard to break the habit of climbing on tool trucks once you ever start! It's addictive and costly,but better tools than from any box store. I learned that real quick when I first started and had to keep replacing Craftsman tools that wore out too quick or broke.They're good for the weekend mechanic,but don't hold up on a daily basis! Snap On, Mac, Matco,and Cornwell are about as good as they get imo if you don't get into their cheaper line that they all offer now on the trucks also (mostly Chinese). My son's gonna inherit a bunch of good tools and he knows it

 

How long were you working on ATV's OPT? That is something that I would like to do, just not sure they hire guys my age (40) as apprentices.

 

I was working on motorcycles when I was 18 as a hobby,worked almost 23 years as a tech.All it takes is a little tech school(not necessary at all shops) if you want to put in a couple years part time while working.
There's a good one in our area,Cedar Valley College that had courses if you wanted to hang up a diploma,plus all manufacturers have there own schools and update classes that are required to keep shops certified and then more diplomas(I've still got a stack of em) I did feel a little funny at first being in classes with 18 and 19 year old kids for two years when I was almost 38,this after working all day at the shop. Then all the early infield Polaris classes, then the two week refreshers every 2-3 years.I worked almost 20 years in another profession,before I had my mid life crisis and ruined a perfectly good hobby by making it a full time job Age really doesn't matter in most shops,there's still a lot of old geezers out there. Seems though at all the Polaris refresher classes I was almost always the oldest fart there until we started sending one of my young apprentices when it was time. It's never too late to change directions if you want to bad enough. I'm pushing 65 now and don't regret it! OPT

 

Thanks OPT. Going to check the local college and see what classes they have.