Just wondering why rear grabbars are specific for '04 and up? What was the difference in the '03? Just looking at buying an '03 (already planning on upgrading the front shocks, looking at a pair or TRX450R for it), and was thinking of picking up a newer subframe if the '03 ones had issues.

Any other input would be appreciated, as well. My first ATV purchase since 1987!

 

The changed the sub-frame for 2004........ One of the issues I recall is that the early models the seat was falling off. The sub-frame was twisting and causing the season latch to come undone and eventually the seat would fall off. I think they added a cross-bar to stabilize it in 2004.

 

So there would be no other issues with getting an '04 or newer subframe and swapping it in? Other than maybe a color mismatch.

 

I noticed something was different myself. my girlfriend ordered a rear grab bar for her 03 z400 and i tried to put it on and it wasnt happening. she got it from motosport and they advertise it that it will work on an 03. i told them that the rear grab bar was part of the subframe and could not be unbolted like he says. he told me that the subframe must have been custom. so i took her quad to my house and made it work. that is the difference. in 03 the grab bar is part of the subframe and in 04 they added an extra cross member and the grab bar just unbolts.

 

That's the impression that I had gotten, but I just wanted to be sure. Thanks guys!

 

The updates were made starting with the 2005 year cross members/ larger carb/ and I think differant cam and some lighter engine covers. the ubdates were also on the KFX 400 kawasaki but not the DVX all made by Suzuki