Actually, what I really want is a 450R with push button 4x4 but for some reason no one has thought of that yet. It would be great for gnarly GNCC type riding.

 

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

If you look on Artic Cat's website the 500 4x4 is indeed a manual clutch with a toe shifter. That is what I am interested in. I still don't know what year they started making them with that configuration. Where are the die-hard AC guys!</end quote></div>

Okay, I remember now (Pretty sure anyway! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] ) Arctic Cat started making the 500 manual 4x4 in 1998. It stayed the same through 2001, with 10" ground clearnace and a semi-independant rear suspension(works GREAT!). 2002 it went through a change in body style, and got more hp and became a fully-independant suspsnsion with 10" of suspension travel and 12" of ground clearance. Next generation change was in 2005. 2006 is when they added a diff-locker to the 4x4 system, however the first generation 500's can be made to lock their front dif with no problems.

My old man has a 2000 500 4x4 in the auto. It is a solid maching, and he uses if for everything from yard work, hunting, clearing trees, riding, plowing, etc.

The clutch on these things is a tow/heal shifter. Some people find this really annoying and prefer the "regular" style. Arctic Cat does have a kit for like $40 that will convert the tow/heal shifter into a standard one.

Is that what you are looking for?? Let me know if you have specific questions. Good luck.

 

ummmmm...... pretty sure that sums it up! well done catterman.

 

What do you mean by tow/heal shifter? How does that work?

 

instead of having the traditional"put your toe under and click up to up shift and then click down with your toe to down shift type shifter". arctic cat has a rocker type shifter. 5 clicks up with your heal (1st-5th gear). 5 clicks down to down shift with your toe. easier than it sounds once you get used to it.

 

So...does it have a manual clutch?

 

yes but without the actual clucth you pull in with your left hand. its a "wet clutch". basically you just shift.

 

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

yes but without the actual clucth you pull in with your left hand. its a "wet clutch". basically you just shift.</end quote></div>

Ok, now I'm really confused! So the 500 doesn't have a manual clutch, just manual shifting?

 

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

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



yes but without the actual clucth you pull in with your left hand. its a "wet clutch". basically you just shift.</end quote></div>



Ok, now I'm really confused! So the 500 doesn't have a manual clutch, just manual shifting?</end quote></div>

Yes I do not think a manual clutch on a Utility was ever made. (Meaning a hand operated clutch)

 

haha i confused myself reading this thread

I always called it semi-clutch(kick it up, kick it down), manual or auto..less confusion that way [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

The largest utility w/ a semi clutch is a vinson 500 and the AC500 from what I remember.