Good morning folks.

I have decided to support our dwindling ecomony and with hunting season just a bit away, I am looking for a 4x4 to use for hunting and gathering firewood.

I stopped at a local dealer yesterday and they had a 2004 kodiak 4x4 with a manual plow that was in real nice condition. No dents on rims and plastic had very little scratches. I think it was an older gentleman's and he just plowed the driveway with it. He traded it on a mule according to the sales person.

A few questions about this quad:
1. Does it have a low range? (I didn't even think to look at the dealership, and then I read a rider review somewhere that said they wished they had it. I guess I just assumed they all had low anymore)
2. What differentials does it have front and rear? (locked, slip, etc..)
3. Any concerns with the power for dragging logs (nothing huge)?

Lastly- They told me $3200 with the plow. Does that sound about right?

Thanks for your help.

 

do you need a plow?

 

I have the original factory brochure from 2005. The 400 does not have low range or a front locker. I am sure it is the same for the 2004. They generally only add those things each model year. The engine power is almost the same as the 450 but you don't have the low range to help. As far as dragging logs, how far you are dragging it and over what kind of terrain would be my question. You could always get a drag to put the log on.

 

Don,t know what Yamaha was thinking. When they introduced the 400 Kodiak in 2000 with the new 401cc liquid cooled motor it had a Low range,then some where down the line they dropped the low range option.

Belt drive and hard work and technical trails without a low range is not a great combo.

Good old 2000 400 vs bad newer 2004 400 Kodiak.

Cost saving measure would be my guess for dropping the low range.

The slower 400 Big Bear with its super low 1st gear might be the way to go.

You have to go to the more expensive 450 Grizzly before Yamaha offers a low range plus auto.

A 350 with a low range will out pull a 500 without one.

 

I don't need the plow. I have a JD tractor with snow blower.

 

Not dragging logs far, or if any distance it would be on smooth ground. I am not super worried about that, cause like you said, I could get a drag.

I was more worried about the low range for climbing the mountain during hunting season. We have a quad trail that runs up a pretty steep slope with a bit of loose stuff. My dad has a Suzuki 500 that crawls right up in low range and I was worried about how hard it would be to go up in a higher range, especially if there was snow.

Does the price seem right?

thanks.

 

Thanks for the link. Great page.

Sounds like you would pass.

I won't be pulling much timber, just every once in a while.

How about the lack of low range for climbing steep slopes?

Also, does the price seem right?

Appreciate the help.

 

I think I would keep looking.