I was thinking of having a diff.lock on my kodiak and was wondering if anyone has done this ?Can you still use the button on your handle bars ?How much more does it affect the steering ?Thanks for any help.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

I too have wondered.. It seems like a worthwhile investment. My old 300 Polaris would run circles around this new Kodiak I have, in the rough (when it was running). It SEEMS I remember someone putting one in a 600 grizz a while back on here, and they said it DID affect the steering, even in 2-wheel drive. but the front end beeing locked, not only will both tires PULL together, they will ROLL together, meaning even in 2 wheel drive, when taking turns, there will be no differential action. Both tires will turn the same speed, this almost HAS to increase steering effort.
Im Curious to, any Comments?

Ron

 

hey ktmexc
what was the difference on your 300 ? Did it have a front diff. lock on it ?The only place i've had problems is in the mudd.My kodiak will still get around good just the real slick mudd is the tuff stuff.Maybe better tires then stock would work also.I don't know if i want to give up my easy steering.

 

Kodiak,
Yes the 300 Polaris had both front wheels pulling. It only had 24 inch tires on back, and 22's on front. In Very Extreme terrain, such as Off-cambers, and rock gardens the little 300 would just destroy my new Kodiak, even with the smaller tires. There are places my 300 would go, that I simply cannot go with the Kodiak without winching.
I SWORE after owning the POlaris I would never Own another 4x4 without a diff lock. Unfortunately, The polaris took too much money to maintain, and the only quads OTHER than a polaris with diff lock, are 7,000 quads. So I bought the Kodiak. It's more important to me at this time that I can just hop on it and ride it, without thinking of what I need to adjust or fix first. I truly Enjoy the machine. As far as Deep Mud, the 300 didnt have much of an advantage, if any over the kodiak, due to the smaller wheel size.
I bought the Kodiak, with the Intention of installing a locker,So Im sure I will soon.

Happy Trails!
Ron

 

If you put a locker on the Kodiak, it will stay locked, regardless of the use of the on/off 4wd button. Which means steering will be harder at all times. On the other hand, Detroit locker is now making lockers for atvs. When they get around to making one for the Kodiak, the on/off 4wd would NOT become obsolete

 

Think it would be cheaper and much easier to just weld it, since theres nothing different.
Of course, you can always take a locker back out, you cant undo the weld!

 

I dont think welding would work .I've tryed to weld gears on a old klt 200 three-wheeler i had and didnt have any luck .I had the right kind of rod but it just wouldnt hold .I found a place that sells front lockers for 65$ thats not bad i just dont want to give up my easy steering.My kodiak drives like a motorcycle .it steers so easy in 2 wheel drive.I'm going to drive it like this for a while. if i find myself stuck to much i might change my mind again.