Batwolf
Member
Ok guys, so my 2003 SXViper ER is riding on a 136" mono Apex LTX skid that I previously stretched it out 144". I now am wanting to add some height and tunnel clearance. I intend to do with with rear brackets from the Apex.
Specifically, what I'm doing now is putting in the rear brackets for the rear arm and idler shaft, then moving the front mounting plates down accordingly as well. The rear brackets lower the rear mono arm and rear idler shaft 2" from their previously established locations, and I'm only guessing the ratio of how much lower the front brackets need to go in relation to the rear is 1:1. But what I need to make sure bracket locations are correct is CtC measurements from an Apex in terms of: Drive to front arm, front arm to rear arm (or drive to rear arm), and then from the top of the tunnel down to each of those holes. I poked around on 4-stroke side, but honestly had a hard time finding any measurement at all. I need to determine if I lower the mono skid 2", will it need to come forward a little bit so to ensure I still have proper track tension adjustment tolerance at the rear axle.
Is anyone already running their Viper with a 136" mono AND using the Apex rear brackets in this way?
Specifically, what I'm doing now is putting in the rear brackets for the rear arm and idler shaft, then moving the front mounting plates down accordingly as well. The rear brackets lower the rear mono arm and rear idler shaft 2" from their previously established locations, and I'm only guessing the ratio of how much lower the front brackets need to go in relation to the rear is 1:1. But what I need to make sure bracket locations are correct is CtC measurements from an Apex in terms of: Drive to front arm, front arm to rear arm (or drive to rear arm), and then from the top of the tunnel down to each of those holes. I poked around on 4-stroke side, but honestly had a hard time finding any measurement at all. I need to determine if I lower the mono skid 2", will it need to come forward a little bit so to ensure I still have proper track tension adjustment tolerance at the rear axle.
Is anyone already running their Viper with a 136" mono AND using the Apex rear brackets in this way?
Batwolf
Member
Sweet, it's done!
Batwolf
Member
JDViper might recognize the Ole Snake!
Nice work! If I may ask, did you simply drop both the front and rear mounting points 2" leaving the C-T-C distance the same as the original install? could you post a pic of your sled from a side view?
Batwolf
Member
Actually I did not. I contemplated it, but to mantain good even track stance on the ground with the front skis adjusted the way I want, I dropped the rear 2" and 1.5" in the front. I used a mono relocation template to ID my virtual mounting holes. Since the front drops less, it would technically come backwards a little bit to follow the arc that's made around the rear hole (the rear was easy to locate and used as my reference point along with the front drive). But, that distance was negligible at only an 1/8" so I didn't bother. The skid geometry is bang on presently and cycles nicely! Loving the new stance too!Interesting! With dropping the skid it should provide much better snow evacuation. Did the track approach angle change significantly? Forgot to ask, 1.5" Cobra track?
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Batwolf
Member
I'll get a better side view pic soon.
Batwolf
Member
The approach angle did change yes, but it's not overly drastic. It's probable that I will change out the drivers to extroverted 8T's, and that'll also change track approach angle. But in the long run, I won't be concerned with how it will affect performance. To help alleviate hifax wear at the skid rail curve, I'm going to add a set of small bogey wheels to help soak up some of the pressure in that small area, though I don't intend on running a tight track so that will help too.
