Tunnel Extensions... (Which One?)

dirtjumper895

dirtjumper895

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Hey all, I need a tunnel extension for my 04 144'd MTN Viper.... Its going from a 144 to a 162.


I am wondering who makes the best quality extension for a fair price... I have looked into the kits by Tom Hartman, just need to call him and ask some questions, or else i was thinking about seeing if Van Amburg could make me the back half of their boondock tunnel. Any other choices out there besides these two? Which would you recommend and why? I am running a rear cooler so i think Hartman's would look best with the hoses covered... (I want it to look nice)

Or, does anybody have any other ideas on what i should to to it?
Thanks for the help!
 
Hartman Inc. is the name that seems to pop up the most from what I have noticed. I have a Mpi and Hartman's tunnel extensions and both have been good for me.
 
Would love to see pictures of this when its done. And how the Viper handles the 162".
 
I put a 156 MPI kit on my 04 viper. The quality of the kit is great. I did the big wheel kit while i was extending the track, and it worked good as well. The only thing that I would say I hated was changing the hoses. With Hartmans kit you keep the stock hoses and location of the heat exchanger. I may sound like a complainer, but streching out those tubes to fit them over the heat exchanger was a pain. I think if i were to do it again, I would go with Hartmans kit to save my self the time, but i think it was a little more expensive to get the kit, and the antiratchet drivers from Tom. besides that since i did the big wheel kit, MPI just swaped out the rail extensions for me. I guess it comes down to if you want to use the stock hoses and hose covers. I had to just trim my covers a little, but I think it turned out well, and now that I have it on I have no complaints. I'll see if i can find a picture and post it.
 
Well heres an update. I went with a Hartman 162" extension, should be here in a week. Skid is mounted in fits nicely, I might fab some new rear drop brackets at some point. New gen boss seat is on the way, and my 4130 t/a's are modeled, just need to purchase tube and start building... Expected Completion Date is Nov. 30th.
 
As a bit of additional info, all of Hartman's tunnel extensions come in bare aluminum now. I received mine and thought it was going to be blue to match my sled, I called and talked to Tom and he said that he had too many problems in the past matching stock colors. Just thought I would share in case you expected a silver or blue extension and receive a bare aluminum one.
 
Before and After the tunnel extension... Seat should be here Wednesday...
 

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Seat made it here... now just need some rivets and the plastics can go back on..


Its getting cold up north so snow is definitely coming..
 

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BTW, I think consensus is Hartmans makes the best tunnel extension. I bought a tunnel extension to 151" for my Attak -- it is better that OEM fit and finish ... Just awesome!

Now for rail extensions, Hartman's quality is second to none, but gade-thrasher (Muffin Works) on the 4 stroke side makes ones that are also excellent that also include the 6 degree tip up rails, like the Nytro XTX......


Traxx USA makes both these things but IMO their quality lacks some from Hartmans and Muffin works, IMO......

And BTW, Traxx USA is a MN company and I usually never dog MN companies!

Mike

PS, and it's snowing in Duluth right now!!!!!!!!!!
 
Yea, his fit and finish was awesome... For potential customers of his, here is my story about Tom and his business...


Called on a Monday Morning, stated what i needed, he said he was about 4 days behind, so he figured he would build it that Friday and I'd have it by the next Thursday, and I was happy with that.......

Here's what REALLY happened... The tunnel extension showed up on that FRIDAY, the one where he claimed to be making it.... So, i figure, it was atleast 3 day of shipping time from Hartman to me, so he must have made it the same day I called him...


Talk about great service, very quick, super nice guy to talk to, he helped me with some suggestions on other things i have thought about doing to my sled.


All in all, Buy from Hartman Inc.
 
Another Update....I finished the paint on the hood.... Got bars and scratchers, just waiting on t post adapter and a riser...
 

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That Mnt Viper is turning out sweet. The black and orange looks pretty good!!!!!

You don't think you'll miss the Yamaha Blue?

Mike
 
mntvipermn said:
That Mnt Viper is turning out sweet. The black and orange looks pretty good!!!!!

You don't think you'll miss the Yamaha Blue?

Mike
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hahha... never had the chance to run blue since mine was red stock.... Plus my 09 Yz250f is white too, so now they somewhat match....


Overall i think its turning out pretty good...
 
Oh yea -- now I see the red bogey wheels! Do you have the sled in Duluth or in MI? If Duluth, It'd be cool to see that bad boy in person! Give me a pm if you want to show her off.

BUT IMO you are doing a sweet job with the mods.

Mike
 
dirtjumper895 said:
Its in MI right now, but will be in MN During Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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SWEET!!! Well get her over here and show that bad boy off -- I want to see that monster in person. Actually, we should plan on some riding when you're around here. What part of town are ya from? Hermantown myself, so I hit the trails from Midway Road area.

Otherwise trailering up to Finland area may reveal some snow, for sure lots of snow by Christmas!

Mike
 
mntvipermn said:
SWEET!!! Well get her over here and show that bad boy off -- I want to see that monster in person. Actually, we should plan on some riding when you're around here. What part of town are ya from? Hermantown myself, so I hit the trails from Midway Road area.

Otherwise trailering up to Finland area may reveal some snow, for sure lots of snow by Christmas!

Mike
Click to expand...


Im from Eastern Duluth, Lakewood area, So i Primarily ride Island Lake/Two Harbors/Fish Lake area.... Ill let you know when i make it back and we can go ride..
 
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