I have a 98' SRX with the Viper long travel rear suspension and stock front Ohlin's with brackets flipped. This may be a dumb question but when setting up this suspension in the SRX using BTV's set up tips, do I back off the preload in the center shock as he describes for the long travel snowmobiles? Or do I leave some preload in the center shock b/c I still have the stock front shocks?
IMO, I would back off the preload.
I ahev the same question, rear end seems good but my skis don't have a whole lot of pressure. I have not flipped my front brackets either though.
I was going to try the shock extensions from pioneer.
I was going to try the shock extensions from pioneer.
For me, flipping the brackets didn't make much difference, maybe raised the front about 1/2 an inch. When I back off the preload on the center shock it has problems getting traction, I do have adjustable transfer rods and 1 1/2 inch track but still spins like crazy. Was just wondering what everyone else was using for suspension set-up, I tried searching but had no luck finding anything on how to set-up the Viper suspension on an SRXchris189 said:
I'm thinking a lot of people have done this conversion DON'T have the sled setup very well. For example when I bought mine lastyear the setup was just so far off it wasn't funny.
It's good now except the skis just really don't have quite enough pressure.
It's good now except the skis just really don't have quite enough pressure.
When I did mine, I supported the whole sleds weight on the forward shock ( used a peice of plywood propped up with 2x4's ) snugged up the straps. Put it on a level surface than brought down the front end till the first 3" of the track was barely touching, now when I sit on the sled the track is sitting flush. hope that helps.
staggs65
Moderator
personally my opinion is if your going to long travel the rear you have to do the front too or your never gonna get it right, just like clutching, engine building, ect you cant run half a setup and expect great results, thats my .02 do what you please with it
replace the front skid shock spring with the srx spring and tighten the spring as far as it will go, the viper rate spring is to weak, make sure your limiter strap is set correct with the front skis just kissing the ground at full extention, adjust your gaps on the rods 50/50 when your sitting on sled, set your fra in the middle position....good luck
staggs65 said:
X2 - never saw much use in jacking up the rear skid without doing the same up front unless you run super high amounts of sag in the rear. If that's the case, why bother.
I do run a lot of sag on my Viper equipped SRX (front and rear) but also run light pre-load on the front skis. Seems to me if you haven't long reaveled the front, you'd want to crank up the front ski pre-load and limiter straps to keep some form of equal front to rear ride height.
Thanks guys, very much appreciate the input. Will let you know how I make out.
dansranger
New member
I don't have the Ohlin front shocks.
I purchased a kit on ebay for the front shocks and left the same low preload in the front.
I put the new limiter strap out all the way.
The front viper shock I took all the preload out prior to placing it in the skid.
The rear shock has very little preload also.
I used a scale on my ski's and this set-up got me with/in 10 lbs. of my original ski pressure.
I weigh 175 lbs. I have not made any adjustments since the mods, 1400 miles, I love it. The sled rides like a caddilac on the trails.
I purchased a kit on ebay for the front shocks and left the same low preload in the front.
I put the new limiter strap out all the way.
The front viper shock I took all the preload out prior to placing it in the skid.
The rear shock has very little preload also.
I used a scale on my ski's and this set-up got me with/in 10 lbs. of my original ski pressure.
I weigh 175 lbs. I have not made any adjustments since the mods, 1400 miles, I love it. The sled rides like a caddilac on the trails.
How is it for weight transfer, does it hook up Okay?dansranger said:
I did my 2000 SRX last year. I got a Max Perf. rear shock (with the preload cranked up, I'm 265 + leathers) from a member on here, and bought a used front Viper shock (no spring preload). At the same time I put in a Pioneer Perf. bushing kit, shimmed as stated in BTV's instructons. On the rear shock I stole the roller bearing out of my old rear shock. Most of the welds had hairline cracks, the W arm had to be gusseted where it had cracked (I had the limter straps up tight to try to lessen hyfax wear, which over stressed it, = why it broke). At the same time time grease fittings were installed where BTV suggested. Upon inspection the skid is still very tight! My powder coat job is still looking good too! One of the best things I did for hyfax wear was to put Polaris bogey wheels on! PS. as mentioned by Coldplay set your rod gaps to50/50 when yoyu are sitting on the sled.
I have a set of Hauck front shock brackets with the shocks in the middle hole. This lifted the front up, and helped the handling. last week I put on a set of Stud Boy shaper bars and it really turned better.
Sled is totally different! Very happy with the out come.
As stated before, most sleds aren't set up very well. To throughly enjoy the machine you need to take the time to adjust it to your weight and riding style.
Next year I'm finally going to build a wide front end kit for use with a set of Viper front shocks that are laying around in the garage.
I have a set of Hauck front shock brackets with the shocks in the middle hole. This lifted the front up, and helped the handling. last week I put on a set of Stud Boy shaper bars and it really turned better.
Sled is totally different! Very happy with the out come.
As stated before, most sleds aren't set up very well. To throughly enjoy the machine you need to take the time to adjust it to your weight and riding style.
Next year I'm finally going to build a wide front end kit for use with a set of Viper front shocks that are laying around in the garage.
JERSEYJOE
Member
Srx
I have a 2001 SRX in which I installed a Viper rear skid with rear Ohlins. I bought a set of Viper front shocks and BTV's kit and now it is set up fine.
BTV makes the front brackets that allow the Viper front shocks to fit.
I have a 2001 SRX in which I installed a Viper rear skid with rear Ohlins. I bought a set of Viper front shocks and BTV's kit and now it is set up fine.
BTV makes the front brackets that allow the Viper front shocks to fit.
Thanks for the great help everyone, very much appreciated!! Last year when I switched over to the Viper skid I installed all new bushings and added the Pioneer Performance extra wheel kit and hyfax extender wheel spacer kit. I then flipped the front shock brackets but it still was sitting low on the front, front skid shock set at very little preload as per BTV write-up but was hard to steer and weight transfer wasn't very good. I cranked up the preload on the front shocks and front skid shock and then reset transfer rods to a 50/50 gap and that seemed to help lift the front and increase traction. Went for a little spin and it seemed much better but will have to wait till I get chance to do a better test. I'm thinking I might make some shock brackets to raise the front a bit more but will see how this works first.