motorhead327
VIP Member
Hey whats going on! I just bought a 98 srx700 and its my first 00 era sled. I used to have a kawi 440 ltd, srv 540, and a exciter 570 l/c. So I feel like im in heaven with the srx. Well I need new trailing arms so my question is... Should I replace them with srx 700 arms and put ohlins on the front OR upgrade to viper frt end. If I did that, what else would I need to make it work.
I am a mechanic by trade so I would understand what you guys are saying. I'm just looking for some x-tra ground clearance too for trail riding. Sled has a new X-force track and I weigh about 150 without gear. Thanks
Any other tips are welcome.
I am a mechanic by trade so I would understand what you guys are saying. I'm just looking for some x-tra ground clearance too for trail riding. Sled has a new X-force track and I weigh about 150 without gear. Thanks
Any other tips are welcome.
Where in NE Ohio are you- I lived in Cleveland for many years- still have lots of friends there
motorhead327 said:Hey whats going on! I just bought a 98 srx700 and its my first 00 era sled. I used to have a kawi 440 ltd, srv 540, and a exciter 570 l/c. So I feel like im in heaven with the srx. Well I need new trailing arms so my question is... Should I replace them with srx 700 arms and put ohlins on the front OR upgrade to viper frt end. If I did that, what else would I need to make it work.
I am a mechanic by trade so I would understand what you guys are saying. I'm just looking for some x-tra ground clearance too for trail riding. Sled has a new X-force track and I weigh about 150 without gear. Thanks
Any other tips are welcome.
I swapped to viper front and rear susp (but kept the SRX trailing arms) and am happy overall. IMO - I don't see much use in long traveling one and not the other.
You can use SRX trailing arms with Viper/Venture/SXR radius and tie rods. The SRX spindles are shorter so ride height will be lower than Viper but it'll still be higher than the SRX, plus it widens the ski stance about 2.5" along with increasing susp travel.
If you go with Viper trailing arms you'll also need the spindles. If you go with Viper radius rods you'll also need to shim the sway bar links.
You'll also have to find some custom top shock brackets to accomodate the Viper shocks.
motorhead327
VIP Member
What I was thinking was, using the viper trailing arms and spindles and the ohlins shocks. Will this work? Thanks
motorhead327
VIP Member
jay-s said:
I live a few exits down from ashtabula. The madison/thompson area. About 45 min east of cleveland.
bluewho
Active member
If you lift the front and not the rear of the sled you will find the skid will not work properly.
motorhead327 said:
You'll raise the ride height about an inch or so with the taller Viper spindles/TAs and I believe you could swap the top shock brackets side to side to raise it another inch but you'll still have the same travel if you use the short SRX shocks whether Ohlin or KYB.
If you plan to use Viper shocks the top mount of the shock is different than the SRX thus the need for custom top brackets or I believe shock extensions are available aftermarket. You'll end up with increased travel and ride height but the ski stance will be the same. May be a bit tippy when cornering because of the higher CG so most also widen the ski stance with Viper/Venture/SXR radius rods.
I suppose the added inch or two in ride height wouldn't have a big effect on rear skid performance but it's just a guess. Easy enough to try the trailing arms first since you're replacing them anyhow then try swapping the shock brackets.
I'd recommend long traveling/widening the front susp and swapping the rear skid for an X-brand (SC3, Extra-10, M10, etc) or a blueprinted Viper/SXR.
motorhead327
VIP Member
Thanks that just answered all my questions. I will keep an eye out in the classified section for these parts. Thanks for the help.
bluewho
Active member
I suppose the added inch or two in ride height wouldn't have a big effect on rear skid performance but it's just a guess. Easy enough to try the trailing arms first since you're replacing them anyhow then try swapping the shock brackets.
I'd recommend long traveling/widening the front susp and swapping the rear skid for an X-brand (SC3, Extra-10, M10, etc) or a blueprinted Viper/SXR.[/QUOTE]
Its easy 2 check if your front end is stiff like most srxs are ;no sag] put a jack under your bumper and lift it one and than two inches and see what happens.You wont have the adjustment needed on the limiters to get the track on the ground with the short front shock, and it screws up the fra mount
with the skid thinking its going up a hill all the time.Now if you want longer front shocks and run them with lots of sag this will work better than than stiff setup but handling suffers in corners if you are agressive.
.
I'd recommend long traveling/widening the front susp and swapping the rear skid for an X-brand (SC3, Extra-10, M10, etc) or a blueprinted Viper/SXR.[/QUOTE]
Its easy 2 check if your front end is stiff like most srxs are ;no sag] put a jack under your bumper and lift it one and than two inches and see what happens.You wont have the adjustment needed on the limiters to get the track on the ground with the short front shock, and it screws up the fra mount
with the skid thinking its going up a hill all the time.Now if you want longer front shocks and run them with lots of sag this will work better than than stiff setup but handling suffers in corners if you are agressive.
.
Its easy 2 check if your front end is stiff like most srxs are ;no sag] put a jack under your bumper and lift it one and than two inches and see what happens.You wont have the adjustment needed on the limiters to get the track on the ground with the short front shock, and it screws up the fra mount
with the skid thinking its going up a hill all the time.Now if you want longer front shocks and run them with lots of sag this will work better than than stiff setup but handling suffers in corners if you are agressive.
Sounds like Blue has some experience with raising just the front. I guess 2" inches is a substantial change.
The change in ride height on my sled going from the all SRX to all Viper susp. is just over an inch but I run a lot of sag front and rear and I'm also using short SRX TAs.
IMO - Increasing the width of the ski stance nearly makes up for the increase in ride height. My FRA is cranked up (I'm a big boy - 230#) with low preload on the front spring (and front springs). Dual rate Viper springs up front help to compensate for the low preload. I'd like to try even less preload but I'm not sure if stiffer springs are even available.
Lately I've taken the advise of my old man neighbor...
"Sheesh, just ride the dern thang"!
with the skid thinking its going up a hill all the time.Now if you want longer front shocks and run them with lots of sag this will work better than than stiff setup but handling suffers in corners if you are agressive.
Sounds like Blue has some experience with raising just the front. I guess 2" inches is a substantial change.
The change in ride height on my sled going from the all SRX to all Viper susp. is just over an inch but I run a lot of sag front and rear and I'm also using short SRX TAs.
IMO - Increasing the width of the ski stance nearly makes up for the increase in ride height. My FRA is cranked up (I'm a big boy - 230#) with low preload on the front spring (and front springs). Dual rate Viper springs up front help to compensate for the low preload. I'd like to try even less preload but I'm not sure if stiffer springs are even available.
Lately I've taken the advise of my old man neighbor...
"Sheesh, just ride the dern thang"!
bluewho
Active member
Yes i agree ............Just wack it till you crack it!!