badman5555
New member
where would be the best place to find a adjustable rear shock for a 2004 viper?
Like Ohlins?? You can contact Carver in MN.
badman5555
New member
my sled has non adjustable shocks on rear,starting to sag ...so my no action has no suspension!!!!!!!
super1c
Super Moderator
The rear shock is adjustable just not rebuildable. It should have a steel collar with step like features on it. The lowest step or smallest area on collar is one and softest (more sag). The highest step or largest area on collar would be 7 or stiffest. The stiffer the rear shock spring the more ride height you will get. This will raise the skid but the ride will be X10 worse that it already is. Ride height is about your spring and i doubt that is wore out. The same applies to center shock its just 1-5 and it should be on 1 for no preload. You can also set your FRA to the lowest notch but once again it will be like riding a 2x4. These skid are not meant to sit high and look "cool" like a newer sled. Also the skid itself is probably wore out, meaning all the bushings are shot leading to more sag. So that being said you have couple of options.
1) Stiffen everything up to get back your travel and have a crappy ride.
2) Buy a nice used rear and center rebuildable shock from any 02-03 viper. Send it and your center shock to carver or pioneer and have it rebuilt and revalved to you weight and riding style. While that is being done rebuild you skid per BTV (read) http://www.totallyamaha.net/forums/showthread.php?t=30541 This will improve your "sag problem" and your ride X10. The difference in unbelievable.
3) If you got the money you can also buy a nice set of ohlins and rebuild the skid.
I went with #3 on my o4 viper s and WWWWOOOOWWWW. I picked up a used set of ohlins for the skid (viper or 03rx1 ohlins will work) I used rx1 ohlins. Rebuilt the skid per BTV and once i got it dialed in it was awesome. With the old skid in the u.p. first year i had it i wanted to cry by the time night fell it was sooooo bumpy. The next year with the rebuilt skid i flew over those same bumps like they werent even their. I was even out riding my buddy and his wifes nytro's. Some like to change out the skid all together but i wanted to stay OEM. The proaction gets a lot of flack but i think if set up right they are a very nice ride. Wow, that was long. Sorry about rambling but hope it helps. Chris
1) Stiffen everything up to get back your travel and have a crappy ride.
2) Buy a nice used rear and center rebuildable shock from any 02-03 viper. Send it and your center shock to carver or pioneer and have it rebuilt and revalved to you weight and riding style. While that is being done rebuild you skid per BTV (read) http://www.totallyamaha.net/forums/showthread.php?t=30541 This will improve your "sag problem" and your ride X10. The difference in unbelievable.
3) If you got the money you can also buy a nice set of ohlins and rebuild the skid.
I went with #3 on my o4 viper s and WWWWOOOOWWWW. I picked up a used set of ohlins for the skid (viper or 03rx1 ohlins will work) I used rx1 ohlins. Rebuilt the skid per BTV and once i got it dialed in it was awesome. With the old skid in the u.p. first year i had it i wanted to cry by the time night fell it was sooooo bumpy. The next year with the rebuilt skid i flew over those same bumps like they werent even their. I was even out riding my buddy and his wifes nytro's. Some like to change out the skid all together but i wanted to stay OEM. The proaction gets a lot of flack but i think if set up right they are a very nice ride. Wow, that was long. Sorry about rambling but hope it helps. Chris
badman5555
New member
super1c thanks for the reply,was going to replace skid i actually bought one off of ebay and got scammed.lucky for me i used pay pal and i did get my money back.i`m leaning towards your direction.i know my spring is whooped and sled sags 3 or 4 inches before my big a s s gets on it.i want to get some better shocks on the rear and get it back up where its suppose to be.i just got back into sledding last yr.
Option #4
Find a newer skid that will ride much better for $300 - $500 and swap it in. There are a number of skids available on the used parts market that would greatly improve your ride.
In my opinion by the time you finish replacing bushings, bearings and rebuilding/upgrading shocks, you can buy a used skid in great condition for about the same amount of money. The labor is about the same or even less.
I tried a bunch of shock combinations on Vipers, and while the Ohlins setup correctly improve the ride a lot, a mono or another brand skid is like night and day difference. A mono setup correctly is very hard to beat.
Find a newer skid that will ride much better for $300 - $500 and swap it in. There are a number of skids available on the used parts market that would greatly improve your ride.
In my opinion by the time you finish replacing bushings, bearings and rebuilding/upgrading shocks, you can buy a used skid in great condition for about the same amount of money. The labor is about the same or even less.
I tried a bunch of shock combinations on Vipers, and while the Ohlins setup correctly improve the ride a lot, a mono or another brand skid is like night and day difference. A mono setup correctly is very hard to beat.
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