Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: coonwild]
#4229035
01/07/14 03:57 PM
01/07/14 03:57 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 490 Fairbanks AK
Aknative
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 490
Fairbanks AK
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I don't know how flat the front of that machine is, but you might could bolt a piece of UHMW or something as a 3rd ski under the front of the machine. This is a poor picture, but the UHMW is bolted under the tub and extends forward past the bumper. It helps keep the machine on top. I also cut some hand holds into it to make it easer to move the front end. The snow on top of the machine is from brush hanging in the trail. The pictured machine is a 91 Polaris Supertrak. I was also going to do this to my 96 Yamaha Venture (they still had the pogo stick suspension with relatively flat front end) but the way the hood is hinged the front of the cowling goes under the machine. I couldn't figure how to make the big body ski with the UHMW without hindering the hood.
Last edited by Aknative; 01/07/14 03:59 PM.
Rumors of my assimilation have been greatly exaggerated.
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: coonwild]
#4229036
01/07/14 03:57 PM
01/07/14 03:57 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 0 Alaska
DW@North Lake
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trapper
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Alaska
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If your front skis float too much! Then your track sinks in more, and you get stuck even quicker . There is a balance that needs to be met. My Tundra 11 has 8inch ski skins and that is as wide as I can go before having more problems in deep snow . Some times you just have to let the snow settle for a couple days before going out.
The modification that AkNative talks about is a good one. I did that on my old 89 Tundra 1 and it helped keep the machine floating on the snow with out raising the front to high.It also helps when you hit some old stump or rock hidden under the snow
Last edited by DW@North Lake; 01/07/14 04:03 PM.
Danielle
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: coonwild]
#4230371
01/07/14 11:48 PM
01/07/14 11:48 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1 Fairbanks, Alaska
akhawkeye
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1
Fairbanks, Alaska
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If you've got 3' of powder and it's anything like up here where you have to go slow because of turns, trees or exploring, it helps to break out the snowshoes and tamp down a trail first. I know that's not a mod, but I thought it worth mentioning.
The master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried.
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: coonwild]
#4230513
01/08/14 12:51 AM
01/08/14 12:51 AM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,172 AK
Tradbow1
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,172
AK
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: akhawkeye]
#4230520
01/08/14 12:56 AM
01/08/14 12:56 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 0 Alberta , Canada
jimmy henderson
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Alberta , Canada
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If you've got 3' of powder and it's anything like up here where you have to go slow because of turns, trees or exploring, it helps to break out the snowshoes and tamp down a trail first. I know that's not a mod, but I thought it worth mentioning. That's what I've been doing for the last two weeks !!!! Lots of fun huh !!!
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: coonwild]
#4230597
01/08/14 02:19 AM
01/08/14 02:19 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,492 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
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james bay frontierOnt.
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Get a good pair of snowshows like was said and walk your trail first(with your brushaxe in hand of course)When you get tired of walking and brushing-backtrack your snowshoe trail to your machine,and ride it to the end,repeat.This In my opinion is the safest way to work when alone and far in the bush-I don't take risks anymore.You will be able to pick a better trail this way too.If you pick your way a good tack,without too much cutting you can do several miles in a good day.I used to love the old elan for this kind of trailwork.
Last edited by Boco; 01/08/14 02:22 AM.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: coonwild]
#4230603
01/08/14 02:30 AM
01/08/14 02:30 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,979 Alaska
Hupurest
"Andy S wannabe"
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"Andy S wannabe"
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,979
Alaska
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If you break a limiter strap it will be a wheelie machine, They work in conjunction with your shocks, shock springs, coil springs....everything should be adjusted for the rider and the conditions. .they prevent or limit the amount of weight transfer/torque from lifting the skis off the snow... Too tight and it will be very darty with a lot of ski pressure...
If you want the straps tighter than you can get them as it sets not he floor, use a chunk of wood, like a 4"x4". Place it up between the limiter strap and the front idler wheel...
The max is a triple cylinder if I recall....right?? If so, they are heavy machines... Something that might be difficult to overcome. The ski skins may help..
I'll take wolves over idiots any day.
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: coonwild]
#4230623
01/08/14 03:16 AM
01/08/14 03:16 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,136 southern ontario canada
coonwild
OP
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OP
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Posts: 1,136
southern ontario canada
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Mine is still the old twin cylinder , but power is not short , it has lots of power just no flotation , boco that's what I ended up doing breaking trail with my shoes first , thanks for the tips I'll play with my limiter strap to see if I can get it set better for me
Last edited by coonwild; 01/08/14 03:17 AM.
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: Tikchik Gulo]
#4833080
01/02/15 05:49 PM
01/02/15 05:49 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1 T1-R8 WELS, Maine
Dam Camp Wife
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1
T1-R8 WELS, Maine
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Might I suggest carrying a "Come-Along" with you? You can loop it around a tree and get a work out. Been stuck in the deep stuff many times. That is a LOT of shoveling. Pace yourself, bring extra gas, a change of clothing, good energy snacks always ....and always a shovel and matches, too. I agree with the other reply, standing on one side of the sled often helps greatly, but not always. Shoveling can be exhuasting and take "forever". Some sort of cell phone is a good idea, too. :-) Ooh, another thing we do is have a different track put on our sleds, a track with larger paddles. that GREATLY helped us in here (we live off the grid and have 8 miles of snowmobile travel to our truck). The larger paddles have made a huge difference. Costly, yes, but worth it for us and how much we use our sleds.
Last edited by Dam Camp Wife; 01/02/15 05:52 PM.
I am ME and ONLY ME. THAT is WHO I want to be!
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: coonwild]
#6139747
01/27/18 01:43 PM
01/27/18 01:43 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 490 Fairbanks AK
Aknative
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 490
Fairbanks AK
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Those are boats!
What do you think of the VK540? I have the 4 stroke Viking, it's great when it starts. I'm still getting used to driving it, don't get as many hours as I want on it living in the City with a regular job.
Rumors of my assimilation have been greatly exaggerated.
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: coonwild]
#6139767
01/27/18 02:14 PM
01/27/18 02:14 PM
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Oh Snap
Unregistered
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Oh Snap
Unregistered
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Along with all the modifications mentioned above I would also consider changing the gearing to as low as gearing I could get.
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: Stan Z]
#6139948
01/27/18 07:20 PM
01/27/18 07:20 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,859 Northwest Territories
muskrat411
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trapper
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Northwest Territories
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Hey Stan when you get the VK I got one in October. Hate it I already wrecked one cylinder head from changing the spark plugs so often. It always runs in one at cold start up and if I leave it idelling in the cold it kills the plugs and is hard to start.
Last edited by muskrat411; 01/27/18 08:00 PM.
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: coonwild]
#6139949
01/27/18 07:22 PM
01/27/18 07:22 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 490 Fairbanks AK
Aknative
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 490
Fairbanks AK
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Dang, that's sad to hear.
Rumors of my assimilation have been greatly exaggerated.
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: Aknative]
#6139975
01/27/18 08:04 PM
01/27/18 08:04 PM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,859 Northwest Territories
muskrat411
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,859
Northwest Territories
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Dang, that's sad to hear. A lot of my problems may come from the terrible dealer we have up hear. They seem to have forgotten to fill my transmission and the running on one problem may be from one of the heaters on the carbarator not working. I have an appointment on Tuesday to get it checked.
Last edited by muskrat411; 01/27/18 08:18 PM.
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: coonwild]
#6140158
01/27/18 11:21 PM
01/27/18 11:21 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,274 NWT
Ryan McLeod
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,274
NWT
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I like that ‘91 sport gt. My grandpa has one like that and it’s still dependable as ever. Used to be a Cadillac for caribou hunting back in the day when I was following first with an elan then a 83 I think enticer 250.
If you take care of the land the land will take care of you
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: yukon254]
#6140186
01/28/18 12:00 AM
01/28/18 12:00 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,859 Northwest Territories
muskrat411
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,859
Northwest Territories
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muskrat is yours still on warranty ? I thought they only had one heater on the carb so thats good to know. Hope you get it sorted out. Yeah until 2020!so me and that dealer are going to be big enemies for a long time if they don't figure it out.
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: ]
#6140255
01/28/18 03:15 AM
01/28/18 03:15 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 113 Tanana, Alaska
Stan Z
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 113
Tanana, Alaska
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Along with all the modifications mentioned above I would also consider changing the gearing to as low as gearing I could get. Most snowmobiles I have owned I immediately change the chain case gears to get more low end power. The 540 has high, low and reverse transmission so gear changes not needed. Low is plenty slow. Most non tranny machines nowadays can't really go slow enough in almost bare tussocks and rough ground for my liking without being constantly on the verge of clutch disengagement.
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: muskrat411]
#6140256
01/28/18 03:22 AM
01/28/18 03:22 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 113 Tanana, Alaska
Stan Z
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 113
Tanana, Alaska
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Also how you put your screen over your cold air return. Is tha Gorilla Tape. Looks way better than how I did mine.
First I put the vent screen on the inside but that just formed a "cup" for twigs to accumulate in. Went to the screen being flush with the cowling top and that works better. Dealer said a lot of 540's were breaking fan fins from stuff going down into engine and I can see why. Gorilla tape put on with a heat gun is how I put it on and found some plastic screening laying around. Imagine some day Yamaha will have it put on at the factory. Real good cooling system otherwise.
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: muskrat411]
#6140258
01/28/18 03:33 AM
01/28/18 03:33 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 113 Tanana, Alaska
Stan Z
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 113
Tanana, Alaska
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Hey Stan when you get the VK I got one in October. Hate it I already wrecked one cylinder head from changing the spark plugs so often. It always runs in one at cold start up and if I leave it idelling in the cold it kills the plugs and is hard to start. That doesn't sound good and should be under warranty. Mine just went through the 50 below we had and did need to start with a hair dryer but once going was getting used all over town through that cold spell. Hated to run it then but it was that or nothing as the truck would not start. Sorry that happened but that is not normal from my use of my old VK or this new one.
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: coonwild]
#6140828
01/28/18 10:03 PM
01/28/18 10:03 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,492 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,492
james bay frontierOnt.
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Back in High school I had a 72 340 tnt skidoo.It would run on one cylinder when it was cold.Changed out the plugs and put one hot plug on the fan side and a cold plug on the other.Ran good after that.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: Deep snow snowmobile mods
[Re: coonwild]
#6142127
01/30/18 11:54 AM
01/30/18 11:54 AM
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Oh Snap
Unregistered
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Oh Snap
Unregistered
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^ ^ ^ ^ ^TRANSLATE----Mud flap instructions "No Fat Chicks" ! Had to use a magnifying glass to read.
Last edited by Oh Snap; 01/30/18 12:23 PM.
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