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will a stock front off a diff atv fit a 400ex?
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Posted by: sikblak400

i was looking to change my a-arms and shocks and put longer ones on. is there any stock brand that will botl right up. like from a 450r, z400, yfz450. will any one work but also be longer then the stock 400ex?

Posted by: MIrider

The z400 and 250r a-arms are pretty much the same as a ex. They use the same shock lenghts and use the same spindles. The only difference is the width of the pivot points on the frame. The Ex uses the smallest width and 250r is a little wider than the ex and the z400 is the widest of all of them. But other than that the a-arms on the three machines are almost identical. Hope that helps a little.

Posted by: sikblak400

i read aboutt he 450r a little. are the a-arms exchangeable? can i take them off the 450 to make mine wider. i know the shocks will work. i dont really have the money to spend on works or elka so i have to do with what i can get. so any info is greatly appriciated. thanks

Posted by: Jeff@TireBalls

Those a-arms are not the same! Their geometry is much different and will cause handleing problems when switching from one machine to the other. Shock stroke lengths are also different and can cause balljoint problems and cause the frame to hit the ground on full compression in some instances. This is very dangerous and is not recommended!

Posted by: MIrider

I disgree, the only difference is the pivot width's on the three. LIke you couldn't put 250r or z400 a-arms on a ex because the pivots are to wide to fit in the frame. But you could put ex a-arms on a 250r or z400 with spacers in the pivots. Or even 250r a-arms on a z400. The a-arms are the same length and have the same ball joint positions.

Posted by: Jeff@TireBalls

I'm sorry you disagree but I'm stating facts.
Z400 shocks are longer than Honda shocks. Also strokes are different from shock to shock. There is more to front end geometery than just parts bolting up with spacers.

Posted by: Bush0102

i'd trust jeff if i were you.

its the sad fact: there is no cheap solution to getting an upgraded suspension.

Posted by: MIrider

Sorry, but the 250r ,Ex and the z400 all use the same length stock shock. Which is 16 1/4 , you can go measure.

Posted by: Bush0102

did you not read that their strokes are all different? LIke he said, the parts may bolt up but the geometry is not the same. I can't believe you are trying to argue with the owner of a well-known shop who is also a pro gncc racer!

Posted by: Juggalo

at one time i thought Z400 and 400ex shocks were the same too. i was going to sell my friend my works off my EX for him to put on his Z. they bolted on but they were extremely soft. the stock Z shocks bolted onto my quad after some pounding and they were way stiff. yeah their the same length but the stroke is different which is why the shocks were crappy feeling on the diff quads

Posted by: Jeff@TireBalls

Even the 250R and 400ex shocks are slightly different lengths and yes, I have measured everyone over the last 5 years of working on shocks.

Posted by: sharkinthepool

Let me post my stupidity, only because I tried!

The 250R and 400ex a-arms can actually interchange, that is no big deal. But that is also not the question. Sure they interchange but after they are on are they going to work as designed for that original machine they came on. That answer is NO!
A 250R was designed in 1985. When in fact suspension travel was an idea but not thought of they way it was today.

The geometry issue everyone talks about is the pivoting and movement of the arms on the atv. AND NO, 250r arms do not move they way they are supposed to on a 400ex and vise versa.

I tried putting 250r arms on my 400. They looked good. The atv set good even under weight. But after one jump you can tell that it is not made for the same thing. The travel produces a tie rod hit! Which can cause damage to you and your equipment!!!

MY 2 cents.....

If you think it will work then do it! This question has been asked over a thousand times I am sure!!! If you need to prove it to yourself then do so.

Posted by: toby400ex

quote:
Originally posted by MIrider
Sorry, but the 250r ,Ex and the z400 all use the same length stock shock. Which is 16 1/4 , you can go measure.

You're new, and possibly somewhat retarded from what it seems. Dont get in an argument over front end geometry with a guy that professionally rebuilds Atv shocks as part of his living.