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Shock Idea
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Posted by: 250-R-250

Hey,

As about everyone in this 250r knows, I am building an R. I decided to go longtravel, and I picked the houser +1+3 long travel arms, fedex says they are supposed to be here tommarow...I REALLY want to get the frontend done this week....FUNDS ARE LOW, and I am really starting to regret that I went with a longtravel setup because of the expense

Ok, a friend told me that arctic cat practically has axis make their snowmobile shocks...And we were thinking that maybe this could be a cheap alternative to the norm, elka, pep lt's that I would have to pay out the *** for....So I was thinking about picking up some of there shocks....Now, the snowmobile/axis shocks are 18 inches long, and for my longtravel i need lik 19 or 19 1/2 ? What would happen if I got the snowmobile shocks to work even though they were an inch short? THANKS

Posted by: 250R-Dee

Here's a set of 19.5" Elka Quad Rate Long Travel SSD's on Ebay

Posted by: wilkin250r

Don't try to Jerry-rig shocks and suspension, it's just not a good idea. You would be better off with stock arms and stock shocks rather than going with +3 A-arms and crappy shocks that aren't designed for your application.

Posted by: bananas

It does suck about the $$$$$. I all aways ask myself,, Why can I get 4 shocks on my truck installed for $500.00 and it cost more than that for a rear shock not installed... Who is ____ing WHO here....

Some big compay will get into the ATV biz... and will bring parts to the street at a better cost... I hope some day soon!!!!

Good Luck with your build....

Posted by: 250-R-250

Thanks alot guys, I guess I am gunna end up forking the cash out...Just mean Its gunna take longer, I hope this longtravel **** is worth it

Posted by: 87250rxrider

i am having the same problem. i am really low on cash right now, but just recently purchased houser +3+1 LT a-arms, and i can't afford the shocks.i was wondering if it is possible to take the works ST shocks for +2 a-arms that i have, and have a bracket machined to lower the top mount of the shocks, so they sit at the 19in length. i just need something to use as a temporary fix till after this summer. do any of you think it will work? BTW, my friend works in a machine shop owned by his family, so it would be professionally done.
thanks,
-Ryan

BTW, i hope i didn't steal 250-R-250's post.

Posted by: 250-R-250

No thats actually a good idea? maybe..Thats how a lift kit on a utility is,

Posted by: wilkin250r

Yeah, but a utility generally isn't hitting 40ft doubles or whoops 3ft tall pinned in 3rd gear.

Posted by: 87250rxrider

a bracket made out of steel should hold up to any abuse you throw at it. i can generate a quick design, and post the idea later.
-Ryan

Posted by: TheFontMaster

Now that you metion that, one of my friends had arctic cat sled shocks on hie stock front end of a 400ex. He said that they helped the suspension alot.

Posted by: 87250rxrider

here's what the shock bracket could look like when machined:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid175/p6d05c481e4fe8f96a080b504253fcf3e/f37cd8c8.jpg

if done out of steel, it could be just as strong as the frame.

BTW, the top holes are used where it would bolt to actual standard shock mounts, and holes on bottom are where the shocks would relocate to, and be bolted to.

Posted by: kyex40047

You may end up botteming out our a arms before your shocks bottem out then you will break your ball joints. Save and buy shocks are set up for those arms, and they have bumbers in them that will stop the travel before you bottem out your arms. Do not jerry rig suppension.

Posted by: 87250rxrider

yeah, well who wants to lend me $800 so i can buy some used LT shocks? lol.... i'm 17 years old, and built my entire R myself, with my own money, which i just ran out of, seeing as though i have to pay for car insurance. my R is completely aftermarket except for rear shock, frame and swingarm, so i did pretty well, but i just ran out of funds. i have a job that i go to work to everyday, but all that money is going to pay car insurance. i'm desperate to find a way to get riding my R, without having to wait a year before i can afford the shocks. anybody wanna lend me some LT shocks???

Posted by: etter696

lol join the club. i doubt u will get any sympathy. trying having an R project and a 05 pred. gets spendy! take it like a man and work some more hours and ride later. its worth the wait

Posted by: 87250rxrider

ohh, i plan to ride... by mid july that is. i make enough to spend to get the shocks, but i need the $$$ for car insurance(good thing i get the good student discount). i'm not looking for any sympathy, i never looked to get sympathy when i was ripped off for $350 when i started this project, instead i took the $hit and kept on going. right now i only have minimal parts left to buy, and of course the shocks. if anybody see's some used ones around $700-$800, let me know, b/c in like 2 weeks i'll have the money.

Posted by: nacs400ex

Whatever you decide to do DO NOT go the CHEAPO Jimmy-Rig setup and put on shocks that arent meant for the application, especially when we are talking about a high dollar LT setup here.

Thats like building up a nice Classic Muscle car and saying oh well Im putting a 4-cylinder in it because I cant afford a V-8 or the gas to fuel it. I can get the 4-cylinder professional installed and I KNOW it fits. But guess what it's not PROPER.

Well thats something you take into account BEFORE the project is started.

Just start saving your pennies, I was in the same position as you are with the project. However I decided that if you get a good reputable shock builder and run a good a-arm setup you can get your shocks to work just as well as an LT setup with a couple inches less travel.

I've ridden a couple quads with LT front ends. For example I rode a YFZ with Elka Quadrates and JB +3 LT a-arms, I didnt notice a difference at all while just riding around on a practice track comparing this to my 250R which has Elka triple rates w/ JB +3's ST.

I myself think some LT setups are a sales gimmick with SOMEWHAT of an advantage. It's just if your willing to fork out the cash to gain that minimal advantage.