Simple how to: 146 Pro

After having a 155 assault last season, I was looking for something different this year.

Here's what I started with.
Pretty much all stock 2012 Assault. 1050 mi, mbrp can, iceage 155 rails and some cosmetic damage from previous owner.

Slight road rash

Took off rear bumper and snow flap bracket to get an idea of how much tunnel was sticking out. At this time I was thinking that chopping the tunnel was necessary.

Removing the skid, then track.

Using the wife's sled here to eyeball what a shorter track would look like in the stock tunnel. Her sled is a 144 rmk.

I found an used 146 CE. This was the track I wanted because of the 2.5 lugs. Stock 155 Comp track is on the left to compare overall length.

Putting the CE back in. Way easier to install with sled on it's side when all by yourself.

Checking the bulkhead clearance.

New ice age "bomber" rails. Made for the 146 length and an "assault" bend in the front for running the front mounting bolts in the lower hole.

Here is the length difference.

Rails switched out. Everything lined up nicely for being custom rails.

Reinstalled skid and tightened up track. The rails take a 8in wheel instead of the stock 7 3/8....The stock wheels Will work (as the sled had the stock wheels on iceage rails when I bought it), but I would recommend the 8's.

Checking tunnel lenght after install, little more overhang than I wanted with the bumper and snowflap. I considered chopping the 5'' off, but I will probably put it back to a 155 and sell someday so I'm going to make it work as is.

It may look a little 'punk' for some, but removing the bumper and snowflap gave me a better feeling with the added overhang of the tunnel...I wanted a 146 for better turn-outs and more sketchy tree riding, so I figured this shouldn't hang up any worse in the trench than a stock 155.

Also added some b&m boards, moved the tail light to the seat support, RKT drop-in kit and 28 buck upgrade.

Stay puff man on the front bumper ready for some Pow.

Cost break down on adding a 146.
Track: 300 bucks used.
Rails: 400 after 20% haydays discount. 500 if ordering now.
So by shopping around and ordering at the right time I was able to do the switch for less than a new track.

Was looking for a functional sled build, and I think I have it. No wraps or color matching hand guards for me, hell I'm probably gonna leave all the scratches in the left panel. I hope to make this skid couple, but it will most likely be later in the year.

I know there was some talk of others interested in doing this mod, but haven't seen any lately. Put up some pics if you have.:face-icon-small-coo

Outback

clamlake600 said:

Good work and cost effective! I wish they built a UP special; call it the Outback... assault clutching, rmk front end, coil over 144 or 146 suspension 1 3/4" camo powderclaw track....woof

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That would be a nice choice for sure. I think they planned on the sba to cover this gap that people are looking for...but some of us put a lot of miles on here in the Midwest, head west a couple times and are looking for a better handling machine than the piggy sba.

I actually really prefer the wide front end of the assault models. You can really pull a line thru the nasty/chopped up sidehills. Also the panels don't case the snow as easily and you can really lean the machine over to pull a downhill turn quick.
I like it when others jump on your sled for a little rip and they come back complaining about it 'doesn't sidehill' or the front end is too wide for them...especially after you just lead the whole crew up a tough drainage.

I would hope they open up a 146 option. Much better track options in the 2.86p.:face-icon-small-hap

sledneck_03 said:

Looks awesome, if you find the tunnel dragging i wouldnt worry about chopping tunnel, Guys run 163 rails with no tunnel extensions on 155s so i wouldn't hesitate to run 155 rails in a 146.

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Will hopefully give it the test here in a few weeks out west.

I know around here in the couple inches of snow and the 6 miles I've put on it seems to wheelie pretty straight up and down before the tunnel hits the ground:face-icon-small-coo

Another 146

I put a lot of time reading over Darcy's and this post:

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=347998&highlight=watercross

Two different ways to make a 146.
Darcy's is more of a lightweight build.
While the watercross sled is built for a specific purpose, both have ideas you could incorporate into your own project.

Here's how the tunnel looks, My tunnel with no bumper has about the same overhang of the 144 rmk w/ bumper and snowflap.
The M8 sled has the shortest length. Btw it was a 153, but added extensions on 153 rails and the 162 tail section to that sled.

Have access to someone to cut tunnel and will do so if its hanging up on the first trip.

Also read the article on that sled in SledHeads Oct edition. Pretty crazy looking...but wouldn't do that extreme of a hack job as he states it gets hot on the trails

Had the sled out in Cooke City this week. Needs some tuning for deep snow with the 146. Should lift the front of skid into the 'rmk' holes.

Caught a rock while coming down a hill. Skis way off the snow. Will be doing the 5'' chop now and putting a bumper on that will reinforce that area.

The 146 is a fun length for someone my size. 170lbs. Can really turn out on a climb, and can pull real tight powder turns.
Saw between 36 and 39 mph trackspeed on climbs in powder. not sure what the 14 rmk's and M8 were pulling for track speed.

Couple vids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_ayk_uWLIQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqyvRxHTvDo

After this happened

I decided to straighten and chop the tunnel. Not easily done unless you know how to weld aluminum. I took 5 inches off and I think it came out looking pretty good.

Marked the 5'' with a sharpie.

Cut off and edges cut in to enable welding.

Looking at the chopped off coolers.

I re-used the old crossover pipe. It takes a bit of work with a bandsaw and a grinder, but you can cut and smooth off the old welds real well and it lines up to tunnel better than making a new one.

Side view

How much metal is removed

Welding back together. It is a little tricky to recess the crossover tube correctly, but take alot of time here because it's going to be permament.



Looks stock now. Slightly rippled tunnel on the left side, but I'm going to put a M8 bumper on for strength.

Welded up.




Always check out your sled when you have it in a heated shop. I've had major problems from the front torque arm breaking as seen here...It's almost cracked all the way around. I welded it up myself for right now, but will have to get another one soon.