Rob's (f-bomb) track mod, who's done it?

HUNDO · Nov 1, 2009

diamonddave said:
Honestly, I don't know that I'd cut the 06 166 (2.4") track. I have that track on my 9 and it absolutely kills the 07 and newer tracks in all conditions.

Maybe it's just the rider then

I was having a tough time convincing myself to cut down my track but after talking with Rob in Puyallup and riding my wife's sled (I understand they are different tracks), it seems like there's not much of a downside. With such a large footprint, it seems like cutting .3" of the the curled ends off the 166 wouldn't be a big deal for deep snow and would have to help on the hardpack. My other thought is to buy new rails with no tip up and see how that works (I think my jumping habit has increased the factory bend a bit).

I don't know what the answer is but when a stock 09 D8 155 and a 07 D7 155 with a Holz rear walk away from me (mine has the Holz coilover as well and the sled is set up properly), there is a problem.

PowderMiner · Nov 1, 2009

More pics please

The way i understand it is to place the screws where the thicker fingers are in the paddle (three each paddle).

Anyone have problems with cutting methods? are all paddels cut or do you leave the outer/inner rows? I definiltly have a problem with track spin as the predominate snow condition is hard or sloppy, seldom fluffy.

Any #'s for the screws?

Thanks, definatly worth a try this season, and when the track wears-out then change it to the CE 2.5.

harland · Nov 1, 2009

i just finished trimming and sinking screws into my D7. i'll try post some pics up this week

Top Notch · Nov 1, 2009

beamslayer said:
Hey Rob thanks for the info. Did you ever find that box of screws I would like to order some from fastners. The ones they now have are trim screws for dry wall . How many needed for a 155 07 ?

For a 155 it should take about 390 screws, for a 163 it should need about 420.

harland · Nov 2, 2009

It was fairly easy, i used a swiss army knife and some WD-40 then drilled a 1/16 pilot hole and it turned out pretty good

Jonce · Nov 2, 2009

I trimmed and screwed my RMK 155" last weekend. I used the sawz-all method. As for the screws, I used 3 per lug on the outer lugs and used 2 screws per lug on the inside of the rails. Basically, I only screwed the lugs with the taller rubber fingers. I used just over a 1.25 lbs of screws (1 1/4 boxes). Looks just like harland's.

Maul · Nov 10, 2009

Well cut and 140 screws down. Ate dinner and going out to do the other 140.

PalousePoo · Nov 11, 2009

Anyone finding the screws anywhere besides a specialty fastner place? Like Home Depot? I want black with the small head like Rob's pic shows.

milehighassassin · Nov 11, 2009

PalousePoo said:
Anyone finding the screws anywhere besides a specialty fastner place? Like Home Depot? I want black with the small head like Rob's pic shows.

I have not had good luck with fasteners from Home Depot. I have found them to be extremely cheap, I am sure they are Chinese. I am not sure if Ace's stuff is Chinese (I am sure most of it is) but their fasteners seem to be way better.

Just my 2 cents

Maul · Nov 11, 2009

Yeh I got mine at ACE last night and they are the black ones with the small heads. They take a #1 square bit, I belive they were called wood trim screws and came in little plastic boxes (like the kind that hang on the wall) of 100. I could take a pic of them tonight when I get home if you would like.

Super B · Nov 11, 2009

Has anyone tried this method with a 1 ply Dragon track?

PalousePoo · Nov 11, 2009

Super B, I posted a question some time ago if the single ply (09) has stiffer paddles than the 08, and it didn't get any response. My new 09 feels alot stiffer, but maybe it's because my 08 has 2300 tip bending miles on it now? I plan to trim the 09 track and maybe "screw" it if I'm still not happy. I've got an M8 162 pwrclaw buddy to compete with!

Super B · Nov 11, 2009

PalousePoo said:
Super B, I posted a question some time ago if the single ply (09) has stiffer paddles than the 08, and it didn't get any response. My new 09 feels alot stiffer, but maybe it's because my 08 has 2300 tip bending miles on it now? I plan to trim the 09 track and maybe "screw" it if I'm still not happy. I've got an M8 162 pwrclaw buddy to compete with!

I am worried that the one ply does not have enough structural strength to handle more rigid lugs. I would hate to screw the track and find that lugs are ripping off....

beeler · Nov 16, 2009

Test

Have any of you guys that recently trimmed your tracks tried them yet. I am waiting to see what you think. Please let us know

deepdiver · Nov 16, 2009

IF you cant find the screws you are looking for try Tacoma screw. http://www.tacomascrew.com/products/sections/1-fasteners/categories/377-wood-screws if they dont have it I would be surprised. Their catalog is bigger than a Los Angeles Phone book with the yellow pages. OR...http://www.mcfeelys.com/

SnoopDrag · Nov 20, 2009

Thanks Rob

You rock! I was looking for ways to up the performance on my D8, simple, easy, cheap, for Tim the toolman, and I have no doubt about how big a difference this can make. Thanks Again!

Zrider · Nov 21, 2009

beeler said:
Have any of you guys that recently trimmed your tracks tried them yet. I am waiting to see what you think. Please let us know

I trimmed by '08 Dragon track last season(followed Rob's instructions) and couldn't be happier. I held off on inserting screws into the lugs. The biggest improvement showed up on hardpack downhills -- braking was significantly improved and that's what I was looking for. And it still works great in the powder. Took about 1 hour to complete the project. Cheap fix; great results. What more could you ask for.

DO IT!

z

nitris223 · Nov 30, 2009

Interesting topic about the use of screws in the lugs. This was always in the back of my mind just never got the balls to do it . As for some of the other guys wondering about trimming the shorter 2" tracks. I did this on my 2005 700 RMK 144. Cut off maybe a 1/4", just enough to get past the grooves on the tip. Night and day difference on the hard pack. When it was stock I would just pin it and the rear end would fishtale all over the place. Now that it is cut way more control and straight ahead. Maybe this winter I will try the screws. Just need to find a reasonable priced place to buy them from. So far $15 a pound is the price I have seen.

AKRedneck · Nov 30, 2009

Nice Trimming Tool

I just cut my track down yesterday and used one of these craftsman handi-cut tools that I had laying around. I thought I'd give it a try and, surprisingly, it works great. Extremely straight cuts that leaves the lugs looking almost factory after trimming!!.. If anyone is worried about butchering there track freehand using a blade (I was a bit), this is the ticket! Line up the blade at the bottom of the nubs and squeeze..very simple

pura vida · Dec 11, 2009

so for those of you who have done this, would there be a difference/issue with using Phillips head screws rather than square taper?

my local hardware store did not have enough of the square taper so i bought the same size screws with phillips heads. they do not counter sink well at all and i can't tell if they are as stiff as the lugs with the counter sunk square heads. opinions? thoughts?

pv

Rob's (f-bomb) track mod, who's done it?

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