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What material are those boards made of? Looks really good!
M7 Project Sled....More pics to come
- Thread starter Phizzer
- Start date
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Looks good !!
I had very little time to work on the project this weekend, but I did manage to get some done. The boards came out awesome. I ended up painting them, eventually, they will be dipped clean, and sent to the powder coater. But until then, this is what I ended up with. Got the rear section of the tunnel wrapped. I ended up following the same weave I started with. Next is to cut out the existing board and fasten in the new ones. Oh and I painted the hangers for the skid matte black. Its starting to look like a sled again!
I cut out the old running boards tonight. Used a cutting wheel on a grinder. Right side is nearly complete, I have a few more rivets to install.
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All I can say is......impressive. That is coming together nicely. Great updates and thanks for all the pics- keep em comin!
I managed to get this side of the sled completely done. I varied between some matte black and gloss back to give some contrast between the boards, foot guards, and hoop. All rivets are in place on this side. Feels much much stronger than the stock boards already. Once everything was tied together there was absolutely no flexing in the running board area. All the rivets I used were 3/16 S.S. Now to move on to the other side!
This is slightly off the running board topic, but what are everyones thoughts on the BDX Chromoly A-Arms? They shed some weight and look really cool. Only downfall I can see is if I wipe one out, I have to buy a whole set again? I am in need of an upper and lower A-arm already, and for a little more money I could go this route. Let me know what you guys think.
This is slightly off the running board topic, but what are everyones thoughts on the BDX Chromoly A-Arms? They shed some weight and look really cool. Only downfall I can see is if I wipe one out, I have to buy a whole set again? I am in need of an upper and lower A-arm already, and for a little more money I could go this route. Let me know what you guys think.
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First off, this is turning into a very sharp sled. :face-icon-small-coo
As far as bdx arms, why? If you can build boards it really isn't any different to build arms...
As far as bdx arms, why? If you can build boards it really isn't any different to build arms...
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Well done on the build. Truly impressive! As for BDX arms the cost to upgrade is minimal when you sell your old arms (although you only have one side), the fit is perfect, they do do shed some weight (2.5lbs I believe - I did a post on this recently), and the service you get from BCIL/BDX is second to none. Also, on the replacements they will sell individual parts and it actually ends up being cheaper then buying stock parts! It's only by a couple bucks but still....!!!!
Well I haven't had anytime to work on the sled...I just moved down to Washington from AK and between getting my house/garage/life setup and everything else I just haven't had time...BUT I do plan on getting back on it here in a week or so.
I have been doing a lot of research on guys making extra motor mounts for these sleds and have been kicking around the idea of doing something similar. I saw on thread where guys were putting an additional mount on the cross tube of the bulkhead that ties into the front of the motor. Is this one of the areas you get the most movement out of?? Any other threads about this topic that I missed?
Another interesting thread I read on here, (can't remember where it is) was a topic of HP vs. weight savings. One of the arguments was that when you shed weight off your sled, your increasing its all around performance in the snow. ie. sled rollls over easier, handles better, etc. Versus dumping a bunch of money into adding say 25 horsepower, where the only gain that is "more power"
A combination of the two would be the ultimate I suppose, but I have to say, that I am in much favor of the weight savings vs. HP additions. I never really thought about it in this manner. So instead of figuring out how to pump more juice outta this baby, I am going to attempt to shed every extra ounce of weight that is on this sled. Just a little input on what I was thinking today while cruising the forums
I have been doing a lot of research on guys making extra motor mounts for these sleds and have been kicking around the idea of doing something similar. I saw on thread where guys were putting an additional mount on the cross tube of the bulkhead that ties into the front of the motor. Is this one of the areas you get the most movement out of?? Any other threads about this topic that I missed?
Another interesting thread I read on here, (can't remember where it is) was a topic of HP vs. weight savings. One of the arguments was that when you shed weight off your sled, your increasing its all around performance in the snow. ie. sled rollls over easier, handles better, etc. Versus dumping a bunch of money into adding say 25 horsepower, where the only gain that is "more power"
A combination of the two would be the ultimate I suppose, but I have to say, that I am in much favor of the weight savings vs. HP additions. I never really thought about it in this manner. So instead of figuring out how to pump more juice outta this baby, I am going to attempt to shed every extra ounce of weight that is on this sled. Just a little input on what I was thinking today while cruising the forums
Well I haven't had anytime to work on the sled...I just moved down to Washington from AK and between getting my house/garage/life setup and everything else I just haven't had time...BUT I do plan on getting back on it here in a week or so.
I have been doing a lot of research on guys making extra motor mounts for these sleds and have been kicking around the idea of doing something similar. I saw on thread where guys were putting an additional mount on the cross tube of the bulkhead that ties into the front of the motor. Is this one of the areas you get the most movement out of?? Any other threads about this topic that I missed?
Another interesting thread I read on here, (can't remember where it is) was a topic of HP vs. weight savings. One of the arguments was that when you shed weight off your sled, your increasing its all around performance in the snow. ie. sled rollls over easier, handles better, etc. Versus dumping a bunch of money into adding say 25 horsepower, where the only gain that is "more power"
A combination of the two would be the ultimate I suppose, but I have to say, that I am in much favor of the weight savings vs. HP additions. I never really thought about it in this manner. So instead of figuring out how to pump more juice outta this baby, I am going to attempt to shed every extra ounce of weight that is on this sled. Just a little input on what I was thinking today while cruising the forums
Do both. Lighter and mo powa
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I went the lighter route with mine. I'm really happy with it. I built a tunnel dump muffler which was half the weight and also moved the remaing weight rearward about a foot.
However, I am wanting a higher compression headset for it. Maybe next year.
FORDpickupman
However, I am wanting a higher compression headset for it. Maybe next year.
FORDpickupman
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Looking sweet! Cant wait to see the finished result!
So while I am waiting for some material to arrive, I decided to tear apart my diamond drive and see if the previous owner actually ever changed the oil. To my surprise, the oil wasn't bad at all. I still wanted to make sure I didn't have any surprises when I go out for the first time so I split the case and pulled it apart. All seems well, but my god, the gear set in this thing is rediculously heavy. I know BDX makes a light weight gear set, is that my only option or is there another manufacturer? IS this mod worth the $$$?? How do I know what my current gear ratio is?? Would it be best for me to change up my gear ratio? I am running a 10.4" secondary. Also I know you guys are running other oils besides the AC oil, what lube are you guys recommending??
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Your gear ratio is the number of teeth on the input gear/the number of teeth on the transfer gear.
The (stock) gear ratio is stamped on the dd cover. As long as it hasnt been changed before.
57/63 is what the cover says. It's been apart before, but i dont think they swapped anything out. Would the 55/65 be a good match for a boondocker on/off throttle style riding?
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thats close to the same gearing in a crossfire 500
That 3M Carbon Vinyl sure is bad a$$ lopkin! We have wrapped a couple of sleds up here with it, and yes it is awesome to work with!!
It is awesome stuff! I have never used it before but I won't hesitate to use it again.
So if it's close to a crossfire 500 is that a standard on all M7's? Seems to me if it were the same as the crossfire, it would geared much to low. I think I have that right. Is their a significant weight loss to be gained with the black diamond gears? I can't find weight reduction numbers on the gear set, only the xtreme "high torque" set.
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I meant the 55/65 is close to a crossfire 500. THey are like 54/65 or something, cant remember off the top of my head.
