Home made alpha skid, first ride

[summ8rmk]

Summ8rmk, can you get measurements of the rear Alpha arm? The upper Alpha arm looks shorter than the twin rail design? Also are the bolt ctr's closer together on the lower swing hangers? I am in the process of making an on ctr design. The bottom of the shocks will not rub, but the top is my concern! Does the top of ea. shock rub in static, or when suspension starts to compress matter get worse? I have made my clips, will probably adjust height down on the ctr. guide if needed (.440 tall presently) Thanks, any info would be appreciated Mike

Shock to track clearance is the same throughout the suspension cycle.
The top rear is an easy fix, run the rear axle wheels off an Mseries, that will allow clearance. The front shock, not so easy but still not to hard. Just move it right or left 1.25".

Polaris

 

[1Mike900]

What I am saying is they reduced the suspension travel in the rear due to the 2.00 in. wheel dia. Will this make the shock seem harder/softer than the Mtn, cat thru the travel? As for measurment, what is the lower scissor height from the skid up to the upper arm? 4" to 4.5" especially on the Mtn. cat?

 

[summ8rmk]

What I am saying is they reduced the suspension travel in the rear due to the 2.00 in. wheel dia. Will this make the shock seem harder/softer than the Mtn, cat thru the travel? As for measurment, what is the lower scissor height from the skid up to the upper arm? 4" to 4.5" especially on the Mtn. cat?

Alpha is 4 9/16" on center and 2 1/8" above track, Mtn Cat is 4 1/8" on center and 1 1/2" above track.
Pics for visual.
The rear suspension ride on the Alpha is definitely worse than the Mtn cat.
I put an '18 Mtn cat shock on my Alpha and it is better but still not as good as the 18 with the different geometry.

Polaris

 

[1Mike900]

Summit, thank you very much, it is the last piece of the puzzle to make. The front and rear arms are now ready for welding. Mike

 

[ak_t.humper]

I'm going to try to do this with a 2014 pro rmk 155 but with an extra skid in case it doesn't work out. The plan is todo basically the same thing with a 1/4 of an inch between the rails and to put clips in for underneath. I won't need to cut the track and I can use the same drivers. There will also be a lot of rearranging for the suspension. This sled is also being turbo'd so should be a completely new sled by the time it snows.