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Posted by: Tree Farmer
Actually, "Griper Seats" are already in production. From reading posts on the Forum, Griper Seats must be available for not only Arctic Cats, but also for all makes of ATV's.
Oh, wait. Did you mean "Gripper," instead of "Griper?"
Tree Farmer
P.S. Sorry, couldn't resist--you already know how weak I am. I already know, you're one poster who can recognize, as well as take, a joke!
Seriously, the "wish list" of desirable accessories is a good idea--great post!
T.F.
Posted by: BONER
Ok about 8 months ago I posted something about trying to get more Aftermarket companies to make more products for us Cat owners. Well I didn't get much of a response from the owners nor the Manufactures.
I would like to get these following things made for Arctic Cats.
[b]Hitch Hopper[/b](a winch mount that uses a 2" reciever type hitch to move a single winch from the front to the back when needed)
[b]High Lifter skid plate[/b]
[b]High Lifter thumb throttle cover[/b] (basically wasting money, but it sure looks cool{example--fireworks})
[b]High Lifter High compression piston/cam kit[/b] (web makes the cam we just need the piston now)
[b]High Lifter clutch kit for auto's[/b]
[b]High Lifter tow kit[/b]
[b]Works Performance Shocks[/b]
[b] Progressive Shocks[/b]
[b]A REAL locker[/b] (If Niteowl can do it so can some majour company)
[b]3 range front differential shifter for 250/300 4x4's[/b] (allow you to have 2wd/4wd/locked 4wd)
[b]Oil cooler kit[/b] (personal favorite)
[b]"Griper" seat covers[/b] ( so you don't fall off your muddy seat when in deep ruts{I've done it})
[b]Rear skid plate[/b] (Replace that plastic rear "pumpkin" skid plate and TRY to cover the drive shaft)
[b]4/115 to 4/110 wheel adapeters[/b] (make it so 99 and older modeles have actually wheel studs tho)
[b]Dual battery kit[/b] (With you have 6 lights{my future plans}, a winch, hand warmers{not me}, a CB radio, an AM/Fm Radio with cassette player, etc your single battery don't last for long)
[b]Aluminum Products Boot guards[/b]
[b]2" reviever hitch(near factory hitch location)[/b] ( I want to put a Military hitch on mine {if u want to know why ask})
[b]Steering Stabilizer[/b] (every time I hit a rut the handle bars are riped out of my hands)
[b]Easy Steer Kit[/b] (lookin out for you Andy)
If you have anything to add to this list please add it. For everything you do like please tell me. I plan on useing your post as proof that there are buyers of these things. MAYBE then we will see them come on the market.
Posted by: BONER
Increasing the spring rate in the rear end will over come the need of the sway bar.
Posted by: BONER
The Snorkel is a good Idea, I know a company that currently is making Honda snorkels and has plans in the future to expand it's line up.
How about something like what Progressive makes for the front struts of Polaris quads? A preload adjustment. That way the guys that only carry Heavy loads half of the time could have a nice ride all of the time.
Dynojet still hasn't made a jet kit yet.
Posted by: BONER
Well I NEED more post in here first. IF I go to any manufacture showing them I only have 8 post (not even 8 ppl) that suport me they will ignore me. IF I could get atleast 20 then I would be satisfied.
Posted by: BONER
How about bolting the rubber bands in an X pattern from one shock to the other? Like the Right rear shocks's bottom bolt would be connected by the rubber band to the upper left rear shock's upper bolt and vise versa. This would drop your rear end a slight bit but it would fight the body roll.
Posted by: BONER
Someone already makes this.
You can make one by going to a local Mobile home store and getting a trailer ancor. This screws into the ground and has straps that bolt to it to keep a mobile home from tiping over in Hurricanes and Tornados. IF you buy one of these and weld a bar to it to make a "T" you can hand screw it into the ground and then ancor your winch to it.
Posted by: BONER
Looking for more responses.
Posted by: BONER
I want a rear bumper for this same reason. I run into tree's alot and I don't think a rear light could help that since every time I have done it was in the day time. I want a rear bumper so I can protect my (future mods) reverse lights, snorkel, rear winch, and maybe even a rear mounted oil cooler.
Posted by: BONER
K&N Jet kit or Filter? To my knowledge only the Automatic Model has a jet kit out on the market.
Posted by: BONER
Well I would like to know if anyone knows who has a DG Skid plate for the Arctic Cat 454 in stock??? I see alot of people list them yet have none instock, sup with that???
PS. Trying to add more post to this-- can you add some more mods you would like??????
Posted by: BONER
ANY new ideas???????
Posted by: BONER
I don't know if anyone cares but I have got a lot of progess since all of this.
I drew some plans up for Hitch Hopper and Faxed them over so they could make the Hitch Hopper for Arctic Cats(back in december). They are gonna do the 650 Kawaski first then do the Cats.
Dirty Howies contacted me about drawing up plans to make aluminum skid plates for Cats also. They are gonna send me two prototypes when I send them the templates and they finish making them. I am sending the rear diff skid so they can TRY and make a better rear diff skid plate. I know Andy busted his with very few miles on it. Anyone else?
Another company showed intrest in making parts for Arctic Cats too. They are planing on buying a 2001 Cat in a few months and making all kinda parts for it. A couple that they are considering are Skid plates and wheel adapters like I said in my first post.
I've also helped HL redesign the Arctic Cat lift kits, and they are gonna be adding the 300 lift kit in the coming months(Gen. II lift kit for the semi- irs models will be out in a few months too).
Scott Smith also said they had something in the works for Arctic Cats besides that, no telling what.
Other than that I'm not really sure.
Still waiting on a company to make shocks that are resonably priced(Works has front shocks for all Arctic Cats right now starting at $300 a pair for dual rate springs).
What I would like is a kit like what Progressive made for the Sportsman series. With new springs and preload collars. Thats all we need for our cats anyways. A preload adjustable shock.
Well add anything else you recomend.
Posted by: BONER
Well you can't just add a threadable collar on there. You need to make a shorter, progressive rate spring too. If you just add the colar you will stiffen it up with that alone, then it would go up even more with you threaded the collar up.
Posted by: BONER
Go to [url]www.progressivesuspension.com[/url] or call them at (760)948-4012.
Posted by: BONER
Thor-- thanks a bunch for the website. I'll look into those lights, just need more info before I spend that much money when I can get something simular from HL for alot cheaper.
To my knowledge, neither Montana Jacks nor Hitch Hopper make there kits for Arctic Cats yet.
The problem with those companies is that they don't seem to make them for Arctic Cats, I noticed the company you mentioned before does. I'll look into that. I am considering askign Baddsaddles to custom make me a Seat Cover with the Rebble/Confederate flag on the side. I just love the looks of that.
The steering stableizer can easily be made, but it's alot easier and more adjustable in most cases to have a company market this for us.
Posted by: BONER
Thats been there damn excuse for 2 freaking years. They just like to make excuses.
I was told in June of 1999 that "we will have the shocks out for Arctic Cats by the end of the summer". After waiting 6 months I called them up personally and found out that they had never even gotten there hands on one. I was then told that an AC 300 owner shipped in his shocks so they could do test on it and they would make shocks based on what the stockers were set at.
I still don't see anything.
If they realy wanted to make shocks for our cats they would get there hands on a set. I know the nearest AC dealer is like 50+ miles away from them, but it don't stop other companies.
Posted by: BONER
Thats something I think we should leave to Arctic Cat to make.
Posted by: BONER
I saw someone saying that they wanted a 2" receiver. I just wanted to bring this up so that person could add his comment to this post so I can let the manufactures know what we want.
So if you other guys want to buy something for your Arctic Cat and see that it is not made yet, request it here.
Posted by: jarvis
Looks to me like all of the above suggestions and wish lists sound good to me. Hitch hopper, better front and rear bumpers, lockable and unlockable lockers, snorkel, and any thing to help out horsepower would be items I'd be most interested in to purchase. A little more hp is probably the one thing that I've been looking at doing to mine in the near future if there are products out there to do it. Hopefully someday the after market manufactures will notice us cat folk.
Jarvis
2000 400 4x4
Kansas
Posted by: dustytippins
Somebody needs to make a reverse light kit so when you pull your reverse lever a fog light or some kind of light comes on. Because I have run in to alot of trees at night in reverse. Another example is when you are trying to hook up a rope it is hard to see.
Posted by: Buckfever
A locker/unlocker like a jeep , manual locking hubs..... And is it possible for some one like High Lifter to make an add on collar so you could add pre-load to the existing shocks much like Cowboy has done with the spacers but they could be adjusted by that days application? If I have understood what has been written about the spacers they also say it takes away a lot of the body roll.
I work with software so I maybe way off here but how about a pipe that is threaded that slips over the shock and has a contoured, collared lip that makes contact with the top of the spring by turning this you could increase pressure on the springs. The unit would be adjustable and should fit snug against the current top lip piece that holds the spring in place. I am sure this is a gross over simplification but there are some pretty smart mechanically minded people here maybe someone could refine the idea if it's possible.
There are alot of machines without adjustable shocks and this may work in our favor being that the market might be large enough for someone to pay attention and make the product.
Posted by: cowboy
Boner:
You pretty much covered everything I could think of. It would be nice if the locker was a type of unlockable kind, such as the ARB air locker, though I wouldn't personnally want to have to use a air compressor setup to work it. Just adds air lines, which would then get snagged on some kind of debris and break loose, thus loosing locking ability. Maybe some other form of lockable/unlockable locker would work?
For asthetic purposes, maybe a tougher looking front or rear bumper. I could use a good rear bumper myself. I really like the idea of 2" receiver hitch, that would be great! Also the ability to move winch from front to rear would be an invaluable asset. Possibly a lower low gear, and/or higher high gear.
An engine upgrade or performance kit such as the big bore/piston/cam setup would be great to get more power. Also, maybe find a way to deliver more of that power to the ground, rather than being absorbed by the tranny and other reductive forces along the way.
Well, I've got FOOD on the brain now, can't really think of anything else to add. You've already got a great list built up.
Mike
Posted by: cowboy
Well, from the few that have responded so far, looks like suspension/shock upgrades or aftermarket parts have a unanimous decision for a need to produce. Like I said before, I definately need stiffer springs/shocks because of the excessive weight I carry up front all the time. Since adding the spring spacers, it's helped out substantially, and removed my sagging front end, gave me back the suspension travel I had lost.
Another suggestion would be for the mud riders-how about adding or producing an aftermarket snorkel kit? Something that could bolt right on, or be easily modified to fit the AC lineup. That would be a nice product for all of us with auto trannies who like mud riding as well, help keep the belts dry.
Also, when I talked to H.L., they said that the aftermarket pipes are a good way to increase performance. Problem is for guys like me who hunt, I personnally don't want that loud boeing 747 airliner sound that is heard from installing aftermarket pipes. They said that the Silencer IDS2 is a good pipe to add, and quieter than most, but as of yet, they still haven't come out with the actual QUIET series for the IDS2, so it isn't as quiet as it could be. If they could produce a Quiet series pipe, that is closer to the stock sound, though still gives adequate power gains, I'd definately be interested.
Along the same lines, did Dynojet ever produce the jet kit for the 500 manual? I know they produced one for the auto, but last time I checked, they didn't have one listed for the manual trans, if not, that would be a good addition.
Well, just a couple more thoughts.
Mike
Posted by: cowboy
yeah, that progressive type adjustable would probably be the best way to go. Like you said, then you'd have a good ride all the time, regardless of if you had weight or not up front.
Any luck in your quest yet for aftermarket improvements???
Mike
Posted by: cowboy
Actually, I'm a little surprised myself that not many people have responded. I've seen several guys comment on new ideas, or ways to improve the 'Cat, or even for aftermarket parts. As the old saying goes, the sqeaky wheel gets the grease. Maybe if we could get together and bitch loud enough, they might just listen, and start producing, you never know till you try.
Mike
Posted by: cowboy
I think I'm a little confused on where you're placing the bands, but the idea sounds pretty good! If you get if figured out, and set up, let us know how it works out, you might be on to something there. Also, some pics would be great! I think those bands you are talking about are available from 5 lbs., all the way up to 100 lbs., so there should be something in that range that would work for you.
Good luck with your engineering there!
Mike
Posted by: cowboy
Hey, hope Andy doesn't mind, he just gave me another idea, concerning his "worst stuck". Of course, this isn't strictly for AC use, but all quads in general. I think it would be great for somebody to manufacture a "pull pal" type unit, such as for full sized pickups. Something that would act as a land anchor, for hooking a winch to, when you're stuck and there is nothing to hook your winch to in order to get out. I've seen a particular style that they use for full sized trucks that work well in sand, but if they could come up with something that would work in the mud and other terrain, that would be great! I've been stuck a few times, and haven't had a tree or rock for hundreds of yards, so it wouldn't be practical to stretch all the gear that far, not to mention, I don't even carry that much! Luckily having two 'Cats allows for one to tow the other out, should one of us happen to get stuck.
Mike
Posted by: cowboy
Warthog:
Good points with the additions, that rear box was one I hadn't really thought of. Could definately be a little more usefull, mine contains the 'Cats own tiny tool kit (actually quite useful), extra spark plug, extra air filter/gasket and additional pair of needle nose pliers, along with leatherman tool. Kind of a pain squeezing all that in the little opening in that tiny box.
Loved the loader/hoe/hog attachements! Another nifty little gadget that could go along with those would be a type of hydraulic snow plow lifter/swivel possibly-remote controlled, such as with the toggle switch style that the bigger pickups use. -Just a thought.
Mike
Posted by: winston
Boner I think its a great idea for all of us to get involved........in some way. It appears you have been busy trying to get manufactures intrested in making aftermarket parts for AC.
I myself would be most intrested in the preload adjustable shocks. From my own experience and from the magazine shoot-outs this is one area that AC needs an improvement.
Tell us who to contact.
Posted by: winston
This was the response I got on the shocks.
We do intend to make shocks for the Arctic Cats but unfortunately we are
having a difficult time getting one we can test. I am not sure when we will
have something available though.
Thanks
Josh
Anyone live close to progressive ?
Posted by: vtCatamount
The shocks are tops on my wish list!! How about an anti-sway bar?? Maybe reduce some of the body roll.
Posted by: ttaylor
I think one of the best things we can do is keep calling the manufactures and bug them to make stuff for the AC. Once they see a need they will justify building the stuff we want.
I did notice that some of the stuff some small companies are making. Someone mentioned a backup light. There is a webpage www.atvlights.com. These guys make a very nice reverse light and handle bar mounted head lights for the AC. It is a little pricey but what isn't.
Hitch Hopper. I seen something similar that could be easily modified at www.montanajacks.com web page. It was a tow hitch that hooked to the frame/front bumper.
Grippier seat covers- Most seat companies (hi-flite, Graves Motorsports) makes a non slip seat cover. Also there is a tape that MX riders are using. you attach the tape to the plastic just beneath the seat and it helps in gripping with your legs.
Steering Stabilizer- I met Charles Lameson (desert racer, I think he finished 2nd or third at the Baja 2000) I met him last year at an AMA National Hare & Hound. Anyway he showed me his steering stabilizer on his quad. I did what he did to my racer. It should work on the AC or any other quad and it is less expensive. Go down to your local automotive store and buy a steering stabilizer for a 67-68 VW Beetle for $20. Weld tabs onto the steering stem (I built a clamp and welded the tabs to the clamp). You can drill different holes in the tabs to give you stiffer or a lighter steering. Attach the other end to the frame or motor mounts. And you are done. Just make sure you have enough throw and steering movement. So, for $20 bucks and a little time you have an adjustable steering stabilizer.
Posted by: KYParrothead
I had always planned on seeing if I could modify my spare boat anchor (hinged fluke type anchor that digs in more the harder you pull on it) to be a winch hook point for those times when trees, etc are a long way off. The nice thing about such an anchor is no twisting in and out - pull out the line, dig the anchor in the ground a bit, and let it set itself as you pull with the winch. When you get out, just drive around to the back side of it, and retrieve it with the winch - it'll pull out backwards much easier. The problem would be making one where it could be disassembled to take up less storage room. Of course, aluminum construction would be great for less weight...
Posted by: sxr6
Gotta go for some kind of steering stabilizer. After a long day my arms are tired fighting the side to side jerks you get through the Cats bars. Is there some way to alter the steering geomitree to reduce this? Have to look into this!
Posted by: Thump
Something I can't believe no one has mentioned. Make the tranny vent less vulnerable(higher)to water infiltration on the autos. Although I have no problem with it on post 2000 models some do, so make the steering lighter.
Posted by: zigy
hey boner,i'm all for your cause , i'm not as technical as you as far as some of the options you talk about,but i would sure like a REAL tuned exhaust any hp kit wheather big-ger bore kit cams,carbs and anything to increase an already pretty powerful machine.great post!
Posted by: redac250
MAN YOU ARE RIGHT, SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND MAKE SOMTHING FOR ARCTIC CATS. I HAD A HARD TIME JUST GETING RIMS FOR MY 250 (WANTED ALUMINUM BUT COULDNT GET THEM AT THE TIME).
I ALSO HAD TO MAKE MY OWN WINTCH MOUNT FOR MY SUPER WINTCH (SUPERCRAP).I ALSO WANT SOME HOPUPS BUT ALL I CAN FIND IS A K&N JET KIT.
Posted by: Win3855
I carrey a lot of stuff when Rideing mostly hunting stuff. I want suspension products please.
Posted by: MaxandBlade
This may be a crazy idea....but here ' goes...
Back in the 70's, we used to jack up the rear of the old muscle cars with air shocks on the weekends to fit the bigger race tires. What I would like to see someone make is an air shock for quads. (Do they even make air shocks for cars anymore??) I already carry in my cargo box one of those small air compressors. That way, you could lift the quad out on the trails momentarily, or just for the afternoon, rather than the permanent bolt on style currently available.
If it rains here in the swamps of La., or I just want to go muddin' in Marengo, I need a lift kit. If I want to go riding up north in the hills, I don't want or need a lift. Whatcha think??
Other than that, I would purchase many of the items you've listed, if they were available. I would also like performance parts for the 300's. They've been making that Suzuki motor almost forever, it seems, for the King Quad. I have to believe there is a demand for it already. If there isn't now, there will be soon. When those motors start to wear out, people will be looking to upgrade their existing machines, rather than shelling out the big bucks for a new one.
Good Luck Boner,
Mike
Posted by: Farmr123
Don't have a Cat, but I like your ideas. I especially like the hitch adapter. Why not a front and rear reciever hitch socket? Could have hookups for a winch on both ends, and the winch on a reiciver. Easy to swap front to back. Also, just think how easy it would be to back your trailer between thost two trees in the backyard if you could do it facing forward on something as manuverable as your ATV. Better skid plates and boot protectors will always sell to the mud nuts. How about a skid plate that wraps up the front in one piece, kind of like a boat hull or snowmobile front belly? Especially a slick plastic one.
Posted by: girthyguy
I would like to see light wieght wench mounts and even a light wieght wench itself. Like cowboy said a locker you could control. ( has any body tried to addapt the front dif. from the kingQ or ac3004x4 if you could that would be perfect) and as I stated in a earlier post that I was trying to work on fabricating a sway bar for the rear. then a new Idea hit me about how to solve this problem. I want to take a couple of those heavy duty rubber bands from those wieght lifting machines I believe there is 50lb ones and 30lb Im not sure. But any ways You drill 2 holes threw it the size of one of bars that hold the rear axle to the machine. You place the connecting bars through the bands. that way each pair of connecting bars has a band. So if my theory is right when the four wheeler sways the pair of connecting bars has to seperate but it would be harder for them to do so since the resistance of the bands. Its seems really simple and easy thing to try. want I get hold of some of those bands i wll let you guys know what up . or if you have any suggestions let me know.
matty
Posted by: YukonRon
I'm cosidering buying the AC 500 manual, and a real clincher for me would be to see a kit to do the 2wd/4wd/4wd-lock setup on the front diff. Otherwise, a good locker would be nice; but the ability to lock/unlock at will would be important for riding on the hardpack.
The steering stabilizers would be nice to reduce bump-steer with the big aftermarket mud tires on.
I would also find many of the other items you mentioned very useful as well.
Posted by: GuitPicker
I'd like to have. More skid plate options.
Especially for the rear drive shaft.
Back up lights.
Steering stabilizer.
Honkin rear bumper.
More storage space than the little one that comes stock on the 500's.
Power boosting assesories.
And many other things that have already been mentioned.
Just took the cat in for it's first oil change and inspection. I'll really be able to test it out now that it's broken in. Mudholes here I come.
Guit,
Posted by: Warthog
I already covered a lot of this in another thread. Though that was in the context of what I want AC to offer in future models. Some of these can be addressed today by the aftermarket:
Some of the ideas:
* Fatter gas tank. 5.5 gallons or more please.
* Stiffer shocks, or better yet progressive rate shocks.
* Handlebar mounted rocker switch for my Warn winch that was bundled with the Cat.
* Some really useful replacement for that plastic box next to the muffler.
* Deep water kit (snorkel)
* muffler/pipe
* K&N filter kit
* Auxiliary lighting kit (watertight and OEM-looking)
And less for sport, but more for work:
* Front end loader attachment balanced by...
* rear-mounted backhoe attachment
* Front and/or rear mounted brush-hog attachment, at least as wide as the ATV (this is the single biggest work tool that I want/need)
* Post hole digger attachment
* Trench digger attachment (something like a ditch witch)
Basically I want to use my bike as a little tractor to help manage my 36 acre woodlot and to maintain ATV trails with.
Posted by: cat2504x4
Still thinking about the Flowmaster experiment and am still looking into the borla muffler that is used on the jr. dragsters. JEGS racing sells the Borlas.
I'll have to stumble on some more money before I do it though.
Jason
Posted by: badhabits
i would be most interested in the adjustable shocks, a definite buy. a better set of higher output WATERPROOF headlights would be very usefull.
Posted by: badhabits
oh yea, i would like a "park" feature on the auto.
Posted by: Mudrush
Toe in adjustments will help the snatching on the handlebars.
Posted by: treedognite
I just got my cat so I haven't thought much about improvements yet, but the preload ajustable shocks seem like something everybody needs.
also:
A bushhog for trail and road maintenance
Better lighting
Rear bumper (with storage space)
In-out front locker
Steering stabilizer
