[Odey1979]

So I already know it’s not a good idea due to driveline angles but how about cutting it down to a 1”lift. Anyone done this with any success?  It would be easy enough to do I’m just curious about driveline issues. Or are these axles already pretty well maxed out?

[NMKawierider]

One inch isn't bad but you can get that just with 28" tires. You can also up the springs preload a bit and sneak another 1/2" or so over the factory height and still be well withing the limits.

[Odey1979]

I was thinking of doing 28's as well. I have the preload as far as I would like to put it for ride quality really. Just hoping to sneak as much clearance as possible out of this as its very rocky in many spots around here and my under carriage is already starting to take a beating. New skid plates are on the list as well.

[Stovtop]

I tired going the 1" route but had a problem with the bolt heads crashing together as they weren't far enough apart.  Wound up cutting plates that were roughly 1-1/2" lift ( easy doing trials when you have a plasma table).  I put those in and backed my preload off to almost nothing and the ride seems much better as the suspension can actually work now that it is not rock hard.  Gained about 1" of lift which is a bonus to me.  Next year will be 28" tires and 1" wheel spacers.  Possibly going to buy the Bandit's complete shocks as well but we will see how funds are.

If anyone is interested in getting the plates made I still have the DXF files for them (for free) and any steel shop with a decent plasma table can cut them for cheap.  You would also need some small dia pipe and 3/8" bolts, lock nuts etc.

[Odey1979]

I would be interested in those plates actually. I have access to a machine shop and could cut them out pretty easy. Thanks for that offer. Also are you running the trail model as well?

[Odey1979]

Ok that may have been a dumb question. Your pic looks like a trail. Probably should’ve looked at that first.

[Stovtop]

Sorry about the delay.  Yes it is a trail model. I am not back at the shop until Tuesday and I can email them direct to you if you would like.  You would have to PM me an address though.  Can also give you the length of the spacer tubes and bolts required for install if you need.

Edit: Unless there is a way we can share files via the forum?

[Odey1979]

All good man. I sent a PM but I'm not sure if it went through. Computers here arent exactly state of the art.

[Odey1979]

Thanks again Stovtop. Lift seems to be working out great. I did make one small change but that's it. I moved the shock mount hole on the front mounts out toward the tire just a bit, 1/2-9/16" or so, "I should probably verify that measurement huh" . I just centered the hole between the original hole and the edge of the plate. This keeps the ball joints just a little bit less cranked over at full extension. Mine were maxed right out before I did this. Did you notice if yours were too? I think I'll eventually make a new set so the extra hole isn't there but for winter testing this will be fine. I'll have to remember to get an accurate measurement and update the drawing. Anyway I ended up with 2" in the back and 1 1/2" in the front without any preload adjustments. Makes a huge difference in places I'm use to bottoming out. The angles don't seem to be to bad and there's no binding of any kind that I can tell. I also found the measurements on the rzr lift people are using. The front plates have a 1 1/2" spacing in the front plates and 1 7/8" spacing in the rear plates, so obviously quite a bit more than the 1 1/4" spacing were using and I wouldn't go any more than that for anyone else reading this. I will hold onto the plans for these as Stovtop did and if its ok I'll share them as well. Don't want to step on any toes. It saved me so much time measuring and drawing these things out. Awesome job man. Oh and I cut them out by hand at home with pretty standard tools most people with a workshop at home have too. Takes longer and is more work but I needed something to do, nothing to difficult.

[glenlivet]

Just jumping on board to say what I did with my 800 Trail. I used the parts of a rzr 2" lift for the rear only and adjusted the Elka stage 1's preloads all around to achieve 10" of clearance at either end. With with the 75 pounds or so of box contents and extra gas I feel compelled to lug around with me, I didn't have enough thread left on the rear shocks preload rings to quite get the ride height that I was looking for. The front Elkas have plenty of adjustment range and didn't need the lift plates. The rear though needed help, thus the lift plates and then backing off the maxed out preload until the desired right height was reached.

I didn't want to actually 'lift' the machine so much as to get enough clearance so that the skid plate isn't ringing off everything on the trails.

I went by a local dealer a few times now and measured the clearance of brand new Trail 800's on the lot, and they sit with no occupants, with 8.5 inches of rear ground clearance! When I had 8.5 it was hammering off every embedded rock on the trail. 

I went with 27" tires (1" over stock)
I do a lot of technical and washed out, seldom traveled trails and I don't want to compromise stability. Though it's surprisingly stable as equipped I have an idea that EX and Trail alike both suffer stability loss when owners start jacking them up vertically. I figure there's no need for that as long as you have reasonable clearance and you employ a good skid plate like an Iron Baltic or a Ricochet. I have the Ricochet (Iron Baltic didn't make a plate set for the Trail when I needed one) with the HDPE center skin and I've beaten that thing like a blacksmith beats his anvil, and it barely even shows. That said, with judicious picking of a line, it doesn't hit bottom very often now. 

I don't want to make the SXS ride any higher, this setup seems to work fine for me. I like hearing about what others have done though.

[Stovtop]

I'm glad to see everything worked out for you.  The plates can be adjusted to whatever someone would need to achieve what they require.  Feel free to share your drawings with anyone who wants them, I do not mind and would rather see people making their own and saving money.  Everything was a little tight but after I dropped my preload nothing seemed to bind although the front plates are close to the tires at full drop (3/8" clearance) so I will be going for wheel spacers next year.  I haven't had much time for testing as its snowy up here so next year will be the test.  Cheers!!!

[Odey1979]

Glenlivit, I just put the ricochet side skids on myself. I havent heard a lot on how they hold up though so its nice to hear your experience. I was hitting things left and right so I needed to do something. This little bit seems to have made a huge difference over obstacles with very little change in handling. I've been out doing a little abuse testing here and there to see how its doing with all the new angles. Seems to be taking it very well so far. Thanks for sharing what youve done. I'm still very new to the cf moto world as I'm sure shows but I'm catching on quick. Stovtop thanks for jumping on and giving your blessing on that. Didnt want to take credit for someone elses work. Heres a screen shot of the test drive my son took. Who says you cant jump a trail lol. I had one that was higher but it was even more blurry. Oh well maybe next time.