Bontz Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 An old high school buddy of mine purchased a couple of newer (I think he said they're 2018's) Cats and asked if I could help him stud both sleds ... which I'm more than happy to do. My first question though ... I assume these sleds are going to need tunnel protectors - right? And if they do, I hope the local Cat dealer has some in stock otherwise they may be feeling the pain of the supply chain woes I'm guessing. The other question I have is, if they don't need protectors I typically don't remove the snow flap as there's enough room to work with the way a Polaris snow flap is set up. Can I expect the same out of the Cat, or is it easier to just tip it on its side and go from there - or taking the rear suspension bolts out and dropping the rear of the skid/track to work on it that way? I'm more concerned with the need of tunnel protectors, and hopefully they just slide in if that's the case. That also will make the stud install question pretty simple, since the snow flap will be removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambroski Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 Yes on tunnel protectors. Country Cat should have them in stock if your local dealer does not. You’ll need to remove the flap, 4-3/16 rivets to drill out and just replace them with SS bolts and nuts (or similar) may as well stud while it’s off. I’ve done it every way there is I think but just jack up the rear and there’s plenty of room to get in there….with or without flap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambroski Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 Tunnel Protectors #7639-138 CC is out of stock. Wow. A pair on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Arctic-Cat-Snowmobile-Tunnel-Protector-Kit-See-Listing-for-Fitment-7639-138-/122109739795?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bontz Posted January 3, 2022 Author Share Posted January 3, 2022 Thanks Z 🍻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnstang Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 I'd drill some holes in those protectors for the weight savings you can feel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bontz Posted January 3, 2022 Author Share Posted January 3, 2022 38 minutes ago, mnstang said: I'd drill some holes in those protectors for the weight savings you can feel. Nah - I just figured I'd keep the snowflap removed. Weight savings, plus it looks super cool!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sled_Hed Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 50 minutes ago, Bontz said: Nah - I just figured I'd keep the snowflap removed. Weight savings, plus it looks super cool!!! Probably should install plastic studs too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crnr2Crnr Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 4 hours ago, Zambroski said: Tunnel Protectors #7639-138 CC is out of stock. Wow. A pair on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Arctic-Cat-Snowmobile-Tunnel-Protector-Kit-See-Listing-for-Fitment-7639-138-/122109739795?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0 Do you need them if just doing the center belt? IDK as I haven't done one. @Not greg b did on his RR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambroski Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 2 hours ago, Crnr2Crnr said: Do you need them if just doing the center belt? IDK as I haven't done one. @Not greg b did on his RR Well, unless I am missing something on these particular models but, yuh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambroski Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 Just a three piece for the rear section. A couple of holes to drill and fill and a line or two of epoxy. Easy as pie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnstang Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 Hyfax slides work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat45 Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 Make sure you get the right protectors for the year. I'm pretty sure 18+ have different protectors than the earlier years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
favoritos Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 9 hours ago, Cat45 said: Make sure you get the right protectors for the year. I'm pretty sure 18+ have different protectors than the earlier years They did change quite a bit. The old version will not work at all. The newer style should also come with epoxy adhesive as mentioned. The center one receives the most contact from track and studs. I have been running 1.25" tracks and roughly 1/4" stud penetration. There is no way I'd run the combo without the protectors. The center section is getting hit hard in the front at times. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palu49 Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Idk if the sleds are done yet or not but I haven’t had to take the snowflap off a sled yet to do them. They’ll slide right in from the front. When you put the self tapping screw in push them up past the end of the heat exchanger to be safe (I know you’re not an idiot but I know someone who put the self tapper into the heat exchanger and then let the epoxy dry so it couldn’t be fixed and had to buy a new exchanger for a zero mile sled). See if the dealer has a kit and three protector pieces by themselves. The gun and epoxy make the kit pretty pricey and a tube of the glue will do 3 sleds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambroski Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 8 hours ago, Palu49 said: Idk if the sleds are done yet or not but I haven’t had to take the snowflap off a sled yet to do them. They’ll slide right in from the front. When you put the self tapping screw in push them up past the end of the heat exchanger to be safe (I know you’re not an idiot but I know someone who put the self tapper into the heat exchanger and then let the epoxy dry so it couldn’t be fixed and had to buy a new exchanger for a zero mile sled). See if the dealer has a kit and three protector pieces by themselves. The gun and epoxy make the kit pretty pricey and a tube of the glue will do 3 sleds. Oopsie!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krom Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 (edited) no holes to drill don't do anything stupid, read the directions, steps 5 and 6 make it clear the screws go up behind the cooler, not into it. we stud around a hundred sleds a year, never remove the flap Edited January 9, 2022 by krom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krom Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 On 1/3/2022 at 9:14 PM, Zambroski said: Just a three piece for the rear section. A couple of holes to drill and fill and a line or two of epoxy. Easy as pie! Are those screws run into the heat exchanger?? sure looks like the aren't where they belong.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deephaven Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 On 1/3/2022 at 2:17 PM, Bontz said: Nah - I just figured I'd keep the snowflap removed. Weight savings, plus it looks super cool!!! Weight savings? I do it to roost any fucker that is close to me. 51 minutes ago, krom said: no holes to drill don't do anything stupid, read the directions, steps 5 and 6 make it clear the screws go up behind the cooler, not into it. we stud around a hundred sleds a year, never remove the flap Hmmm, sounds like you've read the instructions a few times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambroski Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 14 hours ago, krom said: Are those screws run into the heat exchanger?? sure looks like the aren't where they belong.. Shit…that may explain why I’m seeing drips of colored water coming down from my flap! naww….thanks for the good eye and looking out for a brother though. It does looks suspicious in those pics. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krom Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 On 1/9/2022 at 7:19 PM, Deephaven said: Weight savings? I do it to roost any fucker that is close to me. Hmmm, sounds like you've read the instructions a few times. That way when I get someone asking a stupid question I can say that the answer is in the directions, and be right 10 hours ago, Zambroski said: Shit…that may explain why I’m seeing drips of colored water coming down from my flap! naww….thanks for the good eye and looking out for a brother though. It does looks suspicious in those pics. Just checking.... You can't imagine the amount of stupid shit I've seen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambroski Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 1 hour ago, krom said: That way when I get someone asking a stupid question I can say that the answer is in the directions, and be right Just checking.... You can't imagine the amount of stupid shit I've seen Yeah, anytime installation instructions have the words, “Self tapping screw” and “heat exchanger” in them, best to read them carefully, twice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bontz Posted January 13, 2022 Author Share Posted January 13, 2022 Thanks for the help fellas. Two sleds and 192 studs later, they’re ready to let their wives ride & feel a bit safer. Having 3 guys on the project is definitely the ticket 👍🏻 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommcat Posted January 13, 2022 Share Posted January 13, 2022 3 minutes ago, Bontz said: Thanks for the help fellas. Two sleds and 192 studs later, they’re ready to let their wives ride & feel a bit safer. Having 3 guys on the project is definitely the ticket 👍🏻 192 studs does 2 sleds? that's normally halfway there on one for me, lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bontz Posted January 13, 2022 Author Share Posted January 13, 2022 1 minute ago, Tommcat said: 192 studs does 2 sleds? that's normally halfway there on one for me, lol We were commenting on that last night as we finished up the first sled ... how 2-per is a pretty easy install, and thank God we weren't doing more (or using doubles)!! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommcat Posted January 14, 2022 Share Posted January 14, 2022 2 hours ago, Bontz said: We were commenting on that last night as we finished up the first sled ... how 2-per is a pretty easy install, and thank God we weren't doing more (or using doubles)!! LOL I usually do 5 per Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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