[Sadlerracing529]

So i just got an 07 rubicon with 500 miles on it in absolutely mint condition, has HL springs and 26" tires on it now. This is my first Honda so I've been doing alot of research on what i want to do to this thing. So far im thinking uni filter, hmf swamp series pipe, jet kit. 2" lift with 28x9x14 zillas, not sure which rims yet, snorkel, radiator relocate, and a 15% gr.
I ride trails and mud, but i dont do alot of peanut butter mud, mostly deep soupy water crossings.
Any opinions on my possible set-up? Things you'd do different?

 

[Sadlerracing529]

And a clutch kit of some sort. I'm also considering running a similar size outlaw, but i know they are much heavier than the zillas and not sure i need a tire that aggresive

 

[GirlsRideToo]

There are several recent posts about tire sizes and lots of old posts about the subject. Please search the forum. I think the info will be helpful to you in your final decision because you need to give it some serious thought.

You're correct to consider the weight of the tires. The weight is even more important than the size, but both must be considered equally when determining just how much damage you'll be doing to the bike. Those HL springs are not any form of guarantee that the suspension and frame will hold up to a large heavy tire. So, big heavy tires will damage your "absolutely near mint" Rubicon. If you told me you bought a well-used Rubicon I wouldn't be so concerned about what you're about to do to it. Obviously, I'm not a mud rider. I'm sure the muddies will chime in on this post.

 

[SamUK]

I think you'll struggle in the mud with 28's and a 15% GR, especially because the rancher doesn't have a low first gear like foreman's and 300's.
For swampy conditions I'd be tempted to get mamba lites, lots of reviews on YouTube on tire choice, take a look. If you opt for outlaws 31's are lighter than 29.5's and of course so are the smaller sizes.
I wouldn't bother with an exhaust on a Honda, all you'll gain is noise, no power unless you plan in spending a lot on a full motor build.

Also.... Any lift, even a 2" bracket lift on a rancher will need a swing arm and shaft stretch in order to stop the UJ binding.

 

[Sadlerracing529]

I think you'll struggle in the mud with 28's and a 15% GR, especially because the rancher doesn't have a low first gear like foreman's and 300's.
For swampy conditions I'd be tempted to get mamba lites, lots of reviews on YouTube on tire choice, take a look. If you opt for outlaws 31's are lighter than 29.5's and of course so are the smaller sizes.
I wouldn't bother with an exhaust on a Honda, all you'll gain is noise, no power unless you plan in spending a lot on a full motor build.

Also.... Any lift, even a 2" bracket lift on a rancher will need a swing arm and shaft stretch in order to stop the UJ binding.

This is a rubicon, not a rancher.

 

[Sadlerracing529]

There are several recent posts about tire sizes and lots of old posts about the subject. Please search the forum. I think the info will be helpful to you in your final decision because you need to give it some serious thought.

You're correct to consider the weight of the tires. The weight is even more important than the size, but both must be considered equally when determining just how much damage you'll be doing to the bike. Those HL springs are not any form of guarantee that the suspension and frame will hold up to a large heavy tire. So, big heavy tires will damage your "absolutely near mint" Rubicon. If you told me you bought a well-used Rubicon I wouldn't be so concerned about what you're about to do to it. <img src="http://www.hondaatvforums.net/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" /> Obviously, I'm not a mud rider. I'm sure the muddies will chime in on this post.

Thanks for the input, i have been doing lots of searching and thats how i came up with my list above. Nothing is a gaurantee yet as i just got the bike. But as im sure you know with just searching theres "1000 ways to skin a cat" lol. Just so many different answers and opinions ive been finding. Thats why i asked a little more specifically.

 

[Sadlerracing529]

Here is the wheeler. Extremely good shape, i bought it through my uncles estate. He bought it new and cared for it extremely well

 

[GirlsRideToo]

Thanks for the input, i have been doing lots of searching and thats how i came up with my list above. Nothing is a gaurantee yet as i just got the bike. But as im sure you know with just searching theres "1000 ways to skin a cat" lol. Just so many different answers and opinions ive been finding. Thats why i asked a little more specifically.

Yes, the opinions/advice about tires can be confusing. However, you've come to the right place. @SamUK probably saw my name and assumed we were discussing a Rancher. That's not like him. He's one of the experts here on mud mods and you can take what he tells you as solid advice. I'm sure he'll chime in again.


Wow, that's a nice Rubicon! Hate to see it get muddy at his age. :eek
I have a 2014 Rancher 420FM that I purchased last summer. The previous owner put on 27" Swamp Lite tires all around. The damage was insane for a 4 year old bike. It's like a demon must take over when big tires, a snorkel and other mud mods are made. The owner believes the bike will go anyway and do anything and all the mods make the bike unbreakable.

If you can work on the bike yourself then go for all the mods you like. Just know that the day will come when you'll have to start replacing seals, bearings, boots, CV joints, brakes... to mention only a few repairs. If you have to pay for these repairs you'll be in for a major shock. I have over $1,000.00 in parts only, no labor. Oh, be sure to check with your local Honda dealer. Mine will not work on a bike that has a snorkel.

Just because a snorkel will keep water out of the engine doesn't mean the rest of the bike isn't damaged by water and mud. All the other parts aren't waterproof. LOL

Lastly, larger tires are going to make that bike handle differently than it does now. I suggest you ride someone else's bike that has the tires you want and see if you like the ride and handling. I hate my tires and plan to replace them soon. I ride in lots of tight places and hate the feeling of wresting with the steering and long turning radius. But, part of that is that I'm a girl, so.......
Just some things to think about. :smile

 

[Sadlerracing529]

I appreciate all the info. I should mention I am not new to atv's or mudding or what mods do to bikes. I am experienced in the accelerated rate of wear and tear lol. And yes i do all my own work and maintainence. This is just my first honda, and ive never wheeled with anyone that rode a honda so i was posting this in specifics seeing if i missed something, like a little quirk with the bike or something. Like how above it was mentioned that when lifting a rancher you need to extend it as well.

 

[mrbb]

I think you'll be so so happy with the set up
I would maybe prefer to say a larger GR and skip the noisy exhaust, the costs of the exhaust IMO< are not worth the small gains and the added noise it then makes
unless you the type that like a loud annoying atv LOL and then have at it I guess!

 

[Sadlerracing529]

I think you'll be so so happy with the set up
I would maybe prefer to say a larger GR and skip the noisy exhaust, the costs of the exhaust IMO< are not worth the small gains and the added noise it then makes
unless you the type that like a loud annoying atv LOL and then have at it I guess!

No not really out for loud lol. I just know on my old Yamaha's the pipe really woke them up so i just figured...lol
What is the best GR for the money?

 

[mrbb]

homda 's do gain any real HP from a exhaust, in there 4x4 atvs
sport atv's, another story
all you IMO get is noise!
I am not a mud guy, but what I do know is this, your honda has about 30 hp or less, going up 3+ inches over stock tires, your changing gear rations

there are other mud guys here that will add better info than me,
I know NO one that said there STOCK honda had too much HP on 25's
so when you go to 28 inch and heaver tires than stock, your robbing a bunch of HP that's hiring the ground!
and not sure where you value, speed over ability to turn tires, how much work money you want to spend to gain a little ground clearance or have the look of a big tire atv!

to some no amount of time or $$ seems to be too much, to others??

some folks run 30" tires on stock atv's and are happy too, I never get this, but maybe they like looks more than performance and that makes them happy, or they drive down hills lot , I don;t know! LOL
I do know I have never been on a stock honda 4x4 atv I felt had too much power, that I wanted to loose some of it HAHA< but again, this is me

I used atv's as a tool more than a toy

 

[GirlsRideToo]

I appreciate all the info. I should mention I am not new to atv's or mudding or what mods do to bikes. I am experienced in the accelerated rate of wear and tear lol. And yes i do all my own work and maintainence. This is just my first honda, and ive never wheeled with anyone that rode a honda so i was posting this in specifics seeing if i missed something, like a little quirk with the bike or something. Like how above it was mentioned that when lifting a rancher you need to extend it as well.

Silly me for misunderstanding and telling you things you already know. That will teach me to ask more questions before responding.

I hope @retro, @fishfiles, @Goober, @Manny, @_Wilson_, @Jeepwm69 and others will chime in. It is their duty to get me out of hot water. :shocked:

Good luck with your project!

 

[SamUK]

Apologies for the mistake in thinking this was a rancher, I'd read a thread previous to this about a rancher!

Realistically for mudding I'd do the following...

Snorkel and jets to suit or a tuner. 2" bracket lift. Extended vent lines. Rear swing arm and shaft stretch. Minimum of 50% GR and tyres between 28 and 30 inches. (I personally would opt for a skinny tire set up, personal choice though of course)

BKT's are cheap and relatively light, very good and comparable to all the top brand choices of tires on the market.

I have 28" mega mayhem's on my foreman 450 with no GR, useless in the peanut butter mud unless I use 1st gear, even then it does struggle at times. A great tire, they do dig a little and are slightly heavier than other options out there. Tire choice is a very personal thing I think.

Check out 'mud puppy' on you tube, he did a few great tire reviews not long ago, very informative and very useful, definitely worth a search.

 

[Sadlerracing529]

I appreciate all the info. I should mention I am not new to atv's or mudding or what mods do to bikes. I am experienced in the accelerated rate of wear and tear lol. And yes i do all my own work and maintainence. This is just my first honda, and ive never wheeled with anyone that rode a honda so i was posting this in specifics seeing if i missed something, like a little quirk with the bike or something. Like how above it was mentioned that when lifting a rancher you need to extend it as well.

Silly me for misunderstanding and telling you things you already know. That will teach me to ask more questions before responding.

I hope @retro, @fishfiles, @Goober, @Manny, @_Wilson_, @Jeepwm69 and others will chime in. It is their duty to get me out of hot water.

Good luck with your project!

No worries, my original post did kind of sound like i was new to this in general, not just new to hondas so my apologies

 

[Sadlerracing529]

Mrbb i gave up speed awhile back when i got rid of my banshee and raptor lol. My concerns now are torque and getting through the the things i have to get through. My atv is used for riding trails to get to our local pipeline water holes, playing in a creek, and some use for hunting...so its mostly a toy for me. And i know im giving up power for the tires but i need the tire height. Bigger tires will not be installed until i have a gear reduction

 

[Sadlerracing529]

Apologies for the mistake in thinking this was a rancher, I'd read a thread previous to this about a rancher!

Realistically for mudding I'd do the following...

Snorkel and jets to suit or a tuner. 2" bracket lift. Extended vent lines. Rear swing arm and shaft stretch. Minimum of 50% GR and tyres between 28 and 30 inches. (I personally would opt for a skinny tire set up, personal choice though of course)

BKT's are cheap and relatively light, very good and comparable to all the top brand choices of tires on the market.

I have 28" mega mayhem's on my foreman 450 with no GR, useless in the peanut butter mud unless I use 1st gear, even then it does struggle at times. A great tire, they do dig a little and are slightly heavier than other options out there. Tire choice is a very personal thing I think.

Check out 'mud puppy' on you tube, he did a few great tire reviews not long ago, very informative and very useful, definitely worth a search.

No worries. Thanks for the advice. Whats the best GR for the money? Also do you or anyone know where i can find a radiator relocate kit for this? Im not seeing them anywhere and i really dont feel like fabbing one up but will if i have to

 

[SamUK]

I just searched eBay quickly and it seems highlifter do relocate kits. I'm in the UK and that's all that showed up for me, im sure a search by yourself will show more options.

With regards to the GR's, your going to be looking at $600 or somewhere in that region, all depends on your choice of tire size really. I'd be opting for around 50% for trail riding and occasional mudding assuming you would run a 29.5 skinny outlaw setup. I've attached a screen shot of reduction boss price list for you.

 

[SamUK]

I should add... Anything less than 50% and you'll be disappointed in the mud, anything more and you'll be disappointed in the trails. Either way you will compensate for one type of riding more than the other, theres no in between really unless you have two ATV's.

To give you a general idea, my 300 had 28 skinnies on and a 54% GR, screaming it topped out at 32mph on the GPS and was comfortable cruising at 18/20 mph. It pulled well in the mud though which was it's main objective. For trails I'd have chosen 34.5%.

 

[Sadlerracing529]

Thanks for all the advice samuk. Ill do some more specific research now