NorthernGuy

Hi everyone, I've been doing more waiting-for-the-snow research and I found some people have been bending crossfire 700 tunnels. I'm a bit worried about doing this because I am a BIG guy and I have a 2up seat jack installed. I won't be an idiot and will not be doing jumps or anything hard like that, however I do know that dumb things happen, ice heaves, drifts, loss of control, etc, can lead to a hard bottoming out. Which from what I understand is what bends them?

Are tunnel braces worth it? Do they really help? They seem simple enough to install, has anyone installed them? I don't know if it's ok to post a link to another forum but here's where I read about crossfires tunnels bending and the guy in the thread also posted his product to prevent the problem:

The thread:
Tunnel supports - HCS Snowmobile Forums

The protector:


The problem:

BangerBoxoff

they are worth it and also add a little more color to the sled. my sleds dont have them as they are older and i dont get much air on them to worry about bending anything. Id say go for it if your a bigger guy and will have people on the back.

rgoers

Wow, that damage looks ugly. I'd go ahead and put them on, if only for the added peace of mind.

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Psycho

If you look at that damage, you can see that the force came from the rear of the sled.
If you operate your sled at a high rate of speed through moguls (Bumps) or jump it.
Save your money! Or it will be what the other post stated; you are purchasing a piece of mind.

NorthernGuy

I don't plan on hard riding,however I do have a seat jack (2nd person seat) installed on the rear so I can bring my wife and the odd friend ice fishing with me. I feel that myself I would be ok if I'm careful, but with a person riding on the back, that's alot of leverage. I think I'm going to go ahead and order a set, hopefully I don't muck up the install!

PolarisINDY500

personally, i dont think they're necessary for 2 up riding. i'd be more apt to use them if i was standing up all the time becuse your feet is where the impact transfers. instead of when you sit, the force goes thru your arse to the padded seat.

but in the long run, it cant hurt to have them.

that pic looks as if the sled went vertical or landed funny and got bent. it didnt look like it was just from the rider.

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NorthernGuy

Thanks for the reply, I'm glad to hear that what I'm doing isn't THAT extreme with the sled (as far as tunnel loading). I think I'm going to order them anyways as they are only 79$ and it'll give me the extra strength I need to prevent a big $$$ repair project if something happens.

rgoers

You've got "odd friends" too???

__________________
2000 ZL 550 (Solar Flare, #045/1000)
2000 440 Panther
1980 Jag 3000 F/C

"If it ain't broke, take it apart and find out why!"

Member: Canaltown Snowmobilers Inc.

NorthernGuy

I don't have odd friends, I have a whole PACK of odd friends lol

BRPforlife

If you have the cash than get them. I've bent the boards on my rev down. No serious damage but they arn't flat anymore. They look nice too.

MagicFusion

Northern Guy. Where are you ordering your tunnel braces from? I have been thinking about getting some blue ones for my Fusion. Any other places to get them would be great too. Thanks

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LETS RIDE!!!!!!!!!!!

NorthernGuy

I'm getting them from a guy on the HCS board who runs a shop. He's fabbing them himself as no one actually makes crossfire tunnel supports yet. If you go through the link I posted above it'll route to the thread he posted the pics and ad in.

MagicFusion

Thanks I will check it out

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LETS RIDE!!!!!!!!!!!

M_Jerew

how i see it if you paid high amount of x dollars id want to protect my investment in the long run it can hurt it certainly would hurt if a new tunnel was in order

NorthernGuy

Just thought I'd add the conclusion to the supports for others who are considering it for their XF's. I did get the supports ordered, the guy from HCS made a great set. Laser cut, properly angled and bent, powder coated black, with high strength black rivets included, and the feet on the side boards perfectly fit around the punched stars without a problem. Here's a pic or two:





EDIT: the last pic looks a bit "Scratchy", the camera picked up all sorts of snow crystals and some aluminum chips from the drilling lol, the supports are a perfect gloss black contrary to what they look like lol

rgoers

NICE! I bet it is a LOT sturdier now.

__________________
2000 ZL 550 (Solar Flare, #045/1000)
2000 440 Panther
1980 Jag 3000 F/C

"If it ain't broke, take it apart and find out why!"

Member: Canaltown Snowmobilers Inc.

NorthernGuy

We'll find out soon enough hehe, I think I've got a few guys ready to go this afternoon, we have to change the oil in an apex and the plugs on a buddies summit and we should be off for a bit anyways. The ice is almost completely driveable (safely) now. We've been averaging -15 to -20 for a while now.

RJ Gleason

Bring back some pic's then.

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NorthernGuy

Will do