Quest to fit 25" Vamps on Hustler

[mightymaxIV]

Thanks Meinfeld,

Pulling my truck out is a very real possibility....they sold it as a 2 wheel drive Cherokee...but it is actually 1 wheel drive (several good stories here). But that was my plan, have a 2 wheel drive SUV for the street (I drive a lot), with a capable ATV....the only thing I did not consider was that to get my trailered, capable ATV to the outdoors, there is rarely paved parking. I've been kicking around looking for a 4x4 Cherokee.

Hey Roger,

Yeah, I am really light right now...It will be interesting once I get the motor and trans in, plus, putting the top on and side supports on will raise the lower body some. BTW, I did talk with Matt and he runs about 1-2 psi on his Vamps and said they will swim at this psi. Also, I really like the rims...it was funny watching those Discount guys trying to seat the tires!

Hey MightyMax,

Not too worried about the sides...I have plenty of room. I unknowingly made a good choice with my inner bearings. I went with a different type that is stronger and they moved my axles out about 1.25" over stock. Figured I would ask you...do Vamps swim with V facing forward, or do you have to reverse them to swim?

That is really cool that you wound up with so much inside space!!!Vampires will swim forward or backward, control is the issue. If you have all the V's facing forward it will be difficult to turn in water. One forward backward forward will give you more control for turning in the water although I must say it will not turn as well as regular AATV tires. Hope this helps. Congradulations on your new tires! You should be unstoppable now!

[boncrshr]

I took the Hustler out on a short ride today. The Vampires did not rub anywhere and rode really good and soft. Softer than the 22" Rawhides and much softer than the Kenda's. Top speed seemed better with the taller tires. They are harder to turn however. I couldn't find any mud, so those are about my only perceptions.

The red clutch spring really seemed to wake the Hustler up...it really launched with authority. Chain adjusters were good too, no chain slap and they stayed tight.

[hdble]

Hey, glad to hear all is working well.
I would hate to think that you "hammered" your hand for nothing.
Let us know how they work in the mud. I have run Interco tires on my jeep before, tough tire, very durable. You should be very happy with them from that standpoint,hope they swim well for you.

[boncrshr]

Thanks HD,

The hand is better...the funny thing is that I now handle hammers with as much respect as firearms! I'm pretty excited about the tires, they are all business though. Doing the whole skid steer donut thing is a thing of the past, they really seem to grip.

The other thing I was thinking today is that anytime you completely take your machine apart, new Gremlins always show up. I adjusted the bands on the bench, but they weren't perfect, the belt that I bought is a little loose, and I have oil leaking from somewhere?? Minor stuff though.....

However; the most exciting thing we did today was to cut about 2.5 feet off of the ramp of my trailer, so that it is a little lower than the front of the Hustler, no more parachute effect. A buddy let us use his plasma cutter...very nice!

[hdble]

Plasma cutters are cool toys, makes you want to just keep cutting things.
Once the gremlins are worked out, lookout fun here we come. nice reliable toys are great.

[Meinfield]

I took the Hustler out on a short ride today. The Vampires did not rub anywhere and rode really good and soft. Softer than the 22" Rawhides and much softer than the Kenda's. Top speed seemed better with the taller tires. They are harder to turn however. I couldn't find any mud, so those are about my only perceptions.

The red clutch spring really seemed to wake the Hustler up...it really launched with authority. Chain adjusters were good too, no chain slap and they stayed tight.

Can't wait to see how those shoes do in the mud; Post some video if you can.
I officially have tire envy.
Chris

[boncrshr]

Ok, after an extended tire test...I officially love them, and think they are the absolute best choice for a Hustler 950, period!

They ride very smooth, swim well with all V's facing forward, and mudding capability is really good. The main thing I learned is to just take it slow through the mud and let the tires paddle. If I gave it too much throttle, the tires would dig and I would high-center.

But I really feel like between the tires and red clutch spring, it is a new machine.

[mudbug3]

boncrshr ,

I was really impressed with the over all ability of your Hustler 950 with the 25 inch Vampires . They swam fairly well , and went through all the mud we drove through , even better . Every time I looked back your Hustler was right behind me . We sure put your Hustler 950 to the test that day , did,nt we ? That was the most fun I,ve ever had with my Max IV , since the day I bought it . Truthfully though , I would not have taken my Max IV , by myself , into the places we drove our machines that day . Any place that I thought I could take my Max IV , I went , and you were right behind in that Hustler .

[boncrshr]

Oh yeah, I definitely had a blast too....that was the first time I have ever been riding just for fun, and it was great. The only downside is the clean up. On the bright side...no chain adjusting.

Thanks to that ride I have a little more confidence in the Hustler, after a complete teardown like that you always wonder what's gonna go wrong?? Very cool, plus I learned some about driving and I don't think you can over-estimate how important that is.

[mightymaxIV]

Driving

Oh yeah, I definitely had a blast too....that was the first time I have ever been riding just for fun, and it was great. The only downside is the clean up. On the bright side...no chain adjusting.

Thanks to that ride I have a little more confidence in the Hustler, after a complete teardown like that you always wonder what's gonna go wrong?? Very cool, plus I learned some about driving and I don't think you can over-estimate how important that is.

Scott, I have learned that there are certain things that you can only learn by watching other AATV's. While I sit and wonder about a mud pit or a hill Mike or McCoy dive into it and are showing me that there is not a problem. Every time you go into new terrain you have to sit and wonder how you machine will handle it. So far i have learned that about the only thing a maxIV doesn't handle well is gummy mud without water that clogs between the tires and wheel wells and turns the tires into gum balls. Not that it won't out do quads and etc. but the soft gummy mud presents serious problems for my max, and you may have a better machine for those type of situations!I have also noticed that the vampires work better with a slow and easy throttle. Going to fast simply digs them in. Just go slow and let the traction work for you.