Soon to be a Honda Pioneer owner

stnbenn2001

stnbenn2001

Member
Jul 23, 2020
11
31
13
Lake Placid Fl.
Ownership

  1. Do not currently own
Hi all, just joined to read and search for info on the Honda Pioneer 500. I live in south central Florida and though in a subdivision community, very near near the boonies which is mostly sugar sand, scrub brush and trees, and no hills at all. Presently use a gas EzGo golf cart with rear flip seat. Mosly run on paved and gravel roads as the golf cart won't travel the sand very well, but lots of trails.

I'm presently in Mi. but will be full time in Florida in about a month. I like the Pioneer 500 for the price and Honda reliability and will be buying one as soon as we return to Fl. I am still not sure that I understand if the claim of 2wd/4wd is legit if there are aftermarket dif. lockers available for these. My question is, is this a three wheel drive with the front differential simply a limited slip meaning if one wheel in front slips or spins, then the engagement switches to the other wheel or locks up both front wheels? Dealer is not much help with tech advice, and manufacturer does not really elaborate. It doesnt really matter that much as I will be running on sand and no real getting stuck problem, but still would like to know how the drive system works. Its my understanding that both differentials are powered through driveshafts. Thanks for any feedback. Stan
 
Russ989

Russ989

Land of the free because of the Brave! 🇺🇸
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Dec 18, 2017
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Missouri
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  1. 1000-5
Hi all, just joined to read and search for info on the Honda Pioneer 500. I live in south central Florida and though in a subdivision community, very near near the boonies which is mostly sugar sand, scrub brush and trees, and no hills at all. Presently use a gas EzGo golf cart with rear flip seat. Mosly run on paved and gravel roads as the golf cart won't travel the sand very well, but lots of trails.

I'm presently in Mi. but will be full time in Florida in about a month. I like the Pioneer 500 for the price and Honda reliability and will be buying one as soon as we return to Fl. I am still not sure that I understand if the claim of 2wd/4wd is legit if there are aftermarket dif. lockers available for these. My question is, is this a three wheel drive with the front differential simply a limited slip meaning if one wheel in front slips or spins, then the engagement switches to the other wheel or locks up both front wheels? Dealer is not much help with tech advice, and manufacturer does not really elaborate. It doesnt really matter that much as I will be running on sand and no real getting stuck problem, but still would like to know how the drive system works. Its my understanding that both differentials are powered through driveshafts. Thanks for any feedback. Stan
The rear diff is locked all of the time, no selection for that. Your 4wd is one wheel up front, you can cure this by installing a locker that is currently on the market.
 
NTCPrezJB

NTCPrezJB

President of #NTC
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Jan 30, 2018
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Canton, OH
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The rear diff is locked all of the time, no selection for that. Your 4wd is one wheel up front, you can cure this by installing a locker that is currently on the market.
To elaborate... in 4wd both front wheels will pull if both have traction. There is no traction control, if one front wheel slips it gets "all" the power. The after market locker solves that if it becomes an issue for you.
 
Mudwing

Mudwing

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Jul 9, 2017
36,959
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The Mud holes
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  1. 700-4
Welcome from the mud holes of WNY. The fellas here will answer any questions you have. A lot of knowledge here. 😉😎
When you purchase post a pic here. We love pics. 😉😎🤣
#ntc🤘🏾
 
100Acre

100Acre

Samsquinch the Terrible Magic Bean Manipulator
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Apr 25, 2017
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Idaho
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STAN THE MAN....bet you hadn't heard that before....I once knew a Stan from Tampa. we called him Stan the man, go figure.....back then we didn't have alll the other weird pronouns and identities. otherwise , he could have been called Stan the Germinated Peanut Butter Mandriller of Man/Girls and all he she and its. kinda like that Polaris owner paddle ball playing Jenner gender bender Manthing....oh, and welcome....
 
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Smitty335

Smitty335

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Oct 3, 2016
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NWA Arkansas
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  2. 1000-5
Hi all, just joined to read and search for info on the Honda Pioneer 500. I live in south central Florida and though in a subdivision community, very near near the boonies which is mostly sugar sand, scrub brush and trees, and no hills at all. Presently use a gas EzGo golf cart with rear flip seat. Mosly run on paved and gravel roads as the golf cart won't travel the sand very well, but lots of trails.

I'm presently in Mi. but will be full time in Florida in about a month. I like the Pioneer 500 for the price and Honda reliability and will be buying one as soon as we return to Fl. I am still not sure that I understand if the claim of 2wd/4wd is legit if there are aftermarket dif. lockers available for these. My question is, is this a three wheel drive with the front differential simply a limited slip meaning if one wheel in front slips or spins, then the engagement switches to the other wheel or locks up both front wheels? Dealer is not much help with tech advice, and manufacturer does not really elaborate. It doesnt really matter that much as I will be running on sand and no real getting stuck problem, but still would like to know how the drive system works. Its my understanding that both differentials are powered through driveshafts. Thanks for any feedback. Stan
WELCOME! From NW Arkansas.
 
stnbenn2001

stnbenn2001

Member
Jul 23, 2020
11
31
13
Lake Placid Fl.
Ownership

  1. Do not currently own
Thanks all for the welcome. I'm old but I still like to tear around a little. The 500 should be just what I need and with no hills or mud in Fl. where we live, it should work fine. I have some hunting property close by and seem to always be building something that requires a utility vehicle. Looked at some of the Chineese stuff but after reading reviews and hearing that the one major supplier in Tx. was nearing bankruptsy, I decided cheap ain't the way to go.
 
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