Todd's 2019 Talon X trail build

[toddvdh]

Here it is on. I decided to leave work early!!

 

[toddvdh]

I got my light bar mounted this morning. It’s a 14” one from harbor freight. I had taken it off my ranger before I sold it. It should be more or less protected by the front bumper.

Now the fun part of wiring it in comes.

 

[toddvdh]

Got it wired in. While I was doing it I changed the winch trigger to be key on so my kids don’t run the winch while the key is off in the garage.

The previous owner had a few holes in the dash with rubber plugs, so I took a dremel and made one work for a switch I bought.

There was a hole drilled in the compartment under the gauge, not really sure why such a big hole, but I glued the rubber plug from the switch hole in.

 

[toddvdh]

And the past few days I took apart my kids old lt-80 and repainted it. It was pretty rough (plastic cracked) when I bought it, so I zip tie stitched it up. This is the 2nd time I’ve painted it. But it runs good and I only paid $200 for it 3 years ago.

 

[toddvdh]

I bought a box today for the rear. It was only $29. I’ll probably just add a couple eye bolts and strap it down. I don’t always need a box but sometimes it will be handy.

 

[toddvdh]

Here is how my rear shocks came. Tenders compressed, and cranked way down to 5-3/4” from the top of the shock.

I have about 14-1/2” of clearance in the rear, and 13-1/2” in the front. Measured from the ground to the skid plate on the center of axle. I’ll be trying to get the front up a little more

I put the rear bandit tender springs on today. I used TerryH (from YouTube and this site) suggestions. I set the rear at 4” of “preload”. The measurements to the rear skid plate was 14-5/8”. So the bandit tenders do raise the rear end, and the machine actually moves now when I jump on the rear bumper.

Here are the bandit tenders vs the stock tenders.

 

[toddvdh]

My front shocks only have 3-1/2” of “preload”, so if I go to the 5” on TerryH suggestion, it should raise the front where I want it to be.

 

[TripleB]

I bought a box today for the rear. It was only $29. I’ll probably just add a couple eye bolts and strap it down. I don’t always need a box but sometimes it will be handy.

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Where did you buy the box?

 

[CID]

There are already 4 D-rings in the bed, I used them to tie down a similar TSC box. Remember Terry changed all his springs IIRC so his preload probably won't be your preload.

 

[toddvdh]

Where did you buy the box?

from menards. It was kind of an impulse purchase.

 

[906UP]

Don't worry about preload, adjust by "ride height", I played around with mine until I got it where I like it. I think I settled on 13.75" front & 13" rear measured from the skid plate to the floor. A little more height in the front is good for handling

 

[toddvdh]

There are already 4 D-rings in the bed, I used them to tie down a similar TSC box. Remember Terry changed all his springs IIRC so his preload probably won't be your preload.

He did a just tenders video then he did a full spring package later. The numbers at least give me a starting point since bandit doesn’t give any info.

 

[toddvdh]

Don't worry about preload, adjust by "ride height", I played around with mine until I got it where I like it. I think I settled on 13.75" front & 13" rear measured from the skid plate to the floor. A little more height in the front is good for handling

I got one of the fronts changed today. The bandit tender spring is about 1" shorter than the stock tender, but is way stiffer.

I snugged the nut down where the springs aren't rattling. Then I added about 1-1/2" of real preload. I'll change the other one and put them back on and set ride height in the front. I've read 1/2"-1" higher in front for good handling. Thanks.

 

[toddvdh]

I ended up setting my preloads at 5” front and 4” rear. It gives me 15” of clearance in the front, and 14” in the rear. I’ll fine tune these after I go for a ride this weekend.

This weekend will be the first time I actually drive it more than around my yard and neighborhood. The trails by my cabin aren’t open until may 1st, but I can hit some fire roads and trails through county forest.

I spent $30 and bought some polycarbonate to rig up a short windshield to see if I like it. Attached with zip ties for this weekend.

 

[toddvdh]

I added some u-bolts to the box by the 4 d-rings in the bed. I decided just to zip-tie them for now. It’s actually rock solid and this may be how I keep it. 🤪

 

[toddvdh]

My shock covers also came in. They are pretty nice for $61.50 on eBay with free shipping. They are a waterproof material with Velcro down the whole backside.

The rear ones fit right over the plastic protectors, so l left them on. It’s pretty snug so I am going to have to keep an eye on them so the plastic doesn’t rip them. I may end up taking the plastic protectors off.

 

[CID]

I'd double or triple those zip ties, they're going to get 'worked' in this application. Or get the 1/2" zip ties, even better.

I never thought about putting my shock covers over the plastic shields, I squeezed them in between the shield and spring. I have Shock Therapy's front limit straps on the way - they use a nylon strap around a coil midway down to control flapping so I'll have to slit the covers unless that strap is long enough to go all the way around the spring.

 

[Isaiah]

im just curious. What do the shock covers do?

 

[TripleB]

im just curious. What do the shock covers do?

X2

 

[toddvdh]

I put them on mainly for looks. I'll take them off and wash underneath every few rides. Maybe they give a little protection against mud, but mainly looks.