Vondy's 1000X-2 / Then 1000X-4 Builds

[Vondy]

Quick Summary - I highly suggest avoiding Bob Luketic at FCR and Jim Harter at 602UTV

Details.

7-30 - Ordered full kit of FCR springs and crossover rings from Jim Harter at 602 UTV. They called me and talked about what setup I had, weights, and what I wanted to achieve. Seem like great guys.

8-6 - Made contact on order status. Told it shipped sent me tracking number. Tracking number was not mine. Continued to try to make contact with no luck.

8-14 - Followed up again. Told he is catching up on orders, will ship soon.

8-16 - Recieved Tender spring kit, NOT what I ordered. I ordered and paid for full kit of 8 springs and crossover rings. Paint/Powder coat was poor quality, lots of chips and missed area.

8-23 - Still nothing. Requested refund. Said he will get to me monday. Seems to be a falling out between sellor and supplier. Lots of crap on facebook. Try to work with FCR directly so I don't get screwed. More promises

9-9 - No refund yet. Excuses and loss of contact. Working with FCR I get another shipment. This time 8 springs but no crossover rings. Also no identification of which spring goes and still crappy paint. Try to make contact by cell phone, shop phone, and text. No answer.

9-12 - Still no luck contacting. Sent back springs and disputed charge on credit card.

Overall, lots of broken promises, incorrect product, crappy product and lies. I have worked with these two for over 40 days to get their product. Trying to give them the benefit of the doubt throughout this ordeal. Just wanted to warn others. I have had contact with at least 1 other that have gotten the same run around and had to dispute with Credit card to get money back.

MOVING ON.
Is there any other good options out there besides shock therapy to improve ride on the 1000X?

 

[Bigshow]

Never have any dealings with either, but hate to hear of your difficulties. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Ezgoin]

Wow, crazy stuff. Bummer’

 

[Vondy]

Had a decent ride at Tecumseh Trails, Hemlock OH this weekend. Decent place to play for a day or two, not much challenging other than a couple hill climbs unless you like mud holes, plenty of those. They had a fair amount of trails and some sights to see. I don't know that I would go back unless looking for a quick, close 1 day ride, but a good place overall.

I did learn a little about the Talon. On long hard slippery hill climbs, automatic mode wouldn't make it. With wheel speed it would up shift thru the gears then when it found traction again, it wouldnt have the power in the higher gear and couldnt downshift fast enough to keep momentum up. Had to go to manual mode and made it up in 3rd gear high, no problem after that. But hill was extremely packed with fresh rain on it making it very greasy.

 

[PaulF]

MOVING ON.
Is there any other good options out there besides shock therapy to improve ride on the 1000X?

Not sure about other options but I can tell you my experience with Shock Therapy...

• Monday 2:10 AM placed order for spring kit.
• Monday 8:38 AM Order shipped and tracking number supplied.
• Wednesday 1:20 PM Order delivered.
• Everything was there, marked for install location and packed extremely well!
• Very impressed with their service, I hope their product is as good.

 

[TerryH]

I just received my tender springs from Bandit UTV. I spoke with Ted the owner and he seems quite knowledgeable. Can't beat the price. $200 for all 4 tenders. Will be installing them next week so know more after that but have confidence given the reviews of their products and service.

https://www.banditutvsuspension.com/

 

[DRKnight]

I will be waiting for your evaluation of there tender spring kit.
I did not see any cross over rings in there kit to make them a true dual rate setup.
So not sure how much of a improvement it will make. Will be standing by.

I went with the shock therapy system which changed the tender and main springs with the added cross over rings.
There was a considerable difference in spring coil diameter and length in both the tender spring and main springs.
And the ride improvement was considerable, but it did cost a little more.
Pictures of the Shock therapy springs on my X, the rear tender spring is 4 1/2" longer and that's under load compared to the stock tender spring at 3" with no load the front one are also longer than stock.

 

[TerryH]

My background is virtually 100% automotive so shock and spring theory on a UTV is new to me but Ted explained that they do not use crossover rings in their shocks. Some shock guys use them. Some do not. I noticed that companies like Racer Tech also go without the crossovers. The more I read about them them more I see that the crossover is there to transfer the remainder of the spring travel to the lower spring. The Bandit tenders are shorter and appear to be made of heavier wire vs the ST ones. Seems like the shorter spring would have the similar effect as the crossover stopping the travel in the upper spring but what do I know? lol...

I don't want to muddy up Vondy's thread. I'll post in my build thread when I get them changed and report on the difference.

Rears are 3.5". Fronts are 4.25".

 

[DRKnight]

My background is virtually 100% automotive so shock and spring theory on a UTV is new to me but Ted explained that they do not use crossover rings in their shocks. Some shock guys use them. Some do not. I noticed that companies like Racer Tech also go without the crossovers. The more I read about them them more I see that the crossover is there to transfer the remainder of the spring travel to the lower spring. The Bandit tenders are shorter and appear to be made of heavier wire vs the ST ones. Seems like the shorter spring would have the similar effect as the crossover stopping the travel in the upper spring but what do I know? lol...

I don't want to muddy up Vondy's thread. I'll post in my build thread when I get them changed and report on the difference.

Rears are 3.5". Fronts are 4.25".

View attachment 159219

My background is virtually 100% automotive so shock and spring theory on a UTV is new to me but Ted explained that they do not use crossover rings in their shocks. Some shock guys use them. Some do not. I noticed that companies like Racer Tech also go without the crossovers. The more I read about them them more I see that the crossover is there to transfer the remainder of the spring travel to the lower spring. The Bandit tenders are shorter and appear to be made of heavier wire vs the ST ones. Seems like the shorter spring would have the similar effect as the crossover stopping the travel in the upper spring but what do I know? lol...

I don't want to muddy up Vondy's thread. I'll post in my build thread when I get them changed and report on the difference.

Rears are 3.5". Fronts are 4.25".

View attachment 159219

Vondy has done a great job on his documenting his mods and can be a lot of help to all of us. That to me is what this forum is all about.
As for the springs, I am no expert either. And if yours work out to help the ride, then we all benefit for a lower cost option.
And looking forward to your updates on them...DRK

 

[Vondy]

Time for a winch addition.

Warn Axon 55-S
L&W Fab winch plate

 

[TerryH]

Nice looking pair. The winch is next on my list of things. Interested in seeing your thought on the L&W mount also.

 

[Vondy]

Ride Royal Blue 11/22 and 11/23/2019

Great short trip to Ride Royal Blue despite some kidney stone issues.

 

[Vondy]

Time to start updating this post again. Got a few things black Friday and Cyber Monday that need installed

- L&W rear high clearance Radius Rods
- SuperATV front high clearance arms
- SuperATV Tailgate- Will be used primarily as a mounting location for rotopax
- Lifetime Trail maps app

Still want tires, beadlocks, HD skid plate, and suspension improvement.

 

[jasond]

Time to start updating this post again. Got a few things black Friday and Cyber Monday that need installed

- L&W rear high clearance Radius Rods
- SuperATV front high clearance arms
- SuperATV Tailgate- Will be used primarily as a mounting location for rotopax
- Lifetime Trail maps app

Still want tires, beadlocks, HD skid plate, and suspension improvement.

I highly recommend the 3/8" Factory UTV skid plate I've got. It fit perfectly and the UHMW has held up exceptionally well to some harsh rock hits. I did not opt for the X-brace, but it's a neat available add-on. I've got some pictures in this post in my build thread.

They also offer a 1/2" thick option that'd be that much more protection as well.

 

[Vondy]

Seems I am always lacking storage in the Talon. I stumbled on these dry bags and they worked out great for some budget storage by attaching to the rollbar. Lot of mounting options in the Talon as well as other machines. Under $30 for 2.

https://amzn.to/2SxZXhF

https://amzn.to/2SxZXhF

 

[TerryH]

Seems I am always lacking storage in the Talon. I stumbled on these dry bags and they worked out great for some budget storage by attaching to the rollbar. Lot of mounting options in the Talon as well as other machines. Under $30 for 2.

https://amzn.to/2SxZXhF

View attachment 172689
View attachment 172690

https://amzn.to/2SxZXhF

I like the look of those bags a lot! Great addition.

 

[Ezgoin]

Talon 1000X build with parts info and ride pics.

Started offroading in the late 90s when Jeeps were the main off road vehicle. I spent many years wheeling and building them. As SXSs became popular and family commitments limiting my ability to ride I looked to switch to SXS. I liked that they were smaller, easier to haul, and could haul multiple with out needing large truck and trailer. Many friends started switching to RZRs and then Can Ams. So I started looking but didn't like the belt drives, how they engaged and ease of slipping belt. Belts just didn't seem to fit with the low speed crawling of obstacles we were used to. It became evident that Honda was the way to go. Since they did not have sport, I went with a cheap P500 to get me buy until they released. While I love and still have the P500, I jumped on the Talon as soon as I could. Here is my build and parts used.

Purchased with Talon
- Honda Nerf - https://amzn.to/2IjY1Th
- Honda Aluminum - https://amzn.to/2EWqVrP
- Honda Lower Door Extensions - https://amzn.to/2t6Duhj
- Honda Cover - https://amzn.to/2tOphFV


The following aftermarket items followed.
Switch Pros - https://amzn.to/2ESIYza
Rough Country 12" - https://amzn.to/2WoLqs7
Super ATV Flip - https://amzn.to/2EXiywi
Infinity 4100 - Replaced by JBL - https://amzn.to/2MyzUpi
TYT 8600 - https://amzn.to/2Wo6MWw
Antenna - https://amzn.to/2WoKTq7
Antenna Wire - https://amzn.to/2KtNOX7
Rear View - https://amzn.to/2ESGKQ8
Roll bar mount - https://amzn.to/2IjCc6o
Ram X grip mount - https://amzn.to/2EUBeg9
Overhead power - https://amzn.to/2EVCqzJ
Pod Lights https://amzn.to/2Mr6r0n
Storage Box - https://amzn.to/2MMpUZZ
Warn Axon 55-s - https://amzn.to/2ltUTgs
Winch Mount - L & W - Does not work with Axon on the Talon - Explained in winch post below
KFI winch Mount - https://amzn.to/2QBxaXh
Lifetime trail maps - Lifetime Trail Maps Home
Dry Bags - https://amzn.to/2SxZXhF
Tailgate SuperATV - https://amzn.to/37dcwDh

To be installed
L&W High Clearance Radious rods
SuperATV Front arms - https://amzn.to/2tRxhpD

Future addons
Factory UTV Skid plate
Suspension improvements
30-32" Carnivores on Beadlocks

Misc Items used
- Clamps - https://amzn.to/2JXL1WN
- Clamps Slim Rear lights - https://amzn.to/2EU0a7j
- Clamps Slim Brushgaurd - https://amzn.to/2EU0LWB
- Honda Brite Cleaner - https://amzn.to/31aQSNU
Wiring Supplies
- Solder seal connectors - https://amzn.to/2MwXXFb
- Heat shrink terminals - https://amzn.to/2WobIdK
- 8 Position Terminal (1 used for accesories power) - https://amzn.to/2Wsdpa8
- 4 Postion Terminal (1 used for ground terminal) - https://amzn.to/2EODbL1
- Shrink Tube https://amzn.to/31fqvqf

Trail Rides
- Wildcat Offroad 3/29-30/2019
- Ride Royal Blue 5/2-5/2019
- Rush 6/29-6/30/2019
- Tecumseh Trails 9/27 - 9/29/2019
- Ride Royal Blue 11/22 - 11/23/2019

View attachment 122382 View attachment 122383

***** I WILL CONTINUE ADDING MORE INFORMATION, DETAILS, AND LINKS *****

That’s a great build! Thanks for taking the time and effort to list all your goods! How do you like the Axom winch? How was the winch and mounting plate install?

 

[Vondy]

That’s a great build! Thanks for taking the time and effort to list all your goods! How do you like the Axom winch? How was the winch and mounting plate install?

Thanks,

Axon winch seems nice and is super easy to install. My KFI winch mount should arrive today, The LandWFab mount does not work correctly with the Axon due to the line rubbing the housing. I have not had to use the winch to know any more.

 

[Ezgoin]

Thanks,

Axon winch seems nice and is super easy to install. My KFI winch mount should arrive today, The LandWFab mount does not work correctly with the Axon due to the line rubbing the housing. I have not had to use the winch to know any more.

I have an 18 RZR 900 Trail that I just got all fixed up before I decided I wanted the Talon. I put a WARN ProVantage 3500 in the RZR that I may remove and install in the Talon, but I sure do like the look and simplicity of the AXON! Haven’t decided what to do with the 900 Trail yet. I do have a soft spot for the little Trail! It’s been a great little machine and I’ve got about $5000 in goodies on it, not much of which can be transferred to the Talon! Ugh

 

[Vondy]

Time to start prepping for spring ride at Wildcat and then Takeover!

L&W rear radius arms now installed. Went on easy and look great. Wish they had more clearance out by the wheels. Before and after pics:

Honda Talon Radius Rods (X Model)

Honda Talon Radius Rods ( X EDITION ONLY) These Radius Rods are made out of 6061 Aluminum. The raw option is a billet finish. Made in the USA

landwfab.com