[WinnebagoWarrior]

Was cruising around the Polaris web site and found that the Sportsman 1000 XP has this High Performance Close Ratio AWD. I might call my dealer tomorrow and ask what the response time difference is between a Ranger 900 XP vs the Sportsman 1000 XP.

I've read a few threads where folks were not happy with the less than stellar response time of the Rangers front diff lock time.

Mind you, I have no experience with the newer rangers. my last Ranger was a 2008 Browning Edition and I didn't seem to have any issues with front diff engagement times, but it seems that some folks have had troubles with their newer Rangers getting squirrely and if memory serves me correctly, some think the front should engage a little sooner.

Maybe that's the reason Polaris is offering the High Performance Close Ratio AWD in the big Sportsman , unless I'm misunderstanding what it really is.

I've been without a Ranger now for 3 years because, although the new 900 XP are more powerful and the Lock and Ride accessories are impressive, I've lost a lot of faith in the newer Rangers because of other concerns I see expressed here as of the last few years. Somewhere along the way I believe quality took it on the chin.

Not interested in any other brand out there. but I'll bide my time until Polaris addresses some issues that I've read about here.

 

[WinnebagoWarrior]

I see it's actually called High Performance Close Ratio On Demand AWD.

 

[carnivore]

I'd guess the close ratio is to make handling better. The standard ratio keeps the front end turning slower than the front which could make the front end push. A close ratio would make activation slower.

 

[WinnebagoWarrior]

Hey Curt , it's been a while.

Activation of the front diff is initiated by the difference in rear wheel speed vs front wheel speed while AWD is switched on , correct ? The idea of a front end that is geared equal to , or better yet a tad faster sounds to be a more efficient system to me. I remember years ago 4x4 pick ups would have for example a 4.10 front and a 4.11 rear , kept the front pulling just a fraction faster than the rear , meant for a more stable track.

 

[WinnebagoWarrior]

Well , I just got off the phone with my dealer and asked if this new system means a closer ratio between rear diff and front diff , or does it have something to do with how much the rear wheels have to slip before the front engages. Now mind you , this answer came from his mouth , not mine. He said they shortened up the distance the rear wheels need to "outspin" the fronts for a quicker front engagement.

I wish Polaris operated more like my 2011 1 ton Cummins Ram pick - up truck, where you have 4x4 when you select it , and you don't have to wait for rear tire spin for 4x4 operation.

Here's a question , does anybody actually know what the gear ratios are for the front and rear diffs on a 900 XP ranger. I'd sure like to know how much , if any , difference there is. Maybe if I called Ball Equipment they may know.

We actually have two separate functions going on when we talk about a Rangers AWD operating system. Now correct me if I'm wrong , but we have the time it takes for the AWD to initiate after the predetrermined amount of rear wheel spin and secondly how close are the front and rear diff ratios which will likely determine how the machine behaves in different enviroments once the machine is operating in AWD.

 

[Natethedog]

......Not interested in any other brand out there. but I'll bide my time until Polaris addresses some issues that I've read about here.

I hope you're younger than me, bro.:glee::encouragement:

 

[rocknroll]

I wish Polaris operated more like my 2011 1 ton Cummins Ram pick - up truck, where you have 4x4 when you select it , and you don't have to wait for rear tire spin for 4x4 operation.

Not me. I like the way it seamlessly goes into and out of AWD without binding up in corners and the sometimes strange handling characteristics of the fully locked systems. I do wish it worked better going down hill.

Here's a question , does anybody actually know what the gear ratios are for the front and rear diffs on a 900 XP ranger. I'd sure like to know how much , if any , difference there is. Maybe if I called Ball Equipment they may know.

We actually have two separate functions going on when we talk about a Rangers AWD operating system. Now correct me if I'm wrong , but we have the time it takes for the AWD to initiate after the predetrermined amount of rear wheel spin and secondly how close are the front and rear diff ratios which will likely determine how the machine behaves in different enviroments once the machine is operating in AWD.

You also have the possible difference in the ratio between the rear pinion and the front drive shaft speeds since they are not driven off of a common shaft. The easiest way to find out the actual effective ratio difference is to jack it up and run it in AWD and count the revolution difference front to rear. That way you don't have to go through the difficult task of finding someone that actually knows.
It is probably around a 20% difference. The new close ratio I have read is around a 4% difference, but I don't know that to be fact.

 

[WinnebagoWarrior]

I thought about the " jacking it up" test also, but alas , it is hard to do without a having one.

 

[WinnebagoWarrior]

Don't you think a 20% difference is a bit excessive ?

 

[WinnebagoWarrior]

I talked to my local dealer today and learned that the rear tires only have to slip 3" to engage the front diff. That's actually way more responsive than I would have guessed. I always assumed it was more.

Polaris offered this High Performance Close Ratio On Demand System on the Sportsman 1000 XP for a reason. I am curious as to how much different a 900 XP would handle if it were available with that system. Would it even be noticeable ???

 

[rocknroll]

Yes I think 20% is excessive.

The close ratio is standard for 2015 on several of the high performance and/or deluxe models like the RZR 1000 and 900 models (except the one without EPS) and some of the Sportsman 1000 and 850 and at least one of the 570 models.

I think it should be standard on all.

 

[trog]

must be something wrong with my 2010 hd when I put it in 4x4 it locks the front diff and I have noticed hardly any spin at all in rear front grabs good and solid right away has done it since I bought it T&S glad I bought when I did do not see much here about 2010 models

 

[WinnebagoWarrior]

Troy , why would you say there must be something wrong with your '10 when it's responded right away and has done so since new ?? As I stated in my OP my '08 Stealth Black Browning 700 also performed flawlessly , wish I still had it , it was a reliable and capable machine.

I can't speak first hand about the newer Rangers , since I haven't owned one since I sold my "08 , I did own a '10 with EPS for a very short time , less than 25 miles and than I had to sell it for personal reasons. I remember reading some threads though about machines getting a little squirrely , possibly because of AWD issues.

If the newer Rangers do in fact engage the front diff in as little as 3" of slip of the rear wheels , well , i think I would be satisfied with that. I would love to get a machine on a motorcycle / atv lift and actually witness the front engagement AND compare the difference between the front and rear ratios. My curiosity IS getting the better of me. Inquiring minds NEED to know. LOL.

In closing , I was just intrigued by Polaris' new High Performance Close Ratio On - Demand AWD and wanted to learn more about it and maybe spread the word , the phrase HIGH PERFORMANCE always gets my attention LOL, on that note , another dealer I've used before , told me this afternoon that HIS info from Polaris indicated that the new system does indeed engage the front diff faster than the standard system FWIW.

 

[jodyfj40]

From what I have read the new system includes a faster responding awd system as well as a gear change in the front end to make the front pull faster than the rear. The reason seems to be the benefit of handling while at high speeds and pulling out of corners instead of the rear pushing thru them. The woods racers in the rzrs seem to be excited about the difference, but I just mostly trail ride and have had no troubles with the old system so I purchased the based model. I'm sure my information was correct since I saw it on the internet :biggrin: but if not please let me know.