Alternative widening kit.

[hippy430]

Ok, instead of going out and buying a long travel set-up for at least a grand, I found an alternative. Its called Diamond-J Customs widening kit. It looks pretty sweet and for the price you cant beat it. If you guys can let me in on what you think id appreciate it. And if you guys find any reviews id love to hear 'em. thanks!

Also, i dont want to hear, "I heard from a friend that he knows someone that thinks they're **** but he's never used them"

I know, but i've heard it before....

[Honda#4]

To be honest its not worth buying, for lotz of reasons, 1 it throws off the geo of the quad. 2 it puts more stress on the balljoints. 3 it uses brackets that may in time if you jump and come down short will break. 4 I think they make the quad look goofy.

My advice stick to correct A-arms and not some fab'd up brackets. They maybe ok for minor jumps or trails but there nothing to use on 60+ foot doubles.

[300exOH]

Just go with the stock 250r/400ex a arms, shock mount bracket and some stock 400ex shocks. It isn't exactly a perfect setup either but it is much better than the diamond j widening kit. The 250r/400ex front ends aren't going to cost much and work fairly well for most casual riders. You could probably do it for under $250 if you shop around a bit.

[bradley300]

there have been a few huge threads on this, do search and you will see its a steering and suspension design nightmare. its principles are cpmpletly opposite of how good suspension works

[blaster32]

not a good idea unless you feel like spending a few hours in the ER when it breaks, it may seem like a good alternative for the price but "you get what you pay for"

[andre7276]

i would like to know how you guy talking about them being weak they are made of 1/4 plate steel, the tinsel strength of the 1/4 bracket are strong the the 1/8 that honda uses on the arm bracket that are on the frame. I have had the kit on my for over a year with no problems and i ride my quad very hard, trail riding and on the track. and with the ball joints theres no more added leverage on the ball joint like you would with off set wheels or spacers

[LT250RMan]

Those cheap widing kits change the shock/a-arm leverage raito and it puts alot of stress on the front suspension. Why do you think most people use extended a-arms and not those widening kits ?

Just do the job properly, bud. Get some extended A-arms and save the hospital bed for someone else.

[dustin_j]

Originally posted by andre7276
i would like to know how you guy talking about them being weak they are made of 1/4 plate steel, the tinsel strength of the 1/4 bracket are strong the the 1/8 that honda uses on the arm bracket that are on the frame. I have had the kit on my for over a year with no problems and i ride my quad very hard, trail riding and on the track. and with the ball joints theres no more added leverage on the ball joint like you would with off set wheels or spacers

They look quite strong vertically, but imiagine what the plates would do to the honda frame if you clipped a tree with a front tire. The kit will work to widen the quad, which will make it more stable, and thus "appear" to handle better. However, the steering geometry (as mentioned above) is murdered with this kit. The above posts are also implying wheel spacers and offset wheels are bad as well. You can cheat and try these kits, spacers, or offset wheels and get a wider quad; however, this comes at a cost to handling/steering.

[400exrider707]

Like already said, not a good idea and there are quite a few threads on this already. If you want a good technical answer as to why these dont work, read the sticky at the top of the page. Also just because they use 1/4in plate doesn't make them strong. The stock honda brackets are maybe 1" long off the frame. These stick way off the frame upwards of 6", if you hit a tree it's not going to be applying a tensile strength. It will be like a big lever on those brackets and bend them in half. Tensile strength has nothing to do with the forces these brackets would see.

[400ex28]

Not a good idea...

[hippy430]

Alright, im looking aorund for some 400ex A-arms and shocks. If any of you know where i can get some cheap, but working shocks, please let me know. thanks for the help everyone!

[BlaineKaiser450]

Originally posted by hippy430
Alright, im looking aorund for some 400ex A-arms and shocks. If any of you know where i can get some cheap, but working shocks, please let me know. ebay is where its at

[300exkid123]

ebay

[250ex_dan]

Originally posted by 300exOH
Just go with the stock 250r/400ex a arms, shock mount bracket and some stock 400ex shocks. It isn't exactly a perfect setup either but it is much better than the diamond j widening kit. The 250r/400ex front ends aren't going to cost much and work fairly well for most casual riders. You could probably do it for under $250 if you shop around a bit.
will the 250r arms work on the 250ex too?

[dustin_j]

250r arms can be made to "work" by shortening the tubes that connect at the frame. Note that the top ball joint angle on 250r arms is different than 400ex arms.

[QuadCobbler]

Ive heard the lower a-arm mounts on the 250r are further apart than the 400ex arms. I would look through the 300ex forum before yo buy anything to make sure you know what you are getting into. One thing I can say is the 400ex arms fit perfect, if you use the 400ex shocks u will need a relocator. Make sure you get the right relocator. Some make the front to high.