Wildcat XX long term durability testing for the SpeedUTV

[Dune-Track-N]

So I've had my XX since new in 2018 just over 4yrs. Here are my fails , I'm having a great time with this rig "driven not babied"!

#1 2018Axle blown in Dumont 3rd trip. Warranty covered assembly alignment issue.


#2 2019 springs sagged so far they had to be replaced (bandit springs)

#3 2019-2020 after 2 mild flops driver door inner had to be replaced, plastic structure broke

#4 2020 sway bar link failure punctured radiator line (trail fix still working)


#5 2020 front CV failure


#6 2021 Shocks lost air pressure "needle ball seal" - Schmidty racing FTW


#7 2021 a-arm failure


#8 2021-22 front diff failure (currently at shop for ext-warranty repair)


Constant maintenance items

Muffler/Cat material clogging exhaust spark screen


Engine/Trans OEM mounts fail every 500 miles or less (went to upgraded solid then back to semi-solid)

Tires and Wheels - I'm up to 14 spares due to holes, rips, bends and breakages


Clutching

ZERO belts have been replaced

Not to bad over all, your Speed UTVs should be good now that we've proved long term (buy and ride, sell and buy every year guys, buy and crash) durability  :cheff:

 

[Sand Shark]

How many miles you have on your XX now?

My friend just replaced his motor mounts on his XX.  He had an axle failure and one blown belt.  Car has been solid for him.  I am pretty sure he is close to 3,000 miles. 

Did have a scare when he blew the belt.  Some how it blew the cover off and pinched the oil line above it.  Luckily he shut the motor off immediately.   He recently had Schmidty do his shocks.  I think his car was the test mule.  Handles so much better after the new springs and shock work.

I would suggest you ditch those stock tires and go to a more durable tire.  A 32" BFG would work well.  Although I did witness the stock tires survive a launch off a hill down 50 or so feet into cactus.  Made it to the highway in Baja with cactus spines in all for tires.  They held air long enough to get him back to Ensenada.   LOL!

 

[Dunerking]

Nice write up and enjoy seeing someone use there car! I need to use my Wildcat XX as much as you do! I’ve gone through almost all of our XX. Hopefully the real last thing is take the front diff to Weddle for their upgrade,just got my transaxle reinstalled after the Weddle treatment. 
On a side note,have you added any additional rocker switches in your dash for accessories? I’m trying to figure out how to get my accessories switches to light up. I used all of the existing pre-wired plugs behind the dash and they worked great other than not getting the switch to light up. Do I need to make a jumper wire? Thanks 

 

[Dunerking]

BTW I just finished repacking the rear axle CV’s which I hope prolong the life of the CV’s

 

[SeanRitchie]

We have serviced over 100 transmissions and front diffs for these over the past 3 years. Got some cool stuff to really help the front diff reliability and longevity in the works. We have to get "caught up" on other production parts before we can start moving on these new parts. Hopefully have some product sometime in summer. (I am sure this comment won't age well, but things are finally looking up for UTV production parts over here)

 

[Dunerking]

Thanks Sean and hope everything has been well for you guys…and thanks for the update!
I want to thank you again for all of the help with our transaxle! The 2 trips with it has been great! I’ll reach out to you as we get closer to summer and see if those updates for the front diff are ready. Take it easy! 

 

[NIKAL]

.

 

[Dunerking]

Good to hear people getting out and using their cars! 
I had installed the Speed WP and the Speedwerx PTO while I had the transaxle out. Figured I was already that deep why not do those precautionary improvements. I also welded in the Speed rear shock mount gussets. I did noticed(and had to replace ) was 2 cracks in my primary/drive clutch. Car only has 850 miles so not sure what could’ve cases the cracks. All the while I have acquired some specialty tools like the clutch alignment,the clutch puller and a spanner tool to take apart the cv’s so I can decrease. 

 

[Dunerking]

I was also able to get it California street legal! Only thing left is to figure out how to get my rocker switches to light up so at night I know what switches what. 

 

[NIKAL]

.

 

[Sand Shark]

I was also able to get it California street legal! Only thing left is to figure out how to get my rocker switches to light up so at night I know what switches what. 

View attachment 24566

View attachment 24567

How far do you get before the cops pull you over?  

 

[Dunerking]

Been driving all around my town with no issues. It does have a full street legal kit with blinkers,horn,DOT windshield,etc..only thing it doesn’t have is windshield wipers.

My plan is not use it as a replacement of a car but more as buffer if on street legal trails/road so with the Cali plate hope to keep things cool and hope to have a cool cop will definitely help. 

 

[Dunerking]

Nikal,I look forward to hearing how you were able to light the switches! 
As for the Cali plate the car was already street legal from another state and was lucky when I transferred the title to be offered the California plate…

 

[Lord of the Dunes]

I was also able to get it California street legal! Only thing left is to figure out how to get my rocker switches to light up so at night I know what switches what. 

View attachment 24566

View attachment 24567

Do your switches have 3 spades on the back? If so, connect a ground wire to all of the 3rd spades you aren't using. That should light them up.

 

[Realbadlarry]

I think if you parked it right side up, it might help with some of the problems you are having...

 

[NIKAL]

.

 

[Dune-Track-N]

@Dunerking yeah you need to jump to the light port on the switch.

@Sean@Weddle sweat to know you're actually making parts for the XX. Not many will even look at one due to RG mania.

@NIKAL your friends sound like they like spending $ on preventive items good for them. @Schmidty did a XX in CA a few years back IIRC

Mileage over 3000, so still not a lot

Preventive maintenance items I've done
Motor/Trans mounts tried the Brute Performance SOLID mounts and went back to stock, have the 775 mounts now.
DIY coolant head blead kit @2000 miles (look up the kit from SpeedWorx much cheaper in a ready to go kit)

GAS and SEND IT thru all terrain
 

 

[Dune-Track-N]

Clutching

I've got mine setup to drive right at 1900rpm engagement then top out at 9200, it does tend to drag some on belt at idle so probably need to adjust.

Started with the Alba kit with recommended settings, hated it 3000rpm engagement 9200 max rpm

Used the STM arms and weights (now at 4-1-1 heal to toe) #
Used the secondary spring Alba provided a ArticCat green 200/280 #210493-011
Got a new HELIX from BD Extreme 35/45EBS (Alba provided a STM 38/45-4S no engine brake #4001102)
Got a new primary spring ArticCat 20/250 #0646-439 (Alba provided a Venom Purple 180-320 #210492-018)

 

[Dunerking]

Great to see all of the work you have done! Especially with the XX,as the seem to be greatly overlooked. Not sure why as they seem by far the best car off the showroom..could use a little more power but in the desert they seem equal. 
I also did the 775 motor/trans mounts while the car was apart. 
Im interested in comparing clutching as our car has the Speedwerx Extreminator kit and I feel like clutching could engage a little sooner. 
Id like to meet up for a day with you guys…my only issue is our car has the 77” kit so some of the narrow trails can be a issue. Wish I had the 72” kit.