Polaris ID ?? 94 trailboss...?

[rally4x4racer]

hey - this is my first time posting on the quad side of the house (probably because I just got a quad)
- I talked my buddy out of an old two stroke polaris 2X4 quad the other day. It needs a few things to run (front tires, brakes rebuilt, battery, seatfoam)
but I am not real sure what year/model it is. He said "93 trail blazer or 94 trail boss"
LOL - he dont know, so I am trying to figure it out. If it was not covered in snow I would take some pix - but here is what it basically looks like. it has racks front and back, chain drive, rear brake in the motor? , plastic tank, mcpherson struts on the front, electric and pullstart, rear mono and an ugly seafoam green seat.
I can not find a VIN and can not conclude what year/model it is. Any suggestions - or are about all the parts interchangeable?

pic is from the net - mine doesnt have the brush gaurd on the front, it has a cow pusher, and it does not have the gas tank plastic cover. otherwise this is a good rep

thanks for the help! r4r

[smokinwrench]

Here is a ebay link to an auction.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1990-Polaris-Trail-Boss-350-2x4-RUNS-AWESOME-New-Parts_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ42591QQihZ001QQit emZ110062089489QQrdZ1

Im sure that is what it looks like. The machine is a 350L, I am almost positive they built a 400L also. I am sure they are trailboss I think trailblazer is a later model. 350L shifter has metal notches it sets in with high low reverse. They are a nice riding machine with tons of power.

If it is a 350L be careful, the engine will run perfectly when it is completly wore out. I had one that broke a piston skirt and cracked out the cases. It never gave any signs that was gonna happen.:eek:

[rally4x4racer]

you dont think its a 250? I will get pix as son as the snow melts off of it. -this one has 4 notches in the shifter. im not sure what is what tho... there is no VIN or motor #'s on these things? thanks

r4r

[mbg75]

the polaris 250's are aircooled. the 350-400's are liquid cooled.

the 400's are about 38 hp stock. with the right parts can be brought up to 70hp.

if it's a 400 it could make a nice sleeper!

[rally4x4racer]

thanks for the info - by your description it is a 250.... there is no radiator of any kind! - is this thing worth the $ it would cost me to get it running? I could get it running and fully functional for less than 400$.. it needs seat foam, brake work and front tires...(I already got a battery)
-worst case scenerio - I will wind up with 7 or 8 hundred in a super nice running machine - but, is it a waste of time? I am building it for the mule of the pack - to haul camping stuff, play in the snow etc - because my wife wants a quad..... thx

r4r

[smokinwrench]

I think it would be worth it for sure. They are nice ridign machiens with plenty of power at least the 350 is. I still feel that any running machien that is half way decent is worth $1,000.

[rally4x4racer]

cool - thanks for the insight. I can definately have it running and in good shape for less than that

any idea about where to find the VIN? or tell what year it is?

(there is a post from 2004 about this thing but I looked where it said to look and can not find the VIN. )

I noticed as some of the snow melted that it has big letters on the left case cover that say "PVT" on top and then "polaris varible transmission" under it.

looks like the original fender color was grey

[rally4x4racer]

absolutely nothing???? :(

[Lomax]

there should be a tag somwhere on the frame that has 6? digits i think. They usually start with a W, There will be 2 numbers together Example, WS94?? The 94 would mean its a 94 model. If its 92 then its a 92 model etc etc. I never was the biggest fan of the 250cc engine as I always thought they were rather noisey and kinda weak. Smokinwrench is right about them in the fact they run absolutly perfect and then WAM, partys over. I have a 400cc in the shop right now that has suffered from piston explosion. Those 400's will flat out haul as well. I had a 400cc (2-stroke) Sportsman and from a standstill you could nail it and pull the front tires off the ground! thats a big heavy 4x4 so you can imagine in something like the trailboss 2wd that it would be nothing but stronger.

[rally4x4racer]

thanks for the reply lomax..
It is a 250 - but thats ok, because it will be my wifes. if its sluggish ill rebuild the top end and port it, run some reeds and re-gear it. but it is probably fine for her as is... ill make her haul the camping gear on it :)

I still dont have any idea on the year.. can not find a vin anywhere on the frame. I keep scrubbing and looking but its not all that dirty.

I did notice that it has a tag on the fender that says "35 years"

[Lomax]

I dont guess they are actually slow or anything, they will get up and go, I just got used to that 400 I had. I I remember right then the 35 year tags models are 94's. I think they founded in 1959.

[sandpuppi101]

I know what your saying,I have a trailboss 250 ,I know,But I can't find any numbers anywhere!! I rode it and it gets ,but I sure would like to know the year??Maybe you guys can help us both out??? Where exactly would I find any #'s at all?? Probably gonna part it out if I can't even find the vin!!!

[rally4x4racer]

lol - I need a few parts - whats your location? does yours have the 35 years on the front fender too?

[sandpuppi101]

Nope ,nothing saying 35 years at all!! Up in Mi.- The more I look at this unit the more frusterated I get with it!!

[Lomax]

Judging by the color scheme and the front A-arm setup on your I am thinking yours is between a 90-93 model. On the 94 models parts machine that I have outback the tag that tells all is located below the hand shifter on one of the frame tubes. W948592 the first 2 numbers will tell you the year.

[rally4x4racer]

LOMAX!!!! thanks - I found the VIN exactly where you just said. I wonder how I missed that multiple times???

mine is a 1990 - cool now I can buy a few parts for it.

[cole2676]

I had one of those and when I needed parts for it. the service desk told me that there is no name for it like,( trail boss) and that it was just called a 250 4x4 or 2x4 and they were air cooled 250cc 2 stroke. and other than the motor, most parts are the same. and interchangeable. good luck

[rally4x4racer]

.....I was kinda thinking the exterior parts would be the same. I bet any of the gen 2 seats would fit it - any idea? did yours have the 35 years sticker cole? and was it fast? I am thinking it is the 30hp motor... he he might still reed it and put a pipe and gears on it :)

im not real sure how good of pull this PVT thing has tho?
- soon to be running * I have to fab a bracket for the shifter - anyone know what slot is what? \
foward=reverse, back one = go, back two slots = go faster, and rear slot = neutral?? i have no clue

[cole2676]

well mine was the 4x4 250cc with the 3 chain setup on the right and the belt on the left. and 900 things to grease and oil. and it was heavy for only a 250cc. but it was snappy and quick just because its a 2 stroke. don't get to excited about it. its not like it has gobs of power or nothing. and most of the power on mine was lost in turning all the chains on it. and about the sticker, until now I never payed much attention to it, but I do remember something like that in the front on the oil res plastic cover I think. I was also told that the oil pump likes to just stop with no warning light. and that the best thing to do is to pull off the oil jug and premix your oil, so you know that at least its getting the right amount.

[rally4x4racer]

is that all you have to do to run premix? just pull the oil jug off and mix yer own? I was thinking about that - what should I run 1:50?

mine only has one chain but it is lookin kinda loose. how the heck to I tighten it ? doesnt look like the rear axle slides out...

[russell56443]

Hey good luck with the Polaris,I really like mine(and so do the people I let ride it so I can ride there 3 wheeler's lol)!!
I have the 95 Explorer 400 4x4 and it's a real work horse!
I havnt ever had to do any big repairs and has run great for the 3 years I have had it.
My explorer's chain adjusts by loosening the 2 bolts on the axle by the rear hub/sproket,have someone sit on the rear and the chain will tighten then retighten the bolts.
You can also use a ratchet strap to compress it.
If that dosnt get it tight(while your sitting on it) you probally need a new chain/sprocket?
I do wonder how hard it is to find parts down south?
I never even heard of polaris when I lived in Florida,here in Minnesota it's a very popular brand lol!!!
Anyway,hope all goes well