Step 1



First you need to make sure that you have some sort of tunnel protectors installed in the tunnel of your sled (see green arrows).
Step 2



Next, You must decide on a stud pattern and the number of studs, I prefer using a template, it locates studs exactly where they need to be. Once you decide on a pattern and the number of studs, find a way to raise the rear of the snowmobile about 2 or 3 feet off of the ground (this makes it easier to work) and take a paint pen or some white-out and mark the pattern on the track. This makes it easier to correct mistakes if you should happen to make any, because once you drill a hole in the track it is there, but the paint can be rubbed off so that you can place it in the correct position. After you finish marking the entire track rotate it around one final time checking for the correct number of studs and any errors in the pattern. This will be your last chance to catch the errors if there are any.
Step 3



Next you need to remove the rear suspension bolts to make drilling the track and installing the studs a much easier task. (See green arrow) There is one bolt on either side of the tunnel.
Step 4



After you remove the two suspension bolts you will have something that looks like this. This will make your life a lot easier while drilling the track and installing the studs.
Step 5



Now you can start drilling out the stud pattern that you have previously marked on the track. Make sure you use one of the specially designed track hole cutters sold by most shops or mail order catalogs. It cuts a nice clean hole in the track and also helps to melt the cords back together in the track that you just cut.
Step 6



Now you can begin to install the studs into the holes you drilled tightening them to the Mfg’s specs. Once you have all of the studs installed you will need to re-install the two rear suspension bolts. After I put the suspension back in, I re-set track tension and alignment. Im not sure about other mfg’s but Polaris suggests that you run track tension on the tight side. So I tightened up my track and aligned it to mfg specs.
Step 7



Now for the final step you gotta add snow….but that’s up to the snow gods. So good luck with the stud install and pray for some snow!

Written by TriumphoverU

Warning, studding your track is proven to shorten the life of the track. As always care should be taken while riding a sled with or without studs. Always consult your dealer before attempting to stud your sled. This article is my opinion and not that of any dealer or manufacturer. Please keep in mind that this is only to guide you in the right direction…it is not to be taken as the bible of studding.