The Drive Shaft Switch Out (
DSSO) is a drive shaft disconnect installed on your all time 4wd ATV that, when activated, disengages the 4wd and allows you to operate in 2wd mode. Riders will immediately notice a difference in handling and turning radius. Steering is tighter and it is easier to turn the vehicle, as opposed to turning (and sometimes fighting) all 4 wheels. Less work and wear on your arms and the added ability to make tighter turns, cut donuts, drift, and slide means lots more fun options for ATV riders. When you need the extra power of the 4wd, simply disengage the
Drive Shaft Switch Out and return to "normal" operation of the vehicle.
Now, I'm just a mild-mannered Marketing Director, and my experience with riding ATVs is limited, so you can imagine my intimidation level in testing a new product like the
Drive Shaft Switch Out on a powerful ATV. It was a good opportunity for me though, having just completed photographing and documenting installation of the
DSSO so I could write up install instructions. That, and I like to go fast.
I started out in regular 4wd mode with the
Drive Shaft Switch Out disengaged, taking the Honda out and trying to make some turns. From that I could tell that by the end of a long day of riding, all-time 4wd riders would have sore arms from fighting the pull of 4 wheels to make turns all day. Next, I engaged the
Drive Shaft Switch Out and followed the same driving path and pattern I had done in 4wd. It was as easy as pushing a button and pulling back the
DSSO knob handle. Making turns was almost effortless, and I could make tighter turns too. No stress on my arms either. For good measure, I cut a few donuts before heading back to my starting point. Then I disengaged the
DSSO by pushing the same button to release and then took another spin in 4wd.
You know, newer ATVs have computerized electrical controls for engaging/disengaging 4wd. That's probably cool and all, but like my car, sometimes I think it works better to have a purely mechanical means of getting things done because sometimes electronics fail. The
Drive Shaft Switch Out is an engineering marvel that does not rely on any electronics to work, and it is very easy to operate. ATV riders can excpect ease of use and great dependability from this sturdy piece of equipment. Installation would not take an experienced mechanic long at all to install, especially if the ATV already had a rack to attach the included mounting bracket. Plus, this was just fun to drive. It's nice to know that when I don't need 4wd that I can disengage it and save my arms while sporting around trails and then get it back as soon as I need it.
In my opinion, the
Drive Shaft Switch Out by WideOpen is worth installing. Now go ride something.
