An easy way to get some extra clearance under your UTV is by installing a UTV lift kit. Most riders just want to add a few inches of lift to their stock UTV. A couple inches of lift can dramatically change the performance of the machine in trail riding and rock climbing scenarios. Maneuvering over fallen timber, climbing steep creek banks and straddling large rocks will pose less of threat after a minor lift job.
Side by side lift kits also allow you to install larger tires. Larger tires can also give you an inch or two in extra clearance. So for a reasonable amount of money you can add 2-5 inches of lift to any UTV with just a small lift kit and taller tires.
You will be surprised at how straightforward it is to actually install one of these kits on your side by side. Assuming you have all the tools you’ll need readably available to you a 2-3in lift kit can be installed in less then an hour.
Most of these 2-3 inch lift kits include four brackets and a bolt for each bracket, that’s all. To install these lift kits it basically comes down to this, lift up the UTV, take the wheel off, disconnect the bottom of the shock, place the new bracket from the kit to your bottom shock mount, bolt that on, then reconnect the bottom of your shock to the new mount and tighten it down…do it three more times and your done.
Not every manufacturer makes a kit that moves the bottom shock mounts. Some conclude that it better to move the top mount to reduce binding on the axles. (This top mount positioning statement is referring to the rear shocks only)
Racer Tech makes a 2 inch lift kit for the Polaris RZR that utilizes a totally different design then any other manufacturer. They state that their design is the only one that can be installed and not cause CV axle damage. While this may be true to some aspect here is what you need to do after you have your new UTV lift kit installed. Lift the machine completely off the ground and allow the suspension to be at “full droop”. Then go to each tire and spin the wheel. Check to make sure the axles are not binding up. The wheel should spin freely, if any binding is occurring remove the lift kit at once and return it.
The chances of a 2 in. or 3 in. lift kit making the axles bind are slim but it does happen and it’s better to catch it up front while the UTV is already up in the air in the garage. Axles bind because the lift kit puts the CV axle at such an angle that sometimes the design cannot accommodate the new angle and it will cause the splines to be under pressure.
In this post we focused on 2in. and 3in. lift kits because they’re by far the most popular among UTV owners. Other lift kits are also available to lift your UTV 5 inches and beyond. Those kits can be split into two categories, racing and mud bogging. Racing lift kits come with a lot of hardware and new shocks and cost thousands of dollars. Mudding lift kits are designed for UTV riders that like to find massive mud holes and these kits require custom modifications and new hardware to accommodate extreme lift kits and extra large tires.
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