ATV radiator relocation kits are an upgrade most commonly found on 4×4 quads that find themselves drudging through swamps and bogs or taking a swim in deep water. The reason for this type of kit is pretty straight forward. The goal is to get the radiator up and out of the mud and water so it can function the way it’s intended to.
Even though radiator guards are available to mount on the radiator in its original location, depending on your riding style these guards may not offer enough protection from mud to keep the radiator operating at full capacity. A relocation kit is the only full proof way to ensure the radiator is away from mud as much as possible.
The brackets can be made from steel or aluminum depending on the brand. The aluminum construction is nice because its light weight and it will never rust, but on the other hand, if you have a roll over its possible to bend or completely shear off the bracket.
With aluminum, it’s hard to bend it back into shape without breaking it. Just like aluminum wheels, once the rim is bent and you can’t get the bead sealed, it’s junk. With steel wheels it’s no problem if they get bent, just bend (beat with a hammer) the rim back into shape.
So, at least if you decide to go with a steel bracket kit you’ll know you have a better chance of salvaging your $250-$300 investment. The steel bracket will be slightly heavier, but it’s a note worthy tradeoff.
Another thing to consider is that these radiator relocation kits mount smack dab in the middle of the front rack. So consider if this is something you can work with. The front rack is going to be almost useless after one of these kits are installed. You’ll have about 4-6 inches on both sides of the bracket to work with to maybe pack on a couple small items like a tool kit. But forget about a front mounted gun rack or anything like that.
The relocation kits come with all the needed hardware to make the transition. Each kit comes with a mounting bracket, hoses, clamps and wiring harnesses. If you decide to install a radiator relocation kit make sure to look into a coolant designed for powersports applications such as Engine Ice. This would be a good opportunity to upgrade.
Brands
Cheapest Retailer: Moto X Mall
Alternative Retailer: Extreme Snorkels
Cheapest Retailer: Xtreme (xpatv.com)
Alternative Retailer: Extreme Snorkels
Cheapest Retailer: Extreme Snorkels
Xtreme
Cheapest Retailer: Moto X Mall