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Rick's Picks - Small But Essential Upgrades for Your UTV's Longevity and Performance

Rick's Picks - Small But Essential Upgrades for Your UTV's Longevity and Performance

When it comes to elevating your UTV's performance and durability, certain upgrades are non-negotiable. These enhancements are not just about getting more out of your ride; they're about ensuring your vehicle stands the test of time and the rigors of off-road adventures. Let's explore four critical upgrades that Rick recommends for any serious off-roader looking to protect their investment and maximize their experience.

Zollinger Racing Dog Bones

First up, the Zollinger Racing Dog Bones. For owners of the Can-Am X3, whether it's a 2-seat or 4-seat model from 2017 to 2019, this part is a must-have. Interestingly, Can-Am did reinforce the chassis tubing diameter around mid-2020. However, in my view, the Dog Bones are still essential for added protection. So, why are the Zollinger Racing Dog Bones so critical? The rear bulkhead of the X3 is notably thin, and the factory bolts that secure the rear radius rods are subjected to a tremendous amount of stress, causing the bulkhead to elongate under the load. This deformation leads to noticeable play in your radius rods and a shift in your rear alignment. Another concern is that the factory bolt is initially smaller than the hole in the bulkhead, making this issue almost inevitable. The more you push your UTV, especially with larger tires, the greater the stress and leverage applied to this area. Neglecting this can eventually necessitate welding a plate to correct the slop in the rear bulkhead.

Now, let's discuss what the DOG BONES do and how they prevent damage to your chassis, making them one of the best value parts available. Zollinger Racing specifically introduced this part for the 2017 to 2019 Can-Am X3 models, addressing the issue of factory hardware being smaller than the hole in the rear bulkhead where your rear radius rods bolt on. Each turn and bump slowly enlarges this hole due to the bolt's slack, eventually distorting it significantly. The Dog Bone is uniquely designed to slip over the factory bolts with a tight fit, redistributing the load laterally. Essentially, it acts as a brace for your bolts and a structural element for your rear radius rods to attach to, eliminating any chance for the rear bulkhead to elongate and serving as a crucial front bulkhead brace known to be necessary for all X3 platforms. Installation is straightforward, requiring only the removal of the rear radius rods to fit this system over the existing factory bolts, replacing your inner misalignment spacer with the Dog Bones, which now act as your misalignment spacers, before re-securing the radius rods with the nut. This modification ensures that load and vibration are no longer transferred directly to the metal on your rear bulkhead but instead to the precision-machined 17-4 Stainless Steel Dog Bones, which are cross-braced for added strength. This upgrade is essential for Can-Am X3 models from 2017 onwards, fitting both 64" and 72" models, and is also available for Polaris models like the 2014-2021+ Polaris RZR XP 1000, Polaris RZR XP Turbo, and Polaris RS1 Models. It's important to note that some models are only compatible with 12mm rear bolts, but if your UTV has 10mm rear bolts, they can be drilled out to accommodate the 17-4 stainless steel Dog Bones. Having installed this part on almost every Can-Am X3, I can assure you it's compatible with both factory and aftermarket radius rods. For added strength, consider pairing it with a Zollinger Racing rear pull plate or any aftermarket rear radius rod pull plate we offer at UTVSOURCE.com. Trust me, this seemingly small part significantly enhances your UTV's protection and strength, ensuring your vehicle's rear bulkhead remains intact. Proudly made in the USA and ready to ship to your door.

SHOCK THERAPY BUMP STEER DELETE KIT

Do you ever feel fatigued or experience serious arm pump as if you've just navigated the roughest washboard road on a dirt bike, but in reality, you're merely steering your UTV over some mild to moderate bumps on your local trail? Have you found yourself needing a break after just 30 minutes of driving your UTV, despite having spent the entire day trailering it to your destination without feeling the same need after driving your truck? This phenomenon is known as Bump Steer, a condition that can significantly shorten your trail rides or force you to pause your dune adventures just to regain strength in your forearms and hands. The issue becomes even more pronounced if you've upgraded to larger tires or altered the offset of your wheels, potentially leading to situations where the steering wheel could be jerked right out of your hands.

But don't worry, we have a solution to this problem, and it's surprisingly straightforward to implement. It doesn't require a vast skill set to install and will markedly enhance your overall experience on your next adventure. So, what exactly is Bump Steer? It refers to the change in the toe setting of the front tires throughout the suspension's travel cycle. Ideally, this toe change should be minimized to maintain optimal performance. The Can-Am X3 is notably one of the UTVs straight from the factory that exhibits over 4 inches of bump steer, a significant amount. However, almost every UTV make and model experiences some degree of bump steer, and fortunately, we have a fix for them all.

For those experiencing twitchy drivability, forearm fatigue, and excessive wear on the front end, this part is essential. It significantly improves drivability and the enjoyment of tearing through trails in your UTV. Shock Therapy has developed the Bump Steer Delete (BSD) kit specifically for the Can-Am X3, although it's also compatible with most makes and models. Crafted from 303 stainless steel and machined in the US, this kit is ready to ship directly to your door and boasts an easy installation process. You also have the option to upgrade to a complete BSD kit that includes billet machined tie rods, complete with all necessary hardware and larger rod ends. The BSD kit, despite being one of the smallest components in your build, can elevate your driving experience to new heights, allowing you to drive harder and with greater confidence without succumbing to fatigue.

Zollinger Racing Billet Trailing Arm Brace

Here's another part you might not have realized you needed until you grasp the critical role of triangulation and how every bump you encounter translates into stress on a component. Some of these components are single shear, and it only takes one significant bump to potentially ruin your trip. Let's delve into a term I mentioned earlier: Single Shear. This term implies a singular point of stress, and in this context, one point is never enough. The Can-Am X3, akin to a rocket ship, has its trailing arms secured to the chassis by a single bolt. This bolt is the sole component holding the trailing arm in place during aggressive maneuvers and jumps. Despite these UTVs being equipped with impressive shocks that mask the feel of most bumps and jumps, the single shear parts bear the brunt of this stress, clinging on for dear life.

Traditionally, your trailing arm isn't secured by an additional tab to the chassis from the factory. Zollinger Racing identified the necessity for the trailing arm to be supported by both an inner and outer tab, leading to the development of a beautifully machined billet part that converts your trailing arm to a double shear setup. This not only reinforces the arm but also integrates it more firmly into the chassis, creating a triangle that significantly stiffens the rear of your chassis. The importance of converting your trailing arm to a double shear cannot be overstated—it's crucial. The upper and lower arms of the front of your Can-Am X3 are supported by double shear tabs, creating a robust structure. Imagine if the front of your UTV was only held together by a single shear setup; hitting bumps, making sharp turns, or encountering g-outs could potentially rip the front arms off, not being securely sandwiched between two tabs and a bolt.

This upgrade was one of my first modifications to the $100K Can-Am build and proved to be one of the most critical components as I navigated through Baja, tackling massive whoops, rock beds, and varied terrain over 800 miles. While double shear is a standard in most UTV makes and models, the Can-Am X3, unfortunately, did not come with this additional support from the factory. This upgrade becomes indispensable when you consider that not all bolts in every UTV are properly shouldered, placing reliance on a single shear tab and a threaded shoulder bearing the brunt of every impact. This setup is a weak link and, over time, is likely to fail, leading to potentially costly repairs.

I'm not here to alarm you into buying parts; that's not the goal. We all want you to enjoy your UTV with confidence, and sometimes, understanding the mechanics behind factory parts and their pivot points is crucial. Not everyone who owns a UTV understands how these parts function and the rationale behind upgrading them. Next time you're inspecting your UTV, take a moment to look at wear points and pivot areas, and reflect on the rigorous conditions your machine has endured. Sometimes, a reality check is necessary. Stay safe out there, everyone, and keep a vigilant eye on your parts and the hardware that keeps them together. Note that this particular Trailing Arm Brace is exclusively available for the Can-Am X3 and is not compatible with live valve shocks.

Shock Therapy Toe Link Support Kits

When we're out there pushing our rides to the limit, every little bit of stability and control counts, especially when you're navigating through rough terrains or hitting those high-speed bumps and cross chatter ruts. . That's where the Shock Therapy Toe Link Supports (TLS) come into play keeping your rear spindle from prematurly wearing out.

So, why are these TLS so crucial? Well, think about the load your UTV's suspension goes through during an intense ride. The rear toe links are under constant load and without proper support, you're looking at increased wear and potentially compromising your vehicle's handling. That's not something any of us want, especially when we're miles from nowhere, pushing the envelope.

The Shock Therapy TLS are machined out of 303 stainless steel and are inserted on both sides of your rear hub where the center radius rod is bolted to. The main job of the ( TLS ) is to support the bolt piviot on your center radius rod that is also single sheer and see's a tremendous amout of load side to side as your ripping through turns. The rear hub is a soft, casted part that wears out pretty fast, and what happens is the bolt will transfer the load into the hub and the bolt hole will become egg shapped creating a vibration and a wobble in your rear alighnment. This will also lead to premature wheel bearing wear and ultimatly you will need to replace your rear hub and bearings. The ( TLS ) corrects the issue by having the bolt ride on the Machined 303 stainless steel inserts on both inside and the outside capturing the bolt on the shoulder and strengthning the rear hub, not allowing the bolt to wear through the soft casted hub. Its a very common problem for all Can Am X3 models and its a very simple and inexpensive part that will save you hundreds of dollars not having to replace a factory hub. Its one of those small, but mighty parts that was well designed and thought out specifically targeting a heavy load surface area with a simple insert of a stronger metal that is comonly used in high wear areas. You should also keep in mind that most of us upgrade are wheels and increase the tire size for ground clearence and at the same time we are increasing the load agian because we added more weight and sometimes depending on your choice, you have changed the offset, and once again we added more load to the hub. As far as the installation goes, its pretty easy and I would give it a 3 out of 10 as far as difficulty goes. The ( TLS ) kit will come with a Step drill bit to enlarge the center hole, and since the casted hub is made up of soft Aluminum drilling it out is easy. The ( TLS ) are inserted and your done. I would recomend using some anti-sieze on the inserts.

In the grand scheme of things, the Shock Therapy TLS might seem like a small addition, but it's these kinds of upgrades that add up to a significant improvement in your UTV's longevity and performance. So, if you're looking to keep your machine in tip top shape and enhance your driving experience, giving it the support it needs where it counts, you can't go wrong with adding these Toe Link Supports to your arsenal.

In Conclusion

Each of these upgrades plays a vital role in enhancing the performance and durability of your UTV, ensuring it's equipped to handle whatever the trail throws your way. Whether you're looking to protect your investment or simply elevate your off-roading experience, these parts are worth considering. Happy trailing.

Apr 04, 2024 UTV Source

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