How To

-- Better protection with CageWrx -- We say it time and time again—protection is the most important factor when it comes to off-roading any machine. Wearing the right helmet, eye protection, switching out the stock UTV seat belts with harness systems—all of these are great ideas to keep you riding longer. If you ask one of our editors which UTV accessory you would purchase after the helmet and harnesses, they would tell you to get a stronger roll cage. Rolling a UTV is a serious matter, and the harder you drive one, the…

-- HOW TO GUIDE -- By the staff of Dirt Wheels As great as aftermarket parts are to modify and personalize your machine, some can be a real pain to install. Other parts are relatively easy to install, but more are easy the second time around! You learn a lot the first time, and subsequent installs are both quicker and easier. We installed a new Polaris Pro HD 3500-pound-rated winch that was a plug-and-play fit for a Sportsman 4x4 quad and installed it on a 2018 Sportsman 570. This winch boasts rapid…

-- Inspect, clean and service or add longer axle shafts -- We are building a RZR project with LoneStar Racing long-travel suspension. The LSR long-travel kit widens the machine, so we needed longer axle shafts inserted into the stock CVs. The steps we followed will allow you to check the condition of the CVs, determine if they are in good shape and grease the parts for reassembly. This is a dirty job, so you need paper towels, chemical-resistant disposable gloves, CV grease and CV boot bands. If you buy aftermarket…

-- What you need if your UTV has bigger tires -- Recently, we have come across a number of UTVs that were fitted with oversized tires, and in most of those cases we found that performance suffered. We are all for the cool look and added ground clearance that big tires supply, but not if we lose performance and driveability. The solution is to have the CVT clutching modified to work with the larger tires. The photos and text here will show how we installed GBoost clutch kits in 2017 Polaris UTVs; one was a Turbo and the…

-- How-to improve your machine's durability -- By the staff of Dirt Wheels We recently had a Polaris RZR Dynamix four-seater break a tie-rod. We hadn’t had a specific incident we could point to that might have damaged it, but we could see where some rust intruded into the break, so it must have been hurt at some point. Also, we have wheels on the car with greater offset than stock and 30-inch tires. The different wheels widened the car from 64 inches to approximately 69 inches. Both the offset and the larger tires add…

-- Taking a look at how some Dirt Wheels readers do it -- Farmers get to ride their quads or UTVs right from the barn. The rest of us have to haul our prized off-road vehicles to a riding area. The quick way is to put your quad in the back of your pick up truck. Maybe even put two or three back there. In some cases it's even possible to put your UTV in the back of the truck too. For most though, they use a trailer. Depending on the size of the trailer you can haul a variety of quads and UTVs. We're going to take a random…

-- Boss McKannick gives his advice -- MAKE MY MACHINE LOOK GOOD: Dear Boss, I have a Polaris RZR S 1000 that’s a couple of years old and it doesn’t look as good as it used to. I’m thinking about sprucing up its appearance with a graphics kit of some kind. I’ve been hearing a lot about wraps. Is this something I could install myself, or does a professional business have to do it? What would you suggest for a guy like me with average mechanical skills? Eric Harrington Glendale, CA Well, Eric, some…

-- STEP-BY-STEP HOW TO GUIDE --  By the staff of Dirt Wheels We recently noticed that there was a lot of wet lubricant on one of our Polaris RZR front axles. Looking closely, we found that a stick had gone through the lower front part of the machine and wedged between the front axle CV and the front differential. We assumed the CV boot was punctured, so we pulled the axle out. This is what we found, and we thought it might help our readers. To begin, make sure the machine is supported safely, then remove the wheel.…

-- By Winston "Boss" McKannick -- WHICH WAY IS BETTER, 2 TO 3, OR 4 TO 3? Dear Boss, I am wanting a “modern” three-wheeler. I have looked at the kits where you can convert a dirt bike to a three-wheel- er, but I was wondering, can you go the other way? Say, take a Honda 400EX four-wheeler and make it a three-wheeler? Which do you think is easier, better or just more practical? Clyde Forman Dallas, NC Well, it is easier to convert a two-wheeler to a three-wheeler mainly because there are kits available.…

If you get a flat, beadlock wheels will hold the tire onto the rim, allowing you to limp back home. This is why experienced UTVers always use them.

Do your wheels & tires look like they're tilted in funny angles? Here's how to measure them & get everything lined up properly.

-- Interview with Louisiana's top swamper -- CAN-AM PRESS RELEASE: The thrill of powering through the deepest, gnarliest mud holes on earth doesn‘t come naturally to most people, but Dustin Jones isn‘t most people. Born, raised, and based in Shreveport, Louisiana, his passion for challenging himself and his machines has led not only to S3 Power Sports—but a growing trophy case as proof of all the hard work. We sat down with Dustin and asked him how it all got started—and how you can dip your toes into mud riding to have…