Take Your Polaris Ranger to the Extreme with Long Travel Suspension Kits

Introducing Long Travel Kits for the Polaris Ranger

For off-road enthusiasts, the Polaris Ranger side-by-side (SXS) has long been a staple in the utility terrain vehicle (UTV) market. Polaris first introduced the Ranger in the early 2000s, and it quickly became popular among hunters, farmers, and outdoor adventurers who needed a rugged and versatile off-road vehicle.

While the stock Ranger models perform admirably well in most conditions, many owners seek to customize and upgrade their machines to handle more demanding terrain. This is where long travel suspension kits come into play.

What is a Long Travel Suspension Kit?

A long travel suspension kit is an aftermarket modification that increases the amount of wheel travel on an off-road vehicle. Long travel kits allow the wheels to move further up and down, enabling the vehicle to better absorb impacts from rough terrain.

On a stock Ranger, the suspension may only allow 10-12 inches of wheel travel. With a long travel kit, you can get 16 inches or more of wheel travel, drastically improving the Ranger's suspension articulation and shock absorption capabilities.

Benefits of Increased Wheel Travel

There are several key benefits to installing a long travel suspension kit on your Polaris Ranger:

• Improves ride quality and comfort over rough terrain
• Increases ground clearance for clearing large obstacles
• Enhances traction and stability on uneven ground
• Reduces bottoming out over jumps and drops
• Allows for larger wheel/tire upgrades

The extra suspension travel helps smooth out the ride and prevent harsh bottom-outs, allowing you to tackle rugged trails and technical obstacles faster and with more control.

Popular Long Travel Ranger Kits

There are a few leading brands producing long travel kits for the Polaris Ranger. Here are some of the most popular options:

Fuel Fab Long Travel Kit

Fuel Fab offers a bolt-on long travel kit that increases wheel travel to 16 inches. It comes with new trailing arms, radius rods, and shock towers engineered for optimal geometry. Fuel Fab kits are known for their ease of installation and quality components.

SuperATV Long Travel System

SuperATV makes lift kits and long travel systems for most Ranger models. Their kit uses a 3-inch lift spindle paired with a trailing arm and radius rod kit to deliver 16-18 inches of wheel travel. It's a great option for running large tires.

GDP Portals Long Travel Portal Axle Kit

For maximum suspension travel, GDP Portals makes a long travel portal axle conversion system. It converts the stock axles to portal gear housings that increase ground clearance while delivering up to 20 inches of wheel travel. It's the most extreme long travel option.

Considerations When Installing a Long Travel Kit

While long travel kits transform how your Ranger performs off-road, there are some important considerations to factor in during installation:

• Ensure you get a kit made specifically for your Ranger model/year.
• Kits may require prior suspension modifications like a lift kit.
• Longer suspension arms can increase stress on other components.
• Re-tuning shock valving is recommended when increasing travel.
• You may need extended brake lines, wider axles, and other supporting mods.

Always work with a qualified mechanic to install a long travel kit. The Ranger will likely need a full suspension upgrade and chassis reinforcement to handle the increased stresses of long travel.

Setting Up Your Long Travel Ranger for Success

Once you upgrade to a long travel suspension, there are some additional modifications you can make to get the most out of it:

• Wheels & Tires - Fitting larger diameter wheels and tires helps improve ground clearance and traction.
• Sway Bars - Upgraded sway bars enhance handling with the longer suspension arms.
• Shock Tuning - Having your shocks re-valved for long travel by an expert improves damping and ride quality.
• Chassis Bracing - Adding bracing bars and gussets reduces chassis flex under heavy loads.
• Axle Strength - Upgraded axle shafts, differentials, and carriers may be needed to handle big tires and landing big jumps.

With the right complementary modifications, a long travel kit will transform your Ranger into an incredibly capable high performance trail machine.

hitting the Trails with a Long Travel Ranger

Once you have your Polaris Ranger outfitted with a high quality long travel suspension kit, a whole new world of off-road adventure opens up. The increased wheel articulation allows you to tackle trails that would be unthinkable with a stock Ranger.

Navigating Rocky Terrain

Rock crawling is one of the most demanding forms of off-road driving. The long suspension on a Ranger with a long travel kit flexes to keep all 4 tires planted on the rocks. The extra travel helps absorb impacts from large boulders while the increased ground clearance keeps you from bottoming out.

Blazing desert trails

Long travel kits shine in the open desert where high speed trail rides are the name of the game. Hitting whoops, G-outs, and other rough terrain at speed puts a lot of stress on a suspension system. A long travel Ranger can absorb these impacts smoothly and maintain control.

Climbing Steep Grades

Increasing the Ranger's approach, departure, and breakover angles allows you to climb steeper inclines without dragging or getting hung up. The long suspension arms provide more flex so the tires maintain contact with the ground on uneven climbs.

Jumping Sandy Dunes

Sand dunes provide endless opportunities for catching big air. Whether you are dune bashing or trail riding in the desert, the plush long travel suspension of an upgraded Ranger cushions landings off jumps and kickers.

Blasting Through Deep Ruts

Rutted out trails littered with holes and trenches can give most stock side-by-sides fits. But a long travel Ranger glides over ruts and gulleys with ease. The massive suspension travel and ground clearance means deep ruts are no longer an obstacle.

In all types of aggressive off-roading, upgrading to a long travel suspension allows Ranger drivers to push harder into terrain that would overwhelm a stock vehicle. The difference in capability is truly remarkable.

Maintenance Tips for Long Travel Rangers

While long travel kits transform the off-road performance of your Polaris Ranger, they also place additional stress on components. Here are some tips to maintain your Ranger and keep it running strong:

Frequently Inspect Suspension and Steering

The suspension arms, rods, bushings, and bearings take more punishment with long travel, so stay on top of inspecting them. Also check steering linkages and tie rod ends often.

Change Oils Frequently

With harder use, change engine, transmission, and differential oils more often than the manual suggests. Keeping fresh oil reduces wear.

Check Wheel Alignment

Long travel can throw off wheel alignment over time, causing uneven tire wear. Have alignment checked periodically and adjusted as needed.

Clean After Muddy Rides

Pressure wash the chassis after muddy rides to remove dirt and debris that lead to corrosion and mechanical issues.

Examine Air Filter

Inspect the engine air filter after dusty/sandy rides and clean or replace it as needed to avoid power loss or damage.

Add Skid Plates

Adding skid plates to exposed parts of the chassis and drivetrain protects them from impacts on the trail.

While long travel kits require more vigilant maintenance, the performance payoff is well worth the extra care and work.

The Future of Long Travel Rangers

As Polaris continues releasing new and updated Ranger models, the aftermarket long travel kit segment keeps pace. Kit companies are already producing long travel suspension upgrades for the latest Rangers like the 1000 EPS LE.

Some emerging long travel tech trends include:

• Longer suspension arms pushing 20+ inches of wheel travel
• Closed loop digital shock control systems
• Heavy duty portal gear conversion axle kits
• Integrated chassis stiffening and reinforcement
• Big bore shocks with enormous oil capacity

Look for these innovations to push the performance envelope even further. Ranger owners demand the ultimate in capability and kits keep delivering. It's an exciting time for upgrading your Ranger's suspension travel.

So if you own a Polaris Ranger and have dreams of conquering extreme terrain, a long travel suspension kit is a transformative upgrade. With proper installation and supplemental mods, a long travel Ranger build can turn your trusty side-by-side into a desert dominating Baja racer or a rock crawling monster.

FAQs

How much wheel travel do long travel kits add?

Most long travel kits increase wheel travel to 16-18 inches, compared to the 10-12 inches of travel from the stock Ranger suspension.

What tools are needed to install a long travel kit?

Basic hand tools like wrenches, sockets, pry bars, and jack stands are required. A floor jack makes installation easier. Some drilling may be required.

Do I need a lift kit with a long travel kit?

Some long travel kits include lift components like lift spindles. But for maximum suspension travel, an add-on lift kit is recommended.

Will a long travel kit void my vehicle warranty?

Yes, installing an aftermarket long travel kit will typically void the factory suspension warranty from Polaris.

What maintenance is required after installing a long travel kit?

Expect to replace bushings, ball joints, and tie rod ends more frequently. It's also smart to upgrade axles, check alignment often, and re-valve shocks.