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Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy Your First UTV Lift Kit

By Kavan Wright | Behind The Wheel on May 31, 2018
9M READ
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Congratulations—you bought your first UTV! You’ve been riding around all over the dang place and having a stinking blast. You no longer have to sit shotgun with that one friend that convinced you to take the plunge in the first place. Now you look forward to the weekends when you don’t have any plans because that means it’s a riding weekend.

There’s one problem: Just about everybody you talk to has a lift kit… and now you want one, too. But where to start? Your buddy has a small lift kit that he paid a few hundred bucks for. Maybe that’s for you. Betty went big with her lift and now she brings a step ladder with her to get into the driver’s seat. Is that too big? Jimmy went the cheap route and built his own lift out of bits of other people’s leftover scraps. You know you don’t want that.

You’ve come to the right place, you first-time lifter. We’ll break it down so you can figure out how much effort it takes to install a UTV lift kit, how much money you can expect to spend, and the benefits of each.

Front shot of Can-Am Maverick with SuperATV Lift Kit
A lift kit can change the look, feel, and capability of your machine. But there are so many different kinds. Which one is right for you?
Photo by SuperATV

What Can a Lift Kit Do for You?

I’m guessing that you have three reasons for getting a lift kit.

  1. You want more clearance.
  2. You want bigger tires.
  3. They make your machine (and you by extension) look good.

One or more of these apply to you right now, so let’s see how each type of UTV lift accomplishes those three goals—and for what price.

What Kind of Lift Is Right for Me?

There are really just three types of lifts you’ll come across: spring spacer lifts, bracket lifts, and portal gear lifts. Spring spacer lifts and bracket lifts involve making your shocks and suspension reach further, while portal lifts put the lift right out in the hub, instead of at the shock.

Price is certainly a huge factor when deciding what kind of lift is right for you, but there are other considerations as well. Do you have experience in the garage? Which are the easiest to install? Which lift kit will give your machine the most clearance? If you’re willing to do the research to find the right product, your lift will take your riding to the next level. This article will help you get started.

Spring Spacer Lift

Spring spacer lifts are your most basic lift. I’m tempted to call them “entry level” but that doesn’t really go far enough. This is the smallest, cheapest, and easiest lift kit you can buy for your machine. The kit itself typically includes four aluminum spacers that fit on top of your shock spring. This compresses your shock spring farther than it would naturally and causes your shock to push down on your suspension harder. The result is a small amount of lift—typically one or two inches. On certain shocks, this effect can be achieved to some degree without the shock spacer by utilizing the built-in threaded collar.

This side-by-side lift is perfect for people who are on a tight budget or who only want a small amount of lift to help clear small rocks, ruts, and obstacles. Keep in mind that the smaller the lift, the less stress it puts on your suspension.

Installing a spring spacer lift is easy and shouldn’t take longer than an hour or two. You will need tools to get your shocks off your machine, and you’ll want a dedicated spring compressor tool to get the spacer on safely. It’s all super basic stuff that won’t put a dent in your wallet.

The benefits of a spring spacer lift are obvious: they’re cheap and easy to install. They’re limited in the amount of lift they can deliver (typically one or two inches only), but they’re a decent bang for your buck.

Spring Spacer Lift Breakdown

1) Clearance: When it comes to our three goals for a lift kit, a spring spacer lift might come up a little short. You get a modest amount of clearance (the aforementioned one or two inches), and you’ll clear some obstacles that tangled you up before, but it won’t be a major game changer.

2) Tire Size: It’s hard to quantify how much a lift will increase your max tire size exactly because every make, model, and year is different. You’ll probably be able to sneak in another inch or so of tire diameter. A small increase, but it can make big differences in certain circumstances.

3) Style: Finally, and most importantly, the coolishness factor. This is a pretty straightforward scale: bigger = better. This one is right at the bottom of the scale—it’s better than nothing and it looks cool, but we’re just getting started here.

Front side shot of Honda Talon
You can see the spring spacers at the top of this Talon’s shock. They’re simple, easy, and reliable. They only give you a small lift, though, and stiffen your suspension somewhat.
Photo by SuperATV

Small Bracket Lift

Bracket lifts are the most common type of side-by-side lift in the industry. They can be big (5-10″) or small (2-4″) in size. You’ll find a greater variety of bracket lifts than any other style. That means that more companies are fighting to make the best, most affordable bracket lifts possible.

Bracket lifts work by moving the mounting points of your shocks, which essentially make your shocks longer. That pushes your A-arms and/or trailing arms down further, giving you lift. These lifts are built with welded steel plates that fit around your factory shock mounting points in order to move them. This is usually done at the upper mounting point but can also be done at the lower mounting point on the A-arm itself.

Small bracket lifts (2-4″) usually include these brackets for the front and rear suspension, and nothing else. They utilize metal brackets (usually steel) to change the upper mounting location. This brings your shock into a more vertical orientation, which causes it to push down on your suspension. These types of lifts tend to give you a slightly greater lift than a shock spacer would (without breaking the bank), and most don’t require you to replace any suspension parts.

Small bracket lifts are simple to install and shouldn’t take longer than two hours. Some bracket lifts will include one bracket for one end and one pair of spring spacers for the opposite end.

Small Bracket Lift Breakdown

1) Clearance: Up to four inches of clearance is a game changer. You’ll notice a major difference in the types of terrain your machine can handle and the types of obstacles you can roll right over. Smaller rocks and bushes ain’t got nothing on your extra four inches of lift. (The big ones will still give you grief, though.)

2) Tire Size: Now we’re talking. You should be able to upgrade your tire size by two or three inches with a 4″ lift. You’ll see major changes in your ride height and your terrain-tackling ability with larger tires. Not to mention they look good.

3) Style: Speaking of looking good, a small bracket lift is starting to break into that “lift look” that caught your attention in the first place. But let’s see how far we can push it.

4) Price: $200-$500

SuperATV Rhino 2.0 Axle installed on Polaris RZR
This lift has limit straps on the shock. Limit straps keep you from overextending and destroying your shock.
Photo by SuperATV

Big Bracket Lift

Big bracket lifts (5-10″) are for the enthusiast rider. They’re more expensive and require a lot more installation time than smaller lifts, but the payoff is huge! This type of lift requires new trailing arms, radius arms, A-arms, axles, tie rods, and brake lines. Occasionally they’ll come with new shock springs or new, longer shocks altogether, which forego the need for brackets. Any good big lift kit will come with everything you need in the box (or several boxes), including a steering stop kit to keep you from binding your axles.

Installation for big lift kits takes time—it’s a total suspension overhaul. If you’ve never done work like this on your machine before, you should plan for a full weekend. If you can coax an experienced friend or neighbor to help you out, you can finish it in half a day. The holdups come from installing new brake lines (bleeding brakes can be aggravating the first few times you do it) and the sheer volume of parts you’re replacing. Just offer to buy your buddy lunch and get him in the garage with you.

Big Bracket Lift Breakdown

1) Clearance: Ten inches of lift—are you kidding me? You’re on your way to clearing fifty-gallon barrels with a lift like that.

2) Tire Size: With a 10″ lift you’re only limited by your machine. We’re talking 36″+ on most machines. With tires that big and heavy, you’ll want to think about installing a gear reduction kit to keep from destroying your drive train and burning up belts.

3) Style: This is it. As big as it gets without some serious custom fab. You’ll get complements everywhere you go—just make sure you bring that step ladder with you.

4) Price: $1,000-$3,000

Rear shot of Can-Am Defender with SuperATV 6" Lift Kit
A big lift gives you big clearance. They change the identity of any machine they’re installed on. A Ranger with a big lift becomes a monster custom build.
Photo by SuperATV

Portal Gear Lift

Portal gear lifts are a whole other beast with some serious benefits over traditional lifts. You can get this kit as a 4″, 6″, or 8″ lift. The lift itself comes in the form of a box hub that replaces your OEM hub. Portal gear lifts are great for just about any application and terrain. This lift will take your machine through tougher obstacles easier than any other lift.

Each hub has an input where the outer end of your axle goes in, and an output shaft four or six inches lower where your wheel attaches. The lower output shaft is driven by gears inside the box that also give you gear reduction, which increases your torque.

GDP Portal Gear Lift installed on Can-Am Maverick X3
This 8″ GDP Portal Gear Lift gives you a huge lift and a killer gear reduction so you can run big tractor tires. The best part? It doesn’t change your axle geometry and it reduces strain on your drivetrain.
Photo by SuperATV

What does all that mean for you? Keep your stock A-arms, trailing arms, axles, and tie rods. Your suspension geometry is unchanged, so you don’t put any extra stress on your drivetrain (even with bigger tires). Portal gear lifts change everything. Even those impossible-looking trails are child’s play when you have a portal gear lift. Other lifts don’t have that major performance boost. The price tag might be a little higher than your average bracket lift, but the benefits are worth the investment.

A portal gear lift includes four hubs, brackets and steering arms for each of those arms, and brake lines. The installation is not terribly complicated (apart from bleeding the brake lines) but it takes time to mount everything in place. This is another buddy job—less than one day with a buddy, two or more days by yourself.

Check out our GDP Portal Gear Lifts to learn more about what SuperATV’s portals can do for you.

Portal Gear Lift Breakdown

1) Clearance: Not as big as the biggest bracket lifts, but eight inches is nothing to scoff at. You’ll find your way over tough obstacles like they were flat ground with six extra inches of clearance combined with that 45% gear reduction. SuperATV Portal Gear Lifts make your machine eight inches wider, granting more stability.

2) Tire Size: With 2-6″ larger tires, you will increase your clearance further and notice a huge difference in your capabilities. The best part is that you have no need for a gear reduction kit—it’s built right in!

3) Style: That huge clearance, those monster tires, and killer ride performance to boot? It’s the full package, and it’s sure to turn eyes from coast to coast.

4) Price: $2,900-$5,000

The Mega Lift

There’s one more thing you can do to take your lift game over the top. It’s unbeatable and unstoppable. It’s the coup de grace of lift kits and it’s reserved only for the most experienced and ambitious lift fanatics.

I’m talking about putting a big 10″ lift on top of a 8″ portal gear lift. It’s possible (portals don’t screw with your suspension, remember?), it’s been done, and we do it all the time here at SuperATV.

10″ Lift Kit + 8″ Portal Kit Breakdown

1) Clearance: !!

2) Tire Size: Tractor++

3) Style: ∞

4) Price: Who cares???

Now that you’ve got the knowledge to find the perfect UTV lift kit for you, it’s time to go out and get one. Whether you go with a spacer lift or a portal gear lift, you won’t have any regrets. Spending money on your machine is all about having more fun. So have fun in the best possible way by riding a little higher than you used to.

RELATED CONTENT: lift kits23 new riders24
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42 Comments

  1. Avatar for Mark Rose Mark Rose says:
    April 18, 2020 at 10:07 pm

    I need a 3” lift for a 2014 Walker Evans 800

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      April 22, 2020 at 11:34 am

      Hey Mark, thanks for reading! Unfortunately, we do not currently offer a 3″ lift for this model, as the demand is not high enough. We’re sorry about that. Feel free to reach out at a later date!

      Reply
    • Avatar for Craig Pickering Craig Pickering says:
      May 9, 2020 at 5:22 pm

      I would like to install a 2″ bracket lift kit on my 2019 Can-am Max XT. Will wheel spacers be needed to widen the stance for stability with a 2″ lift kit? I have already gone up to a 26″ tire from the stock 25″ that came with the ATV.

      Reply
      • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
        May 11, 2020 at 10:20 am

        Hey Craig, most 2″ bracket lifts don’t require wheel spacers. People do add them for more stability if needed, but it’s more of a personal preference. Thanks for reading!

        Reply
  2. Avatar for Paul Paul says:
    April 27, 2020 at 10:22 pm

    I need any kind of lift kit fir 2017 Artic Cat Prowler 500??

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      April 29, 2020 at 2:09 pm

      Hey Paul, unfortunately we do not currently offer any bracket lifts for the Prowler. However, we do have a 4″ portal gear lift that will get you added ground clearance as well as gear reduction. Take a look: https://www.superatv.com/arctic-cat-prowler-4-inch-portal-gear-lift-g3

      Reply
      • Avatar for Nolan Nolan says:
        January 18, 2021 at 8:00 pm

        Has anyone ever installed bracket lift with the spring lift kit? Would it make any sense to go this route

        Reply
        • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
          January 19, 2021 at 10:55 am

          Hey Nolan, thanks for reading! Although yes, you could run both as long as it doesn’t bind your CVs and/or mess up steering geometry, it’s not something we typically recommend. We appreciate the support!

          Reply
  3. Avatar for Jason Jason says:
    May 2, 2020 at 6:30 pm

    Do I Need limiting scraps on a small 2” bracket lift?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      May 4, 2020 at 10:23 am

      Hey Jason, thanks for reading! With this type of question, the indicator is normally with your shocks. However, with a small lift like that, you shouldn’t need them.

      Reply
  4. Avatar for Thomas Parenteau Thomas Parenteau says:
    May 14, 2020 at 4:33 am

    I’m looking for a lift for my 2019 1000r outlander xt. I’m wondering if you could help me out?!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      May 15, 2020 at 2:29 pm

      Hey Thomas, although we haven’t got a 2019 Outlander 1000R XT in for fitment testing yet, we did have a customer order this kit and said it worked just fine: https://www.superatv.com/can-am-outlander-2-lift-kit. The only thing was that it didn’t work on the rear because the shock mounts are different. Feel free to give our customer service a call if you have any more questions: 855-743-3420. Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  5. Avatar for Aaron Sanford Aaron Sanford says:
    May 31, 2020 at 1:55 pm

    I need a life for my 2018 outlander Xmr 570 ?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      June 1, 2020 at 9:34 am

      Hey Aaron, thanks for reading! We have a 6″ lift kit that will work with your ride. Check it out here: https://www.superatv.com/can-am-outlander-renegade-6-lift-kit-gen-2-00 We also have 4″ and 6″ portals that are compatible if you’re interested in those.

      Reply
  6. Avatar for Thomas Linseman Thomas Linseman says:
    July 16, 2020 at 8:06 pm

    2011 ranger xp 800 walker evens i have 2 lift and it said wheel spacer need on front with 12″ rims but my front tires clear and rear tire rub on springs and will 14″ rims fix this

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      July 17, 2020 at 3:29 pm

      It depends on the backspacing of the wheel. If it has a smaller backspacing than the current wheel, then the tire won’t rub. If the wheel has the same or larger backspacing, it will definitely rub and may not fit at all. Thanks for reading, Thomas!

      Reply
  7. Avatar for Jon Kimmell Jon Kimmell says:
    August 6, 2020 at 9:07 am

    I have a 2019 Can Am Max turbo 4 seater and wanting a 4″ lift. What’s best option?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      August 6, 2020 at 2:32 pm

      Hey Jon, do you have a Maverick, Maverick X3, or a Commander? Thanks for the support!

      Reply
  8. Avatar for John eira John eira says:
    August 18, 2020 at 3:23 pm

    Hei. Which type of lift kit is best for uforce 1000?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      August 20, 2020 at 4:36 pm

      Hey John, thanks for reading! The lift kit that we currently offer is for the Z-force, but we are working on confirming fitment for the U-force. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of lift options for CFMOTO right now, but I will pass this onto to our product development team. We appreciate the support!

      Reply
      • Avatar for Kenon Wyatt Kenon Wyatt says:
        April 2, 2021 at 2:15 pm

        Hi, I’m looking for a 5-8 inch lift for my 2010 rzr 800. I was wondering what would be the best option? Thank you!

        Reply
        • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
          April 5, 2021 at 8:59 am

          Hey Kenon, thanks for reaching out! We currently offer a couple lifts for this machine. We’ve got a 5″ lift and a 6″ lift. Here are links to check them out: https://www.superatv.com/polaris-rzr-5-inch-lift-kit-high-clearance-1-5-offset or https://www.superatv.com/polaris-rzr-800-lift-kit-6-inch-high-clearance. We also have 4 and 6″ portal lifts available if that is something you’re interested in. Feel free to reach out to our customer service team with any order help. You can reach us at 855-743-3427. Thanks for the support!

          Reply
  9. Avatar for Jamie Kessler Jamie Kessler says:
    October 19, 2020 at 7:41 pm

    Do you have a lift you recommend for a 2020 Artic Cat Prowler Pro?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      October 20, 2020 at 8:16 am

      Hey Jamie, thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, we do not currently offer a lift for this machine. I’ll be sure to forward this request along to our new product development team. Thanks for the support!

      Reply
  10. Avatar for Matt Fitz Matt Fitz says:
    November 13, 2020 at 2:02 am

    Back in August, someone asked about a UForce 1000 from CFMOTO, is there any follow up since then?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      November 13, 2020 at 10:01 am

      Hey Matt, thanks for reaching back out! It’s taken us a while to get one in for try-on. I just checked back with our shop and it sounds like we should be able to do so in the upcoming weeks. Thanks for the support, and we hope to have an answer for you ASAP!

      Reply
  11. Avatar for joseph troiani joseph troiani says:
    November 26, 2020 at 4:28 pm

    Do you have a lift that fits a 2015 Can am limited I just picked it up and it doesn’t have much clearance. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      November 30, 2020 at 1:36 pm

      Hey Joseph, what kind of Can-Am do you have? There are a few Limited models. Thanks!

      Reply
  12. Avatar for Miles Pappas Miles Pappas says:
    February 16, 2021 at 12:03 am

    I am looking for a lift for my 2021 honda 1000×4. I already installed super atv high clearance a arms and 2” wheel spacers in the rear. I have 36” tractor tires on 20” wheels that I am trying to clear. It clears them now without the wheel spacers but does rub when turning on the back of the front fender. I am thinking if I put 1” wheel spacers on front along with the 2” spacers on rear, I won’t need a huge lift. I am looking to just clear 36” tires. Which my honda 1000r did with no problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      February 16, 2021 at 8:51 am

      Hey Miles! We do not recommend stacking wheel spacers like that. It can cause other problems like wearing out wheel bearings quicker than you should. As of right now, the only option is to add portals to your current setup in order to clear 36’s. We appreciate you reaching out!

      Reply
  13. Avatar for Don darby Don darby says:
    February 19, 2021 at 8:35 pm

    I’m considering the 6 inch lift for my 2018 ranger , I see that it gives me a 7 inch wider stance , my concern is that I use my ranger for hunting mainly and it is already not real side hill friendly with this lift and the wider stance does it help or diminish the stability, I’m always concerned about rolling on a hillside

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      February 22, 2021 at 1:23 pm

      Hey Don! The 6″ lift is going to make it a little more top heavy than it would be at stock height, but given the lift added, it is considerably more stable than it would be without the added width. You can also help stability by adding wheel spacers, or even a more offset wheel. Thanks for checking in!

      Reply
  14. Avatar for Ben Ben says:
    February 28, 2021 at 1:49 pm

    I have 2017 ranger crew xp 1000 and thinking of adding a bracket lift. Looking at either 3” or 4”. Will I need to upgrade axels? Will straps be needed and pastels what size tires could I go to without clearance issues.
    Thank you for your help.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      March 1, 2021 at 1:47 pm

      Hey Ben! We have a 2″ or 3″ bracket lift. Anytime you’re increasing axle CV angles, you’re adding stress to the axles. So upgrading is never a bad idea, but it’s mainly going to depend on your style of riding. Limit straps will not be necessary unless you’re planning on eliminating sway bars. With just the 3″ lift and no other additional lift or offset A-arms, the largest tire you could clear (with absolutely no contact during full shock compression or turn) is a 28.9″ on the 2017 models. https://www.superatv.com/polaris-ranger-fullsize-1000-3-inch-lift-kit Feel free to reach out to our customer service team at 855-743-3427 for any other questions. We appreciate the support!

      Reply
  15. Avatar for Hideaki Mizobuchi Hideaki Mizobuchi says:
    March 17, 2021 at 6:04 am

    Is there a hydraulic suspension for Kubota’s RTV1100? I want to use it for work across slopes.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      March 17, 2021 at 9:49 am

      Thanks for tuning in! Unfortunately, that’s not something that we currently work with. I’ve seen some companies do it for some Kubota models, but since it’s something we don’t really dabble in, there’s none that I can recommend for sure.

      Reply
  16. Avatar for tom tom says:
    April 15, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    how about a lift kit for a 2018 textron stampede?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      April 16, 2021 at 8:47 am

      Hey Tom! Unfortunately, this isn’t something that we’ve had a high enough demand for, but I will be sure to pass this along to our development team. We appreciate the feedback!

      Reply
  17. Avatar for Reid Lee Reid Lee says:
    June 22, 2021 at 10:16 pm

    Are there any lift kits coming for the Teryx4 S models?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Tyler Lichlyter Tyler Lichlyter says:
      June 23, 2021 at 11:33 am

      Hey Reid! We are currently in the works of getting one in the shop for try-ons. Stay tuned!

      Reply
  18. Avatar for Forrest Forrest says:
    September 26, 2021 at 5:47 am

    Will you have any bracket lifts coming out for the 2021 Can Am Commander

    Reply
    • Megan Randall says:
      September 27, 2021 at 2:54 pm

      Hi Forrest! We don’t currently have plans to make bracket lifts for the Commander. Thanks for checking in!

      Reply

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