While your stock Defender is a capable machine, you can take its performance to the next level with just a few top-quality parts. And even better news, you won’t have to empty out your wallet to get the upgrades you’re looking for. If you want to take on new terrain or improve your engine, acceleration, suspension, or handling performance, this guide is for you.
Getting the most out of your Defender’s engine doesn’t mean you need to replace what you have or spend big on an overhaul. What you need is an ECU tuner. An ECU tuner is a cost-effective and powerful way to boost top speed and rev limiters, and increase horsepower, all while giving you the diagnostic info you need to make changes and adjustments to get your engine humming exactly like you want it to.
Improving engine torque and acceleration is also important if you’re looking for real engine gains. That’s where a top-quality clutch kit can come in, well, clutch. An aftermarket clutch kit will provide better torque and low-end engagement, plus the faster acceleration will keep you at the head of the pack. You can also pick a clutch kit designed for maximum performance over your favorite terrain, giving you even more of an edge wherever you ride.
Upgrading the suspension is key if you want your rig to chew up and spit out all the rough terrain you ride. A great place to start is with your shocks. High-quality shocks provide a consistent, smooth ride that helps keep you comfortable and in control no matter how gnarly the trails get. There are other pieces of your suspension that could use some leveling up too, so why not start with ball joints and high-clearance a-arms?
If you’re looking for better clearance and performance over tough terrain, look no further than the best lift kits and portal gears around? Lifting your Defender will allow you to run bigger tires, conquer obstacles that you’ve been avoiding, and look like a badass doing it.
High-quality tires and wheels are no-brainer upgrades for improving your Can-Am Defender’s performance. Premium tires will give you better traction and comfort on every ride, and they’ll stand up better to potential punctures. Tires are also a great upgrade choice if you’re looking to customize your rig to your ride. You can get a set of all-terrain tires for daily riding or hitting the trails, and if you want to go hit the mud holes or climb some rocks, just pick up a set of purpose-built tires to swap onto your rig.
If you’re going to upgrade your tires, you can’t forget your rims. Choosing high-quality wheels are key to enhancing the performance of your new tires. If you need more grip, especially over rocks and in the mud, SuperATV’s beadlock wheels will let you run your tires at lower pressure to get the traction you’re looking for.
Upgrading your Can-Am Defender’s intake and exhaust is a great way to get the most out of your machine. Replacing stock intake and exhaust with aftermarket air intakes and exhaust systems will do wonders for cutting weight and increasing airflow, allowing your engine to produce more power and an improved throttle response that will make sure you can use that power exactly as you want to.
If you love hitting the mud holes or riding through deep water, pick up a snorkel kit for your Defender. A snorkel will raise your air intake high by a couple feet and keep your vital transmission, clutch, and engine components from getting swamped.
Quality upgrades to your clutch and transmission can increase your torque and acceleration, as mentioned above, while also enhancing power transfer, shifting, and throttle response.
Get the most out of your Defender’s engine with a heavy-duty, top-of-the-line drive belt. It’s one of the keys to getting better power transfer through your clutch (which is why our clutch kits come with a quality drive belt), improved longevity, less fraying, reduced slippage, and increased heat resistance that lets you push your rig to its maximum performance.
The best advice? Take your time. Start with a specific area you want to improve and choose the parts that will provide the best upgrades. After you’ve made these basic improvements to your rig, you can make smaller and more granular adjustments as your Defender needs them. One of the most important things to remember: there’s no shame in asking for help! If you aren’t completely sure you can properly install your upgraded parts, get help from a pro.
Get your Defender running at its best when you upgrade with durable, high-quality parts from SuperATV. We have everything you need to boost your performance and make your rides the best they’ve ever been.
