You like it, you love it, you want more from it, but how do you decide which lift kit is right for your Ranger? At SuperATV, we make the best lift kits available with options for every rider’s needs. Whether you’re looking to add a few inches or you’re trying to go full beast mode, SuperATV has you covered. We’ve broken down the pros and cons of the top 5 most popular Polaris Ranger lift kit styles to help you find the one that’s just right.
A spring spacer lift is a metal ring (normally aluminum) that fits against your shock spring and squeezes it. This compresses the shock, causing it to push against the suspension and create lift and clearance. However, you only see improved clearance when the shocks are extended. If they’re fully compressed, your Ranger is back to stock height. Essentially, you’re not adding any height to the machine—it’s more like making your Ranger stand on its tip-toes.
Installation is uncomplicated. The trickiest part is using a spring compressor, which requires caution, but is fairly straightforward. You’ll be ready to roll in no time. One thing to keep in mind, though: all lifts put stress on your suspension and can change the feel of your ride. It’s up to you how much that matters.
A spring spacer lift is the right choice if you’re looking for something minimal—minimal price, lift, and work. They normally raise your rig 2-3”, which is great for tackling logs and rocks on the trail. We offer a high-quality 2” spacer lift for the Ranger that we back with a lifetime warranty. No matter what kind of abuse you put your Ranger through, SuperATV has your back.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 2-3” lift | No major style change |
| Low-cost | Stiffer suspension |
| Easy to install | No difference in max tire size |
| Lifetime warranty from SuperATV |
Brackets work by shifting the mounting points for your shocks. This readjustment changes the angle of the shocks and pushes your A-arms/trailing arms down. Just like a spacer lift, it makes your Ranger stretch to create additional clearance.
Bracket lifts come in two types: big and small. Small brackets are a great Polaris Ranger lift kit for the rider seeking a deal, whereas big brackets are an investment (more on that in a sec). Small brackets give your rig 2-4” of added clearance without breaking the bank.
Small bracket lifts are also easy to install. Not quite as easy as a spring spacer lift, but close, and most of the time they don’t require you to replace suspension parts. They also add space for larger tires, so you can conquer large obstacles with ease.
A small bracket lift is for riders who are looking for a slightly higher lift than a spacer would give without being too pricey. Plus, a small bracket lift starts to edge into that intimidating, powerful look you want. Of course, we have an awesome small bracket lift that’s perfect for your Ranger.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 2-4” lift | Not very noticeable |
| Low-cost | |
| Easy to install | |
| Lifetime warranty from SuperATV |
Big bracket lifts are another breed. They require a laundry list of new parts for proper installation—but it’s totally worth it. They lift your rig an incredible 5-10”. SuperATV has a heavy-duty bracket lift kit that’ll give your Ranger XP 1000 a full 6” of lift with room for 34” tires!
Installing your big bracket lift isn’t a job to do solo. You’ll have your work cut out for you replacing everything from A-arms to tie rods. You’ll also likely need to add a gear reduction kit to preserve your drivetrain after you’ve added the bracket lift and big tires. You’re basically transforming your Ranger into a whole new machine!
If you’re a hardcore rider or interested in becoming one, a big bracket lift might be for you. These lifts are for side-by-side owners that love mud, muck, and sludge. You’ll be able to take on even the deepest bogs with a big bracket lift on your Ranger.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pretty cool looking | Higher cost than small lifts |
| Super tall lifts—5-10”! | Time-consuming installation |
| Room for huge tires | Bigger tires put stress on your drivetrain without a gear reduction |
| Improved performance | |
| High clearance over obstacles | |
| Industry-leading warranty from SuperATV |
Portal gear lifts are a bit different from the lifts we’ve discussed so far because they don’t alter your Ranger’s suspension. Instead, they replace your OEM wheel hub with a gearbox. They typically come in 4”, 6”, or 8” varieties.
Besides increasing your Ranger’s clearance, they also provide gear reduction. The gearbox connects to your axle and a system of gears inside the box transfer energy to the wheel. This creates gear reduction, which improves torque and power. Plus, they can be combined with big bracket lifts to create the most enormous builds you’ve ever seen—but let’s not get ahead of ourselves! More on tractor-tire-worthy lifts in a bit.
Portal gear lifts are a great choice for serious UTV riders that take on a wide variety of trail types. With a portal gear lift, you’ll be confident on any terrain thanks to the increased torque. Your machine will look more hardcore and it’ll dominate every ride. SuperATV makes some of the best-known portal gear lifts on the market—GDP Portal Gear Lifts. Check out this 4” option with a lifetime warranty.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Impressive looking | Higher cost than big bracket lift |
| Improved torque and performance | Time-consuming installation |
| Doesn’t change your suspension | |
| Minimum 4” lift | |
| Larger tires | |
| No added stress to drivetrain | |
| Lifetime warranty from SuperATV |
Now we’ve arrived at a truly show-stopping option. The biggest of the big, the baddest of the bad. You can combine portal gear lifts and big bracket lifts to make your Ranger absolutely colossal. This 8” portal gear lift with a 6” big bracket lift is an unbeatable combination.
Putting together two of our biggest lift kits is not for the faint of heart. It takes some elbow grease, but you’ll see the payoff on every single ride. You’ll never need to hesitate at another mud pit or back down from rough terrain.
This option is for the true UTV fanatic. If you’re concerned with the peak of performance and style, not budget, you’ve found the right upgrades for your Ranger.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Super badass | Highest cost |
| Unbeatable performance and torque | Complicated installation |
| Sky-high lift | |
| HUGE tires—8” portals + 6” bracket lift = room for 44” tires! | |
| Head-turning | |
| Industry-leading warranty from SuperATV |
Whether you’re looking for a brand new 2021 Polaris Ranger lift kit or something for a rig that’s a little more broken in, we’ve got it. We include detailed instructions with all our lift kits to make even the most complicated setups as smooth as possible. Plus, we have tons of how-to videos and our Virtual Mechanic available, so you’ll never be left guessing.
With your new lift kit expertise, we know you’re ready to hand select your perfect lift kit and get started putting it together right away. See you on the trail!
