UTV/SXS Trends and build info, technical discussion.

[blt2krawl]

I've been off the wheeling scene for the last few years and I feel like I want to get back on the wagon. Except this time I want to drop into the utv side of the game. I wanted to pick the general populations brain on this.

Three parts:


-Those of you who have went from full-sized rigs to the SXS, do you miss having a big rig?


-How come our forum here hasn't grown in terms of information and builds? Why don't the usual suspects (Ruffstuff) etc specialize in build parts for the UTV market?


-Lastly and most importantly, has anyone out there built or have insight on howbrew alternatives for parts and donors?

I know people have used many different powerplants from the APEX snowmobile to the Hyabusa motors. Any advantages or disadvantages to this?

I've seen Sammy transfer cases and Subaru differentials being used, any other options out there?

Are 930s, RCVs, etc the only option for axles or have others been tried?

I'd like to build something and get back into building a rig but I'm having a hard time finding info. Just curious what you guys out there know.

Thanks

 

[drkelly]

If I was going to get into a SxS, it would be a Can-Am Maverick X3. That is all I've got to share.

Maverick X3 | Can-Am

This guy is big into the SxS business:
@CTRaceWorx

Contact him with your questions.

 

[CTRaceWorx]

I've spent a lot of time in full size rigs, whether it was crawling or going fast. The SxS are more fun but they aren't going to take the beating that the full size stuff is going to take, especially in the rocks. BUT they are way more nimble, you can ride at at least triple the amount of places that you could in a full size rig and you can go faster than a dirt bike or quad on the trails and still be technical and play in the rocks. I've built a handful of the X3s so far, lots of the older Mavericks and the X3 is the most fun I've had out of any machine.

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

I've spent a lot of time in full size rigs, whether it was crawling or going fast. The SxS are more fun but they aren't going to take the beating that the full size stuff is going to take, especially in the rocks. BUT they are way more nimble, you can ride at at least triple the amount of places that you could in a full size rig and you can go faster than a dirt bike or quad on the trails and still be technical and play in the rocks.

I would agree with this. If you miss getting in the rocks or hitting the technical stuff and big obstacles, a sxs isnt going to do it for you. If you like trail riding or going fast, it is the ticket.

sidekick/trackers are the closest to a cheap SxS that i have seen, but they arent really close. They cant go as fast or handle as well, but can handle some time in the rocks too. There is a thread on Pirate discussing this topic.

Some of the SxS parks dont allow "custom" built SxSs though, so be careful with how you go down that path. For the most part, the factory sxs has many parts that are hard or $$$ to replicate with different drivetrains (with weight in mind).[/QUOTE]

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

BUT they are way more nimble, you can ride at at least triple the amount of places that you could in a full size rig and you can go faster than a dirt bike or quad on the trails and still be technical and play in the rocks. I've built a handful of the X3s so far, lots of the older Mavericks and the X3 is the most fun I've had out of any machine.

@CTRaceWorx Slightly off topic, but knowing what you said here, and Shannon Campbell mentioned the same thing after running the SxSs at KOH; I have started to wonder, with the money going into KOH/Ultra4, how long before someone is running a SxS that can hold up to the abuse and speeds of a 4400 race? I know there was one that entered this years race, but havent heard how that went.

 

[NickMaul]

I'll voice my opinion about the second question coming from a wheeler on a budget.

Many people get hung up on the fact they are not street legal. It would make more sense to own if you could run out to the grocery store or go for a joy ride in one.

Also the presence of the wrangler JK and the ridiculous aftermarket support funnels in a lot of people that want a vehicle to hit trails with. I have seen bolt on kits for coilover suspensions most recently which blows my mind. So there goes a chunk of people that can justify dropping coin on a comfortable, capable off-road rig. UTVs are approaching the size of my XJ and two door JKs.

As far as seeing them on this forum? If you can't drop a LS V8 into whatever you want to hit the trails with it isn't worth our time


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[anvilrubi]

Currently building up my commander I'll put some photos up when it's done, I'm still loving mine so far. It can get a little tippy but I'm about to stretch it 6 inches and put long a arms on it.

 

[CTRaceWorx]

@CTRaceWorx Slightly off topic, but knowing what you said here, and Shannon Campbell mentioned the same thing after running the SxSs at KOH; I have started to wonder, with the money going into KOH/Ultra4, how long before someone is running a SxS that can hold up to the abuse and speeds of a 4400 race? I know there was one that entered this years race, but havent heard how that went.

Yeah I actually built that SxS. He wrapped the gold with a highlighter color. He broke a spindle side radius rod bolt amd it killed the spindle when it broke.

It's getting closer and closer with every new model but it's going to take time. Weight is the enemy and getting the setup to hold a beating and without adding a ton of weight is extremely hard.
They shine in the go fast areas and not really the in the rocks but time will tell. That new IFS IRS UFO buggy is just a big SxS.

 

[blt2krawl]

I know guys like Rhys Millen and Alex are doing some big things with these platforms. Does anyone have any info on parts used to make the things unique- last longer, or just using "out of the box" methods?

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

Yeah I actually built that SxS. He wrapped the gold with a highlighter color. He broke a spindle side radius rod bolt amd it killed the spindle when it broke.

It's getting closer and closer with every new model but it's going to take time. Weight is the enemy and getting the setup to hold a beating and without adding a ton of weight is extremely hard.
They shine in the go fast areas and not really the in the rocks but time will tell. That new IFS IRS UFO buggy is just a big SxS.

I agree. Beefy parts are the big stopper to me.

The 4400 cars are push 500+hp, but id say they aren't using all of it. They also weigh in the 4500lb range.

If you could get a SxS with 200-250hp weighing in at ~2500lb on 35-37" tires, it could be very competitive. If it could stay together. I also think that with tire balls being banned, a lighter car would take an advantage here.

 

[CTRaceWorx]

I know guys like Rhys Millen and Alex are doing some big things with these platforms. Does anyone have any info on parts used to make the things unique- last longer, or just using "out of the box" methods?

Man, Rhys Millen is such a cool guy. Out at the race he's just a normal guy. He doesn't have a cocky attitude and will answer anything you ask him.

We both run the same platform. A 2017 RZR XP Turbo 4 seater turned into a 2 seater. They look like mini 10 cars. We all have our little unique tricks that we use to try to make parts live longer.

 

[CTRaceWorx]

I agree. Beefy parts are the big stopper to me.

The 4400 cars are push 500+hp, but id say they aren't using all of it. They also weigh in the 4500lb range.

If you could get a SxS with 200-250hp weighing in at ~2500lb on 35-37" tires, it could be very competitive. If it could stay together. I also think that with tire balls being banned, a lighter car would take an advantage here.

Yeah my X3 has 205hp at 1600 pounds and it's an absolute handful. But I don't think UTVs will ever handle a 35-37" tire in the rocks.
I ran tire balls last year in the desert and we choose not to because they felt like they were going to shake the car apart on the lake beds and high speed sections. I think the goal of building a car light is going to come back into play soon.

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

Yeah my X3 has 205hp at 1600 pounds and it's an absolute handful. But I don't think UTVs will ever handle a 35-37" tire in the rocks.
I ran tire balls last year in the desert and we choose not to because they felt like they were going to shake the car apart on the lake beds and high speed sections. I think the goal of building a car light is going to come back into play soon.

I agree with this completely. I also think it will take a lot of money or cost alot of weight to get a SXS to reliably hold 35" tires, but I feel like until then, there will be a definate gap between UTVs and 4400 cars. I am interested to watch the 2 get closer towards each other, though.

 

[CTRaceWorx]

Yeah. You could run RCVs but the wheel bearings and hubs still won't like the tires. Plus there really aren't any gearing options to support the big tires and the CVTs can only do so much to compensate for tires. But then the problems will move to the transmissions and so on.
They're getting tougher though. The big step will be when we get paddle shift transmissions and a legit low range unlike the Yamaha

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[blt2krawl]

What about going to a non-Cvt transmission. Or using something like the WRX with reverse cut gears? They make them, also is there a build thread on here for the chassis that was recently put up for sale in kernersville? Using a BUSA/Sami/wrx drivetrain?