You’re staring at your Can-Am Renegade, a beast of a machine in its own right. But something’s missing. You see other rigs on the trail with a taller, more aggressive stance, and you know what it is: bigger tires. The thought of slapping a set of massive 32s on your quad is tempting, promising a whole new level of capability and trail presence.
We get it. That desire to go bigger and bolder is what the off-road spirit is all about. But jumping to a setup with can am renegade 32 inch tires isn’t just a simple swap. It’s a serious upgrade that transforms your machine, for better and for worse, and requires a system of supporting modifications to do it right.
Promise yourself this: you won’t be the rider who learns the hard way with a shredded belt or a snapped axle miles from the truck. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know—the real benefits, the non-negotiable supporting mods, the common problems to watch out for, and the best practices for a safe, reliable build. Let’s get your Renegade set up for dominance.
Why Go Big? The Real Benefits of Can Am Renegade 32 Inch Tires
Before we get into the nuts and bolts, let’s talk about the “why.” Upgrading to 32-inch tires is more than just an aesthetic choice; it’s a functional upgrade that directly impacts how your Renegade performs in challenging terrain. Understanding the benefits of can am renegade 32 inch tires helps justify the work and investment required.
Here’s what you truly gain:
- Massive Ground Clearance: This is the most obvious advantage. A larger tire physically lifts your differentials, frame, and A-arms higher off the ground. This means you can crawl over rocks, logs, and ruts that would have previously high-centered your machine.
- Unstoppable Traction: A bigger tire creates a larger contact patch with the ground. In deep mud, soft sand, or loose dirt, this translates to more grip and less digging, keeping you moving forward when others get stuck.
- Intimidating Trail Presence: Let’s be honest, it looks incredible. A Renegade on 32s has a commanding, aggressive stance that tells everyone on the trail you mean business.
- Improved Obstacle Approach: The larger rolling diameter of a 32-inch tire changes its angle of attack. It can roll up and over obstacles more easily instead of getting stopped dead in its tracks by a square-edged rock or log.
Before You Buy: The Non-Negotiable Mods You’ll Need
This is the most critical section of our entire can am renegade 32 inch tires guide. Simply bolting on a set of 32s without supporting mods is a recipe for disaster. Your machine was engineered for stock-sized tires, and this massive jump in size and weight puts immense stress on the entire drivetrain. Here’s how to can am renegade 32 inch tires the right way.
Lift Kits – Getting the Necessary Clearance
First things first: you need space. A 32-inch tire will not fit in the stock wheel wells of a Renegade without significant rubbing, especially when turning or compressing the suspension.
A 2-3 inch lift kit is generally the minimum requirement. This raises the body and suspension, creating the physical room needed to prevent your expensive new tires from grinding against your plastics and frame. You’ll find bracket lifts, which are more budget-friendly, and full suspension lifts that offer better ride quality.
Clutch Kit – Restoring Lost Power and Belt Life
If you take only one piece of advice from this article, let it be this: you must install a clutch kit. This is not optional. The larger, heavier 32-inch tires drastically change the final drive ratio and put a huge strain on your CVT system.
Without a clutch kit, your Renegade will feel sluggish and unresponsive. More importantly, your drive belt will overheat, slip, and eventually shred—likely leaving you stranded. A quality clutch kit (like those from EPI or Dalton) recalibrates your CVT for the bigger tires, restoring lost low-end grunt and saving your belt.
Axles and Drivetrain – Beefing Up for the Extra Stress
Your stock axles were not designed to turn heavy 32-inch mud tires under load. The increased leverage and shock loads from aggressive riding can easily snap a stock CV joint or axle shaft. This is one of the most common problems with can am renegade 32 inch tires when not properly prepared for.
Upgrading to heavy-duty axles, like the popular Rhino 2.0 axles or similar aftermarket options, is a smart investment in reliability. They are built with stronger materials and better designs to handle the abuse.
Forward A-Arms and Fender Mods
Even with a lift, you may experience rubbing at the back of the front fender wells when you turn the handlebars to full lock. The best solution for this is a set of forward offset A-arms.
These arms push the front hubs forward by 1.5 to 2 inches, recentering the wheel in the wheel well and providing crucial clearance. In some extreme cases, minor trimming of the plastic footwell fins with a utility knife may still be needed for a completely rub-free setup.
The Elephant in the Room: Common Problems with Can Am Renegade 32 Inch Tires
At FatBoysOffroad, we believe in honest talk. While 32s are awesome, they introduce new challenges and potential failure points. Being aware of these common problems with can am renegade 32 inch tires allows you to plan ahead and ride smarter.
Accelerated Wear and Tear
The extra weight and leverage of big tires act like a force multiplier on your suspension and steering components. Expect to replace parts more frequently.
Key components to watch are your wheel bearings, ball joints, and A-arm bushings. They will wear out significantly faster than they would with stock tires. Regular inspections are crucial.
Power Loss and Reduced Fuel Economy
Even with a proper clutch kit, you’re still adding a lot of unsprung, rotating mass. This means your engine has to work harder to get things moving and keep them moving. You will notice a slight decrease in snappy acceleration and your fuel range will shrink.
Handling and Center of Gravity
Lifting your machine and adding taller tires raises its center of gravity. This makes it feel more “tippy” on off-camber trails and less stable in high-speed corners. Your steering will also feel a bit heavier and less responsive. It’s a trade-off you make for the added clearance and traction.
The Vicious Cycle of Upgrades
Be aware of the “weakest link” principle. When you upgrade your tires, the stress moves to the axles. When you upgrade the axles, the next weakest point becomes your differential. This isn’t to scare you off, but to prepare you for the reality that building a big, capable machine is an ongoing process.
A Step-by-Step Guide to a Safe Installation
Once you have your tires, wheels, and all the necessary supporting mods, it’s time for installation. Following can am renegade 32 inch tires best practices ensures a safe and successful job. This is an overview; always consult your service manual for specific procedures.
- Prep and Safety First: Park your Renegade on a hard, level surface. Never work on a machine supported only by a jack. Always use a quality set of jack stands rated for the vehicle’s weight.
- Break ‘Em Loose: While the quad is still on the ground, use a breaker bar to break the lug nuts loose on all four wheels. Don’t remove them completely, just get them started.
- Get it Airborne: Jack up the front or rear of the machine and securely place your jack stands under strong frame points. Remove the lug nuts and the old wheel/tire assemblies.
- The Critical Test Fit: Before you do anything else, mount one of the new 32-inch tire/wheel combos. Snug up the lug nuts. Turn the handlebars from lock to lock. Use your jack to cycle the suspension up and down to check for any rubbing on A-arms, brake lines, or plastics.
- Mount and Hand-Tighten: Once you’ve confirmed clearance, mount all four wheels. Thread the lug nuts on by hand to prevent cross-threading, then snug them down in a star pattern with a ratchet.
- Torque to Spec: Lower the machine off the jack stands. Using a calibrated torque wrench, tighten the lug nuts to the manufacturer’s specified torque value (check your owner’s manual!) in a star pattern. This ensures the wheel is seated evenly and prevents warping.
- The Re-Check Ride: After a short, 10-15 minute ride, go back and re-check the torque on every single lug nut. They can sometimes settle after the initial installation.
Long-Term Care: Your Can Am Renegade 32 Inch Tires Care Guide
Your job isn’t done after the installation. A proper can am renegade 32 inch tires care guide is about vigilance and maintenance to protect your investment and ensure your machine stays reliable on the trail.
Tire Pressure is Everything
Proper tire pressure is vital for performance and longevity. Running too high of a pressure will result in a harsh ride and reduced traction. Too low, and you risk debeading the tire from the wheel or causing sidewall damage.
Experiment with pressures between 4-8 PSI depending on your tire construction and the terrain. A lower pressure works well for slow-speed rock crawling, while a slightly higher pressure is better for general trail riding.
Regular Inspections are Non-Negotiable
Before every ride, do a quick walk-around. Look for cuts, punctures, or bubbles in the sidewalls. After every ride, give your machine a more thorough check. Grab each tire at the top and bottom and try to wiggle it—any play could indicate a worn wheel bearing or ball joint that needs immediate attention.
Sustainable Practices for the Responsible Rider
Thinking about sustainable can am renegade 32 inch tires practices isn’t about being preachy; it’s about being smart. An eco-friendly approach often aligns with what’s best for your wallet and your machine.
Maintaining correct tire pressure, for example, not only improves performance but also maximizes fuel efficiency, reducing your environmental footprint. Properly patching a small puncture instead of immediately replacing the whole tire is a great eco-friendly can am renegade 32 inch tires practice that saves resources and money. Choosing high-quality, durable parts from the start means less waste from broken components down the line.
Frequently Asked Questions About Can Am Renegade 32 Inch Tires
Do I absolutely need a clutch kit for 32s on my Renegade?
Yes. We cannot stress this enough. It is the single most important supporting modification. Skipping the clutch kit will lead to poor performance and almost certain belt failure, leaving you stranded on the trail.
What’s the minimum lift I need for 32-inch tires?
A 2-inch lift is the bare minimum, but a 2.5 or 3-inch lift is highly recommended to provide adequate clearance, especially when paired with forward A-arms. This prevents rubbing during aggressive riding and suspension compression.
Will 32-inch tires void my Can-Am warranty?
Almost certainly, yes. Any modification of this scale can give the manufacturer grounds to deny a warranty claim, especially if the failure is related to the drivetrain, suspension, or steering systems. Modify at your own risk.
Can I fit 32s on stock wheels?
It depends on the tire’s width and the stock wheel’s width and offset. However, it’s generally not recommended. Aftermarket wheels with a specific offset (like a 4+3 or 5+2) are designed to push the wheel out slightly, which is often necessary to prevent the wider tire from rubbing on internal suspension components.
Jumping up to can am renegade 32 inch tires is one of the most transformative upgrades you can make. It takes an already capable machine and turns it into an absolute monster that can tackle tougher obstacles and deeper mud holes with confidence.
But remember, it’s a complete system. You can’t just focus on the rubber; you have to address the lift, clutching, and axles to build a reliable rig. Do your homework, invest in quality parts, and install them correctly.
The trail is calling, and with the right setup, your Renegade will be more than ready to answer. Gear up, stay safe, and have a blast out there!
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