Your Can-Am Renegade is an absolute beast straight from the factory. We get it. You feel that raw V-Twin power every time you thumb the throttle. But if you’re like us at FatBoysOffroad, you know that “stock” is just a starting point.
You agree there’s a whole other level of performance, durability, and capability locked away inside your machine, just waiting to be unleashed. The desire to make it stronger, faster, and uniquely yours is what drives every true rider.
We promise this comprehensive guide will give you the expert knowledge to make smart choices. We’ll walk you through the most impactful can am renegade upgrades, from essential protection to game-changing performance mods. You’ll learn what to do, why you’re doing it, and how to do it right.
Why Bother? The Real Benefits of Can Am Renegade Upgrades
Before you start turning wrenches and swiping the credit card, let’s talk about the “why.” Investing in the right parts isn’t just about bragging rights; it’s about transforming your riding experience. Understanding the benefits of can am renegade upgrades helps you prioritize your build.
Here’s what you stand to gain:
- Unhinged Performance: Unlock more horsepower and torque with engine and exhaust mods. A proper clutch setup ensures all that new power actually hits the dirt, giving you explosive acceleration.
- Bulletproof Durability: The trail fights back. Upgraded bumpers, skid plates, and A-arm guards protect vital components from rocks, stumps, and your own “oh crap” moments, preventing a costly tow back to the truck.
- Unstoppable Capability: The right tires, wheels, and suspension upgrades allow you to conquer terrain you used to avoid. Think deeper mud holes, steeper rock climbs, and faster, more controlled runs through the woods.
- Enhanced Rider Comfort & Control: Mods like better lighting, ergonomic handlebars, and a quality winch don’t just add convenience; they add safety and confidence, allowing you to ride longer and push harder.
The Foundation: Protection & Durability Upgrades First
We’ve seen it a hundred times: a rider drops thousands on power mods only to have a single rock end their day by punching a hole in the engine case. Don’t be that person. A smart build starts from the ground up with armor.
Skid Plates & A-Arm Guards
The thin plastic protection that comes stock is barely more than a splash guard. Your engine, differential, and A-arms are completely exposed to trail hazards.
Investing in a full belly skid plate made from UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight) plastic is one of the best first mods. It’s incredibly tough, slides over obstacles easily, and absorbs impacts that would shatter aluminum. Pair it with matching A-arm guards to protect your suspension.
Beefier Bumpers & Rock Sliders
A heavy-duty front bumper does more than just look aggressive. It protects your radiator, headlights, and plastics from direct impacts. Many aftermarket bumpers, like those from Ricochet or Iron Baltic, also include a winch mounting plate and extra tabs for mounting light pods.
Rock sliders (or nerf bars) run along the side of your machine, protecting your plastic fenders and frame from being smashed against trees and rocks in tight sections. This is a must-have for woods riders.
Radiator Relocation Kits
If you even think about riding in mud, a radiator relocation kit is not optional—it’s essential. The stock radiator location is a magnet for mud, which clogs the cooling fins and leads to rapid overheating.
These kits move the radiator up onto the front rack, keeping it high and dry in clean air. This single upgrade can save your engine from catastrophic failure on a hot, muddy day.
Unleashing the Beast: Performance-Focused Can Am Renegade Upgrades
Once your Renegade is properly armored, it’s time for the fun stuff. This is how to can am renegade upgrades for serious power. Remember to add mods in a logical order; for example, an exhaust and tune should go hand-in-hand.
Exhaust Systems – More Than Just Noise
An aftermarket exhaust, whether a slip-on or a full system, helps the big V-Twin engine breathe better. This reduces heat, sheds significant weight compared to the bulky stock muffler, and yes, gives your machine that deep, aggressive tone.
Brands like HMF, RJWC, and Yoshimura offer proven options. A full system will yield the most power, but a slip-on is a great budget-friendly start.
ECU Tuning – The Brain Surgery
An ECU (Engine Control Unit) tune is like remapping your Renegade’s brain for performance. A quality tune from a reputable company like EVP (Evolution Powersports) or WKP (Wicked Powersports) adjusts fuel and ignition timing, raises rev limiters, and optimizes the engine for your new exhaust and intake.
This is arguably the best bang-for-your-buck power upgrade you can make. It wakes the machine up across the entire RPM range.
Clutch Kits – Putting Power to the Ground
Pro Tip: All the horsepower in the world is useless if you can’t transfer it to the tires. This is where clutching comes in, and it’s one of the most common problems with can am renegade upgrades when overlooked.
When you add bigger tires or increase horsepower, the stock clutch calibration is no longer efficient. A clutch kit, which includes different springs and weights, allows you to recalibrate your CVT system. This results in snappier acceleration, better back-shifting, and drastically improved belt life.
Conquering the Terrain: Suspension, Wheels, and Tires
Power is one thing, but control is everything. Upgrading your Renegade’s connection to the ground will give you more confidence and capability than any engine mod.
Choosing the Right Tires
Tires are the single most important upgrade for off-road performance. The stock tires are a compromise. Your first step is to choose a tire that matches your primary terrain.
- All-Terrain: Great for riders who do a bit of everything. Look at the Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 or ITP TerraCross R/T.
- Mud: For those who live in the pits. Aggressive, deep-lugged tires like the System 3 XTR370 or SuperATV Assassinator are king.
- Rock/Trail: Tough, 8-ply or 10-ply tires with strong sidewalls are key. The BFG KM3 or Pro Armor Crawler XG are excellent choices.
Upgrading Your Wheels
Aftermarket wheels offer more than just looks. They can be lighter and stronger than stock. The biggest advantage comes from choosing a beadlock wheel.
Beadlocks use a metal ring to physically clamp the tire’s bead to the rim. This allows you to run very low air pressure (3-5 PSI) for insane traction in rocks and mud without worrying about the tire popping off the wheel.
Shocks & Suspension Lifts
While the stock Fox shocks on X XC and X MR models are good, they can be overwhelmed by aggressive riding. Upgrading to aftermarket shocks from brands like Elka or Shock Therapy provides a massive improvement in ride quality and control.
Lift kits (typically 2-3 inches) provide extra ground clearance for clearing obstacles. Be cautious, however, as significant lifts increase the angle on your CV axles, leading to premature wear. This is a perfect example of where a simple upgrade can cause common problems with can am renegade upgrades if not done thoughtfully.
Can Am Renegade Upgrades Best Practices & Care Guide
Installing parts is only half the battle. A true enthusiast knows that proper installation and maintenance are what make a build reliable. Following this can am renegade upgrades guide will keep you on the trail and out of the shop.
Always use a torque wrench to tighten bolts to factory specifications, especially on wheels and suspension components. Apply blue Loctite to critical bolts that are prone to vibrating loose.
After every ride, give your machine a thorough wash and inspection. Check for loose bolts, torn CV boots, or any signs of leaks. A clean quad is a happy quad, and it makes problems easy to spot.
When it comes to sustainable can am renegade upgrades, think long-term. Choosing a high-quality, durable part from a reputable brand is the most eco-friendly can am renegade upgrades approach. A part that lasts a lifetime creates far less waste than a cheap knock-off you have to replace every season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Can Am Renegade Upgrades
What’s the first upgrade I should do on my Can-Am Renegade?
This depends on your riding style, but we almost always recommend protection first. A full skid plate is a fantastic initial investment. If you’re happy with the protection, tires will provide the most noticeable performance change for any terrain.
Do I need a clutch kit if I get bigger tires?
Absolutely, yes. We can’t stress this enough. Larger, heavier tires put immense strain on your stock clutch and belt. A clutch kit recalibrates the engagement to handle the extra load, restoring lost performance and preventing you from smoking belts on the trail.
Will an exhaust and tune void my warranty?
In most cases, yes, modifying the engine, exhaust, or ECU can give the manufacturer grounds to deny a warranty claim on powertrain components. It’s best to check directly with your dealer. Be prepared to accept this risk if you want to chase maximum performance.
How difficult is it to install these upgrades myself?
The difficulty varies. Bumpers, skid plates, and wheels/tires are generally straightforward DIY jobs with basic hand tools. Exhausts and clutch kits require a bit more mechanical skill. If you’re uncomfortable with tasks like ECU flashing or internal suspension work, it’s always best to consult a professional mechanic.
Building your Can-Am Renegade is a journey, not a destination. Each part you add personalizes your machine and dials it in for the way you ride. Start with a solid foundation of protection, add power and capability thoughtfully, and never stop tweaking.
Now get out there, wrench responsibly, and show everyone what that Renegade can really do. Stay safe on the trails from your crew at FatBoysOffroad!
- 2014 Honda Accord Serpentine Belt Diagram – Your Ultimate DIY - December 18, 2025
- 2008 Honda Accord Serpentine Belt – Your Ultimate DIY Replacement And - December 18, 2025
- 2010 Honda Accord Horsepower – Unlocking Its Potential & Boosting - December 18, 2025