How To Lift Can Am Outlander: Your Ultimate DIY Clearance Guide

You love your Can-Am Outlander, but you keep scraping the skid plates on rocks or getting bogged down in ruts that other ATVs seem to float over. You’ve seen those lifted rigs with massive tires and an aggressive stance, and you know that’s the next step for your machine.

You’re in the right place. We promise this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to lift can am outlander models. We’re not just throwing instructions at you; we’re giving you the pro tips, safety checks, and real-world advice you need to do the job right.

In this article, we’ll cover the real benefits of a lift, the different types of kits available, the tools you’ll need, a detailed step-by-step installation process, and the crucial post-lift checks that keep your ride safe and reliable on the trail. Let’s get those wrenches turning!

Why Bother Lifting Your Can-Am Outlander? The Key Benefits

Before we get greasy, let’s talk about the “why.” A lift kit is one of the most transformative upgrades you can make. It’s not just about looks; it’s about unlocking serious performance potential. Understanding the benefits of how to lift can am outlander models will help you appreciate the work you’re about to put in.

Gain Serious Ground Clearance

This is the number one reason most riders install a lift. An extra 2-3 inches of clearance means you can crawl over logs, rocks, and other obstacles that would have previously stopped you in your tracks or damaged your undercarriage. It’s the difference between taking the easy line and conquering the hard one.

Fit Bigger, More Aggressive Tires

A lift kit creates the necessary space in your wheel wells to run larger, more capable tires. Bigger tires provide a larger contact patch for better traction, and aggressive tread patterns will pull you through the deepest mud and loosest sand with ease.

Improved Performance in Mud and Rocks

Combine more ground clearance with bigger tires, and you get a machine that’s an absolute beast in tough terrain. The lift keeps your ATV’s belly out of the muck, allowing your new, beefy tires to dig in and find grip where the stock setup would just spin.

That Aggressive, Head-Turning Stance

Let’s be honest—it just looks cool. A lifted Outlander has an imposing presence on the trail that tells everyone you mean business. It’s a functional upgrade that also gives your quad a major aesthetic boost.

Choosing Your Weapon: Types of Can-Am Outlander Lift Kits

Not all lift kits are created equal. The right one for you depends on your budget, your riding style, and how much lift you’re aiming for. Let’s break down the most common options.

Bracket Lifts (The Most Common DIY Option)

This is the most popular type of lift for the average DIYer. These kits include a series of heavy-duty steel brackets that relocate your upper shock mounting points. By changing the shock angle, they effectively lift the chassis of the ATV.

Pros: Very affordable, relatively easy to install with basic hand tools, provides a true 1.5″ to 3″ lift.
Cons: Can make the ride slightly stiffer and puts more angle on your CV joints, which can lead to premature wear if you go too high.

Spring Spacer Lifts (A Simple Boost)

These are simple pucks or spacers made of metal or high-density polyurethane that you install on top of your coil springs. They pre-load the spring, which raises the ride height.

Pros: Extremely easy to install (sometimes without even removing the shock), very inexpensive.
Cons: Can create a much stiffer ride, doesn’t provide as much lift as a bracket kit, and doesn’t address suspension geometry.

Portal Gear Lifts (The Ultimate Upgrade)

For the serious mud bogger or rock crawler, portal lifts are the top dog. These are gearboxes that mount at the wheel hub, lifting the entire axle and drivetrain. This gives you a massive amount of true ground clearance right where it counts.

Pros: Provides a significant gear reduction for turning huge tires, massive ground clearance, and less stress on axles.
Cons: Extremely expensive, complex installation, and adds significant weight to your machine. This is a pro-level mod.

Gearing Up: Tools and Parts You’ll Need for the Job

Having the right tools ready makes any job go smoother. You don’t need a professional shop, but a few key items are non-negotiable. Gather these before you start.

A Solid Jack and Jack Stands: Never, ever work under an ATV supported only by a jack. Safety is paramount. Use at least two heavy-duty jack stands.
Metric Socket and Wrench Set: Your Can-Am is held together with metric hardware. A good set with deep and shallow sockets is essential.
Torque Wrench: This is a must-have. Suspension components need to be tightened to specific factory specs to be safe. Do not guess.
Breaker Bar: For those stubborn, factory-tightened bolts.
Rubber Mallet: For “persuading” parts into place without damaging them.
Pliers and a Pry Bar: Always useful for cotter pins and creating a little leverage.
Your Lift Kit: Double-check that you have all the brackets, nuts, and bolts that came with the kit before you start tearing your machine apart.

The Main Event: How to Lift Can Am Outlander Step-by-Step

Alright, it’s time to get to work. This how to lift can am outlander guide will focus on installing a typical bracket lift, as it’s the most common DIY project. Always read and follow the specific instructions that came with your kit, as designs can vary slightly.

H3: Safety First: Pre-Installation Prep

Park your Outlander on a level, solid surface like a concrete garage floor. Do not work on soft ground.
Engage the parking brake and chock the wheels you aren’t working on to prevent any rolling.
Loosen the lug nuts on all four wheels slightly before you lift the ATV. It’s much harder to do when they’re in the air.

H3: Front End Installation

Using your floor jack, lift the front end of the Outlander and securely place your jack stands under the frame. Ensure the ATV is stable before proceeding.
Remove the front wheels and set them aside.
Identify the upper shock mount bolt. You’ll likely need a wrench on one side and a socket on the other to remove it. Support the A-arm or knuckle with a block of wood so it doesn’t drop suddenly when the shock is disconnected.
With the top of the shock free, install the front lift bracket provided in your kit onto the stock shock tower. Use the supplied hardware and tighten it down. Some kits may require you to drill a hole; follow your instructions carefully.
Attach the top of the shock to its new, higher mounting point on the lift bracket. You may need to use a pry bar to gently align the holes. Install the bolt but don’t fully torque it yet.
Repeat the process for the other side of the front end.

H3: Rear End Installation

Move your jack and jack stands to the rear of the ATV and lift it, ensuring it is stable and secure.
Remove the rear wheels.
The rear installation is very similar to the front. Locate and remove the upper shock mount bolts, one side at a time.
Install the rear lift brackets onto the frame’s shock mounts using the provided hardware.
Reconnect the shocks to the new mounting points on the lift brackets. Again, don’t fully torque the hardware just yet.
Once both sides are complete, you can reinstall all four wheels. Snug up the lug nuts, but wait to do the final torque until the ATV is on the ground.
Carefully lower the Outlander off the jack stands. With the full weight of the machine on the suspension, go back and torque all shock mount bolts and lug nuts to the manufacturer’s specified values using your torque wrench. This is one of the most important how to lift can am outlander best practices.

Post-Lift Checks and Common Problems to Watch For

You’re not done yet! The work you do after the installation is just as important. This is the core of any good how to lift can am outlander care guide and helps you avoid common problems with how to lift can am outlander modifications.

The All-Important Test Ride

Take your ATV for a slow, careful ride around your yard or a flat, safe area. Listen for any unusual clunks, pops, or grinding noises. Check the steering and make sure everything feels solid.

Checking Your Angles: CV and Axle Bind

A lift kit increases the operating angle of your CV joints. With the ATV on the ground, turn the handlebars from full lock to full lock. Look at the CV boots on your axles. They shouldn’t be rubbing or creased in a way that suggests the joint is at an extreme, binding angle. If they are, your lift may be too aggressive for stock axles, and you might need to consider heavy-duty, extended axles.

Alignment and Tire Wear

Lifting your Outlander will change its alignment, specifically the camber (the inward/outward tilt of the wheels). This can cause uneven tire wear. Check your tie rods and consider getting a basic alignment to ensure your new, bigger tires last as long as possible.

Re-Torquing After the First Ride

After your first real trail ride (10-20 miles), bring your machine back to the garage and re-check the torque on every single nut and bolt you touched: shock mounts, bracket bolts, and especially your lug nuts. Things can settle after the first use, and this final check is crucial for long-term safety.

Thinking Green? Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Lift Kit Practices

Being an off-roader means respecting the trails and the environment. You can apply that mindset to your DIY projects, too. When thinking about a sustainable how to lift can am outlander project, consider a few things.

First, invest in a high-quality kit from a reputable brand. Cheaper, poorly made kits can fail, leading to more waste and replacement parts. A well-built kit is an eco-friendly how to lift can am outlander choice because it lasts longer.

When you’re done, dispose of old parts and packaging responsibly. If your old stock parts are still in good shape, offer them for free on a local forum. Someone might need them for a repair, keeping them out of a landfill.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Lift a Can-Am Outlander

How much lift is too much for a Can-Am Outlander?

For most trail riders using stock axles, a 2-3 inch bracket lift is the sweet spot. Going higher than that dramatically increases the angle on your CV joints, leading to a much higher risk of axle failure on the trail. If you want to go higher, you need to budget for upgraded axles as well.

Do I need new axles when I install a lift kit?

For a modest 2-3 inch lift, you can typically use the factory axles. However, a lift kit will put more stress on them. It’s a good idea to inspect them for any tears in the boots or signs of wear before you start. If you’re an aggressive rider or plan on a bigger lift, upgrading to heavy-duty axles is a wise investment.

Will a lift kit make my Outlander more prone to tipping over?

Yes, any time you raise a vehicle’s center of gravity, you increase its tendency to roll. This is why many riders also install wheel spacers or offset wheels when they add a lift. Widening the stance of the ATV helps counteract the higher center of gravity, restoring stability.

Can I install a lift kit myself with basic tools?

Absolutely. A standard bracket lift is a great weekend project for a DIY mechanic. As long as you have a solid, level place to work, the right safety equipment (especially jack stands), and a good torque wrench, you can tackle this job with confidence.

Lifting your Can-Am Outlander is a rewarding project that completely changes the look and capability of your machine. Take your time, double-check your work, and always prioritize safety. Now get out there and conquer those trails!

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Thomas Corle

Founder & Automobile expert at FatBoysOffroad

Automobile expert and off-road enthusiast, sharing in-depth knowledge of vehicles, gear, and adventures. Helping readers make smart decisions and enjoy the thrill of off-roading safely and confidently.