Ever stared down a gnarly rock garden or a deceptively deep mud pit and felt that sinking feeling—both in your stomach and your Can-Am’s skid plate? You’re not alone. That cringe-inducing scrape of metal on rock is a sound every off-roader wants to avoid.
In this complete lifted can am side by side guide, we promise to give you the confidence and knowledge to conquer those obstacles. We’re pulling back the curtain on everything you need to know, from the real-world benefits of adding height to tackling the installation safely in your own garage.
Get ready to dive deep. We’ll cover how to choose the right kit for your Maverick, Defender, or Commander, walk through the essential installation steps, and most importantly, discuss the common problems and maintenance needed to keep your rig reliable for years of trail-domination.
Why Lift Your Can-Am? The Real-World Benefits of Added Height
Lifting your UTV is about more than just aggressive looks, though that’s certainly a perk. The primary reasons are purely functional and can completely transform your machine’s capability on the trail.
Understanding the benefits of lifted can am side by side vehicles helps you justify the investment in time and parts. It’s about making your machine work better for the terrain you ride.
Key Advantages of a Lift Kit
- Increased Ground Clearance: This is the big one. A lift gives you more space between your frame and the ground, allowing you to clear rocks, logs, and ruts that would otherwise stop you in your tracks or damage your undercarriage.
- Ability to Run Larger Tires: Lifting your machine creates the necessary fender clearance to fit bigger, more aggressive tires. Larger tires provide a better contact patch for improved traction and offer even more ground clearance.
- Improved Approach and Departure Angles: With more height, you can tackle steeper inclines and declines without your front bumper digging in or your rear end dragging on the way out.
- Enhanced Visibility: A higher seating position gives you a better vantage point on the trail, helping you spot obstacles and choose better lines through technical sections.
Choosing Your Altitude: Types of Lift Kits Explained
Not all lift kits are created equal. The right choice for you depends on your budget, your mechanical skill level, and what you want to achieve. Let’s break down the main categories you’ll encounter.
Bracket Lifts (Small Lifts: 2-3 Inches)
These are the most common and affordable entry point. Bracket lifts use fabricated steel brackets to relocate the top of your shocks, effectively pushing the suspension arms down and lifting the chassis.
They are relatively easy to install with basic hand tools, making them a great weekend project. However, they can stiffen the ride slightly and increase the angle on your CV joints, which can lead to faster wear over time. This is one of the most common ways how to lifted can am side by side vehicles are modified for casual trail use.
Suspension Lifts (Big Lifts: 4-7+ Inches)
A true suspension lift is a more comprehensive and expensive solution. These kits replace key suspension components like A-arms, trailing arms, and radius rods with longer, high-clearance versions. They also include new, heavy-duty axles to handle the extreme angles.
The result is a significant increase in height and wheel travel while often maintaining or even improving the factory ride quality. This is a serious upgrade for deep mud bogging or extreme rock crawling, but the installation is much more involved.
Portal Gear Lifts (The Ultimate Upgrade)
Portal lifts are in a league of their own. These kits add a gearbox directly at the wheel hub, which does two incredible things. First, it lifts the vehicle by 4-8 inches without altering the factory suspension geometry at all. This means your CV axles remain at safe, flat angles.
Second, the gearbox provides an internal gear reduction (typically 15-45%). This multiplies your machine’s torque, making it easier to turn massive tires and crawl over obstacles with incredible control. They are the most expensive option but offer unmatched performance and durability.
How to Lift a Can-Am Side by Side: A Guide for the DIYer
Ready to turn some wrenches? Installing a small bracket lift is a manageable job for a careful DIYer. Remember to always put safety first: work on a level surface, use jack stands, and have a buddy nearby.
Disclaimer: This is a general overview. Always follow the specific instructions provided with your lift kit, as steps can vary between models and manufacturers.
Tools and Preparation
Before you start, gather your tools. You’ll typically need:
- A solid floor jack and a set of heavy-duty jack stands.
- A full socket and wrench set (metric).
- A torque wrench for proper reassembly.
- Pliers and a dead-blow hammer or rubber mallet.
- Your lift kit and its instructions.
Step-by-Step Installation Overview
- Secure the Vehicle: Park on level ground, engage the parking brake, and chock the wheels you aren’t working on first.
- Lift and Support: Use your floor jack to lift one end of the side-by-side and securely place jack stands under the frame. Never work on a vehicle supported only by a jack.
- Remove Wheels and Tires: Take off the wheels to get access to the suspension components.
- Install the Brackets: Following your kit’s instructions, you’ll typically unbolt the top of the shock absorber. You will then install the new lift bracket onto the factory shock mount and re-attach the shock to the new, lower mounting point on the bracket.
- Check for Clearance: With the brackets installed, cycle the suspension up and down by hand to ensure no brake lines or wires are being stretched or pinched.
- Reassemble and Torque: Re-install the wheels. Lower the vehicle back to the ground and use your torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to the factory specification in a star pattern.
- Repeat on the Other End: Follow the same process for the other end of the machine.
- Post-Installation Check: Once complete, double-check that every nut and bolt you touched is tight. Take the vehicle for a slow test ride on a flat surface to listen for any unusual noises.
The Other Side of the Lift: Common Problems with Lifted Can-Am Side by Sides
Lifting your machine changes its geometry and center of gravity. Being aware of potential issues is key to enjoying your rig safely. Ignoring these can lead to expensive failures on the trail.
This is not to scare you off, but to provide a complete picture. Addressing the common problems with lifted can am side by side vehicles head-on is part of responsible ownership.
Increased CV Axle and Ball Joint Wear
The most common issue, especially with bracket lifts, is increased stress on your CV axles. The steeper angle forces the joints to work harder, which can lead to torn boots and premature failure. Pro Tip: After lifting, inspect your CV boots before every ride. A tiny tear can be patched, but a torn boot that lets in dirt and water will quickly destroy the joint.
Changes in Ride Quality and Handling
Lifting your Can-Am raises its center of gravity, making it feel more “tippy” in off-camber situations and high-speed corners. You’ll need to adjust your driving style accordingly. Some bracket lifts can also make the suspension feel stiffer than stock.
The Need for an Alignment
Altering your suspension height will throw your wheel alignment out of spec. This can cause poor handling and rapid tire wear. It’s a great idea to check and adjust your toe-in/toe-out after installing a lift.
Your Lifted Can-Am Side by Side Care Guide: Best Practices for Longevity
Proper maintenance is crucial for any off-road vehicle, but it’s even more important after a lift. This simple lifted can am side by side care guide will help keep you on the trail and out of the shop.
- Re-Torque Everything: After your first 25-50 miles of riding, go back and re-torque all the lift kit hardware and your lug nuts. Things can settle and loosen after the initial installation.
- Frequent Inspections: Make inspecting your lift components part of your pre-ride check. Look for any signs of stress, cracking, or loose bolts on the brackets and A-arms.
- Grease Your Bushings: Your suspension bushings will be working at new angles. Keep them properly greased to prevent squeaking and premature wear.
- Listen to Your Machine: Pay attention to new noises. A pop, click, or grinding sound is your machine telling you something is wrong. Investigate it immediately.
Sustainable Off-Roading: The Eco-Friendly Lifted Can-Am Mindset
Having a more capable machine comes with a greater responsibility to our trails. A sustainable lifted can am side by side isn’t about the parts themselves, but how you use them.
The extra clearance and traction from your lift and bigger tires mean you can navigate obstacles with more finesse and less throttle. This is the core of being an eco-friendly lifted can am side by side owner.
Embrace the “Tread Lightly!” principles. Stay on designated trails, avoid creating new bypasses around obstacles, and use your machine’s capability to cross water or mud pits without excessive spinning that damages the trail bed for everyone else.
Frequently Asked Questions About Your Lifted Can-Am Side by Side
Do I need to change my axles when I install a lift kit?
For small bracket lifts (2-3 inches), you can typically use your factory axles. However, they will wear out faster. For larger suspension lifts (4+ inches), upgraded, longer axles are almost always included and required for the kit to function.
Will lifting my Can-Am void my warranty?
In most cases, yes, it can. Any failure that can be reasonably linked to the aftermarket lift kit (like a broken axle or failed differential) may not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. It’s best to check with your dealer if you have concerns.
How big of a tire can I fit with a 3-inch lift?
This depends on the specific Can-Am model, but a 2-3 inch lift on a Maverick X3 or Defender typically allows you to comfortably run 30-inch to 32-inch tires without rubbing. Always check the lift kit manufacturer’s recommendations for maximum tire size.
Is a lifted side by side less safe?
It can be if not driven properly. The higher center of gravity requires more caution in corners and on sidehills. Adding wheel spacers or offset wheels can widen the vehicle’s track width, helping to restore some of the stability lost from the lift.
Lifting your Can-Am is one of the most rewarding upgrades you can make, opening up a whole new world of trails and challenges. By choosing the right kit, taking your time with the installation, and committing to proper maintenance, you’ll have a reliable trail monster for years to come.
Now get out there, use that extra clearance, and conquer some new terrain. Ride smart, stay safe, and we’ll see you on the trails!
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