Throttle’s Ranger Crew xp1000 Northstar Ultimate buildup,

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Keep it simple and functional, I said. Done with the dunes and don’t need to mob the desert. Need to find a cruiser to use at the lake and explore some new destinations. After selling a previous Polaris RZR xp4-1k built by TMW off-road I missed getting out in the desert. The thought of another unit stayed with me for a few years before I started watching inventory about a year ago. I began comparing what my pros and cons were going to be between a Polaris General 4 door or a Polaris Ranger Crew. With a heavy payload and a 2500 lb towing capacity the Polaris Ranger Crew seemed to be the most practical and functional for our intended uses.

As we all learned during the pandemic, inventory was no longer in dealer’s vocabulary. The search went on for several months. When a unit that I was looking for would pop up someplace, the dealers had a markup on them and would not budge to offer a deal. At this s point I figured I would just ride this out.

Rewind, the thought process changes. It’s June 2021 (still in pandemic mess) I’m done looking and trying to make a deal happen. So maybe the best thing to do at this point so we have a unit in time for “riding season” is to do the “pre-order” at our local dealer. I make a call, set an appointment, plan to be at the dealer to give deposit and to place an order. My wife is all in and excited this is finally going to get real (tired of all my hype prolly). But anyway, she comes with me to the dealership and falls in love with a Ranger Crew Northstar on the showroom floor. Duh, fully enclosed with a heater and air conditioning, she is all in of course.

No sweetheart, that’s not what we are ordering. I had planned on ordering something else but I still would need to add a roof, windshield and doors. We started running the numbers and decided to jump in. Before I knew it, we had ordered a fully loaded Polaris Ranger Crew XP1000 “Northstar Ultimate” Just like that! At the time our order was made in June an estimated delivery date was August.

I now had lots of time to get parts. I tried having everything bought before the unit arrived. August came and we were being led to think possibly delivering now in December or even January. A bit of a set back but it is what it is. Just be patient.

I started getting emails from Polaris that allowed me to create an account and follow the build process. The Titanium color I had selected was new for 2022, this gave us the first glimpse of how it might look. Without seeing any other ‘22 models yet, I was a bit nervous about how the accent colors were going to look.

Here it is showing a ship date after build being completed.

And then this picture gets texted to me from the dealership surprising me that it has arrived a few days before expected.

Time to get busy! Just in time for Christmas

 

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Lots of work ahead, HCR suspension, 15” Method beadlock wheels wrapped with the 32” BFG KM3. Rigid Industries lights, rock lights, light bars, side lighting, D2’s for A posts, SafeGlow whips, Rhino rooF and bed racks, tinted windows and more.

This is gonna be fun!

 

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HCR suspension, lift kit and forward A arms.

 

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15” Method Beadlock

32” BFG KM3

The suspension kit was powder coated clear to keep titanium color. I thought it would look kinda cool seeing the welds too.

 

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First glimpse of Rhino roof rack, Rigid industry side lights and 40” light bar, rigid chase bar, D2’s on A posts, rock lights, bumper light bar. Also first look with the HCR suspension, tires and wheels on.

 

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It pays off to have a plan,

The SwitchPro 12 is pretty cool. Lots of features thru an app on phone. Eliminates the need to run ground wire for every rocker switch, takes up less space and all in one place fuse.

 

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Before and after window tint

 

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Another look at the Switch-Pro. Lots of room under the hood to mount and secure it. The dash is a bit challenging to find a spot for the face plate. I used a bracket made by StayFlush. Pretty simple to modify slightly and mount next to the Ride Command display on dash.

 

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I should toss this one in, happy wife is happy life.

 

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It’s ready for the beach, load the chairs, a cooler and maybe even some paddle boards.

Previously mentioned, new destinations…

 

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Rugged Radio and intercom install has taken a backseat for a bit. Need to get with someone who can do something custom.

A bit of a challenge with the Ranger is that after market parts are not as readily available as the rzr and can am. The dash doesn’t really have any space for radio and intercom to be mounted. I want to have a center console built up to put them in.

This is a product from StayFlush. He makes some nice stuff. But nothing for the Ranger. Another challenge with the Ranger Northstar is that we need the console to be removable so that the ac unit can be accessed on bottom of dash.

 

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When the sun goes down…

 

[Heylam]

So good, and such a good post documenting the build out. Thanks.

 

[lenmann]

Nice build! It's a little funny how I am seeing more these kind of cars out on the trail these days. After a 40 mph rollover last year in my RZR, I am starting to better appreciate the comfort aspects and maybe a little slower pace.

We done sir!

 

[Havaduner]

Throttle, have you towed your ski's with it yet? What did you think? I've seen a few launching small boats, and even a pontoon!

 

[Done-it-again]

Nice, been thinking about 1 of these.

How much better is the ride with the HCR kit? It doesn't look like it increase the tack width much.

 

[DLC]

How well does the heater and AC work?
Does it get dusty inside the cab? Is it sealed up pretty good

is it noisy inside the cab / squeaky - do you have to wear headphones to keep noise down?

Looks awesome! Really cool build! I liked your RZR - super clean and this is just as nice .

 

[throttle]

Throttle, have you towed your ski's with it yet? What did you think? I've seen a few launching small boats, and even a pontoon!

It tows! Someone saw me testing it out. I have not used it to launch yet.

 

[throttle]

Nice, been thinking about 1 of these.

How much better is the ride with the HCR kit? It doesn't look like it increase the tack width much.

I selected the HCR lift for its durability and to make room for bigger tires and wheels, the kit also adds 2 1/2 inches forward to keep tire from rubbing on wheel fender or rocker panel. The long travel kit is the way to go for sure, however I wasn’t trying to make it any wider. The ride is pretty comfortable.

 

[Riverryder]

It tows! Someone saw me testing it out. I have not used it to launch yet.

View attachment 1101848

That is cool!!

 

[throttle]

How well does the heater and AC work?
Does it get dusty inside the cab? Is it sealed up pretty good

is it noisy inside the cab / squeaky - do you have to wear headphones to keep noise down?

Looks awesome! Really cool build! I liked your RZR - super clean and this is just as nice .

Polaris made changes with the HVAC system for the 2022 model we got. Mostly small changes behind the dash and a larger compressor for better cooling and flow. I don’t have anything to compare it to but I can say it has been great so far. Last week we saw temps in havasu hit the upper 90’s and it kept up pretty good. It could maybe use some more attention in the back seat.

Another change that Polaris made was to seal the doors better. Again, I don’t have anything to compare it to and we have not been in any crazy dusty environments with it yet but it doesn’t seem to be very dusty at all compared to the the rest of unit after a ride.

The cab noise is reduced with the doors, but it’s still noisy for my sensitive ears. I don’t think we expected it to be as quiet as the Mercury 400. Having what I call extreme hearing loss, the plan is to continue to use headsets. I need to protect what little hearing I have left and hope to provide a safe environment for anyone riding with us.

Hopefully I can find time to meet with a couple people soon and have some custom work done for the rugged radio/intercom in a removable center console box and plug in headsets. Also, been talking with Rockford Fosgate to put together a system that connects thru the ride command and Bluetooth. They have me in a holding pattern as they say, “something is coming”

Only a few missing things to be done before I will say this build up is complete. But if all goes well, you could see this unit on display someplace soon.

 

[Joe mama]

Is this long travel? I saw a green one at Rusty’s and that thing was high off the ground. I assume it was long travel kit. That’s definitely the ticket for a comfy ride in all temps and conditions.

 

[throttle]

Is this long travel? I saw a green one at Rusty’s and that thing was high off the ground. I assume it was long travel kit. That’s definitely the ticket for a comfy ride in all temps and conditions.

To gain a lot of lift, some use “portal gear lifts”. A 6 inch portal could allow a tire up to 38”. Mine is a 2” suspension lift kit with 2 1/2” forward A arms. It replaced stock components for strength and durability.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Nice work man. This came out super cool.

 

[dspracing]

Beautiful ride but she is begging for portals! And where is the paddle board rack?

 

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Thank you, Soft rack pads and straps on platform.

 

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Running a little bit behind schedule. Finally able to coordinate for a full wrap next week.

Adding next to the build up... Been waiting for this, Rockford Fosgate just released a Stage 6 Audio System for the Northstar Crew and it syncs with the Ride Command. 1500W 5 channel amp, 10' subwoofer, speaker pods and 4 Color Optic speakers.

 

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Transforming this week…

 

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All wrapped up. Next, Rockford Fosgate stage 6, stay tooned…

 

[CoolCruzin]

A great change from the stock look

 

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Really happy with the time and work that ProLineWraps.com did for us. The wrap really pops in the sun.

link to other thread in lounge

Just wrapping things up… RangerCrew xp1000 Northstar Ultimate

This buildup has been fun. Took it to ProLineWraps for some work this week. They did a great job on it. Pretty happy with it and I think you guys might enjoy seeing it.

www.riverdavesplace.com

 

[That Guy]

Cam - my buddy Richard is the go to guy for custom Rugged set ups. Let me know if you want to connect with him......BTW - looks awesome!

 

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Cam - my buddy Richard is the go to guy for custom Rugged set ups. Let me know if you want to connect with him......BTW - looks awesome!

thx, tell him to hurry up with a mounting bracket for these things. I have seen some other build ups, but not really too excited about them. So gonna have to do some one off custom shit here for this I think.

 

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Started some new dialog with Wired 4 Sound today. Hopefully develop a plan to have the Rockford Fosgate stage 6 for ride command put in soon. This will replace two speakers already in dash, add two more in headliner in back seat area, a sub woofer under back seat and a 1500w amplifier.

 

[That Guy]

thx, tell him to hurry up with a mounting bracket for these things. I have seen some other build ups, but not really too excited about them. So gonna have to do some one off custom shit here for this I think.

Might still be worth a discussion with him...his company does a lot of the rugged set ups for the race teams. Either way...good luck!

 

[throttle]

Might still be worth a discussion with him...his company does a lot of the rugged set ups for the race teams. Either way...good luck!

I’m absolutely open to reaching out to him to see what he thinks is possible. I just don’t want to waste his time. Drop me a txt, or a PM.

 

[X-rated]

Absolutely no disrespect meant here, I have never even been in one, but….Why? I understand it looks cool and I’m sure you had a riot doing the build but why not a Bronco or a Wrangler or even a bitchin pickup? What am I missing?

 

[Riverryder]

Absolutely no disrespect meant here, I have never even been in one, but….Why? I understand it looks cool and I’m sure you had a riot doing the build but why not a Bronco or a Wrangler or even a bitchin pickup? What am I missing?

let me help you with this.
because we need to have the best and baddest golf cart on RDP!!

all kidding aside. my route would be what you said. but these golfcarts can get in trails broncos/ wranglers cant go. every tools has its use.
he can now go on the group rides with all his golfcart buddies but he and his passengers dont get blast with dust and have ac!


to the OP i think this thing is badass either way!

 

[DLC]

Absolutely no disrespect meant here, I have never even been in one, but….Why? I understand it looks cool and I’m sure you had a riot doing the build but why not a Bronco or a Wrangler or even a bitchin pickup? What am I missing?

I have 2 jeeps and they do great in havasu but the pace is really really SLOW! And everything rattles / shakes / vibrates.

My can am can zip over just about anything at 4 times the speed of the jeep and it doesn’t beat ya up.

driving a sxs is a totally different “ feel “ than driving a car, truck or jeep, They are over half the weight, have a lot more suspension / wheel travel and way more nimble to just zip down a dirt road or up a rocky hill.

this past Sunday we drove from Prescott to Havasu about 180 miles all off road stopped off in Bagdad for about an hour for fuel and lunch and hit the road at 8 ish & got back home at 5:40

then at 7pm I drove back home to Ca. 5 hrs.

 

[X-rated]

Asked and answered!! Thanks guys, as I said, no disrespect meant. Thanks for enlightening me, and I agree IT’S BADASS!!

 

[throttle]

Absolutely no disrespect meant here, I have never even been in one, but….Why? I understand it looks cool and I’m sure you had a riot doing the build but why not a Bronco or a Wrangler or even a bitchin pickup? What am I missing?

No offense taken, but don't knock it till you tried it. I have what I think to be a pretty "bitchin truck" already and its not that I can't take it places that I will take the Ranger Crew, I just won't.

You are not really missing anything... to each their own, I'm not looking for an extensive project as these guys with jeeps and broncos. A bit of past history, golf cart, dirt bikes, rhino, teryx, rzr, jeep and 4wd trucks. The Ranger Crew unit might be considered a cross over or suv of all my past toys. Its 30mph faster than the golf cart was, can carry a few passengers better than the dirt bikes, the rhino was a pos, the teryx drove like a tractor, the RZR xp41k was the best overall that I had owned for dunes and desert (all I had to do was change tires) but not as functional as it could be for our needs anymore. The jeep is even slower in the desert, wide, heavy, takes up a lot of space in garage, insurance, registration and maintenance on jeep also way more expensive. Lets not forget to add, that this Ranger Crew easily fits on/in a trailer and can be towed better with my truck for excursions. My truck is commuter, its driven in dirt and sand regularly but I depend on it on the highway from Havasu to OC.

I selected the Polaris Ranger Crew based purely on what I felt is functional for us at the river, lake and some exploring excursions of new destinations that we have been visiting. Simplicity, functional, with a lot of creature comforts that other sxs's don't offer. Grab the dog, fill the gas tank, fill the cooler and lets go!

The Polaris General would have been a good choice too, however I liked the bed size and capacities on the ranger better. Also, once we decided to go with the fully enclosed Northstar model with AC it dropped the General off our list.

Some of things that brings us all together here at the same place is for what RD says he likes... cool, custom stuff. Watch for another thread as we finalize the last few items on our to do list.

 

[Riverryder]

It tows! Someone saw me testing it out. I have not used it to launch yet.

View attachment 1101848

@X-rated this picture should explain everything you need to know! the bronco wouldnt look as cool towing the skis to the ramp would it????!

 

[throttle]

@X-rated this picture should explain everything you need to know! the bronco wouldnt look as cool towing the skis to the ramp would it????!

The bronco would be a better choice for this. I will probably continue to use my truck.

 

[Riverryder]

The bronco would be a better choice for this. I will probably continue to use my truck.

haha i kbow but the bronco wouldnt look as cool is what i meant...

 

[throttle]

haha i kbow but the bronco wouldnt look as cool is what i meant...

depends on who's bronco

 

[throttle]

Rumor is, we reached another goal this week with a few things. One of them being finished up at Wired 4 Sound. I can’t wait to hear this thing thump a little.

Have a couple more little things in the works still and it’s time to play.

 

[Done-it-again]

Looks great, want one just like it.

 

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Pro Line Wraps called it “the icing on the cake”. I had a new cooler that will be dedicated to the vehicle shipped directly to them and I just got it back today. This will fit perfectly in the back under to rack where the spare tire sits.

You can’t have a party without cold refreshments.

Bottom’s Up!

 

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It’s the little things that make it fun sometimes. A couple months ago we got in touch with SafeGloWhips and had some custom 12” RGB Bluetooth whips made. Finally just got around to finishing the install on them (they can be seen in recent photo, post 46).
Being pretty stoked on them, I reconnected with SafeGloWhips again last week and they customized two 3 footers for me. The extra height will help provide better visibility during day and nite rides. The reason I asked for the 3 foot versions is so I don’t have to take them on and off coming in and out of garage. As everything is finishing up, the RangerCrew is 7 feet tall, the garage door is 10 feet. We can still use the 12” ones around town (just not red or blue).
These whips being Bluetooth have an app like everything else, we will be able to control, change and even flash with the beat of the new Rockford Fosgate system that was just installed.
Looking forward to running these over the next weekend!

 

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Wired 4 Sound handled it! Well played!