Throttle’s Ranger Crew xp1000 Northstar Ultimate buildup,

[One2go]

Just saw this build thread. Very cool !! Looks bad ass. I've been thinking about one myself .

 

[DLC]

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!

View attachment 1124883

SAFEGLO is the BOMB!!

Fantastic Product and Even better people running the show!!

the little stubbie whips don’t get caught up in the tree branches! I’ve got 2- 3 footers and 2-12 inchers from SAFEGLO, although they aren’t blue tooth!

I might need an upgrade!

@throttle
Your cars looking great!

 

[throttle]

Great news comes today, my anxiety level has dropped tremendously!

About a month ago, I scheduled some time on the calendar for this week with the crew at Wired 4 Sound to install the Rugged radio and intercom and by no surprise it looks like they have successfully finished.

Those of you with Ranger Crews know the struggle, there is just no place to mount this type of equipment, nor are there any mounting options available. I can say, it took a lot of time and effort to get to a point that I felt good. I talked to a few different fabricators and installers and I still left those conversations with questions.

Rugged Radio’s did a Ranger Crew build that aired on Destination Polaris that gave me hope. It showed a “one off” plate that deleted the dash glovebox to make room for the radio and intercom in the dash on the passenger side. I was so caught up in “how rad it is to have the storage” with a second glovebox that I and others kinda frowned upon doing what was about to come next. I was able to get a hold of Rugged Radio’s staff and spoke to them about the build they had done. I explained what I was trying to achieve and they happily guided me directly with the member of their staff that worked on the “one off” design work that stood out to me. Things in motion finally again at that point.

As previously mentioned earlier in this thread, I was going to have a console made over the tunnel (center console) for the system but it would need to be removable so I could gain access to the HVAC and filter. This option was just not going to work.

Fast forward, I was able to obtain a part from Rugged that assisted us in gathering our thoughts for the new plan. Again, this is where Wired 4 Sound comes thru again this week. We decided to cut the upper glovebox area out to open the space up. Using some mounting hardware from Rugged, the rest was on the crew at W4S to do what they do best, make it happen! And here is what it looks like upon completion.

Also, seen here are flush jack mounts for headsets and PTT buttons.

I am really happy this worked out. A huge shout out and thank you to the guys at Wired 4 Sound! This kinda stuff makes Adam smile!

 

[throttle]

Had its first service and had the XTC turn signal kit installed.

Time to play!

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Great news comes today, my anxiety level has dropped tremendously!

About a month ago, I scheduled some time on the calendar for this week with the crew at Wired 4 Sound to install the Rugged radio and intercom and by no surprise it looks like they have successfully finished.

Those of you with Ranger Crews know the struggle, there is just no place to mount this type of equipment, nor are there any mounting options available. I can say, it took a lot of time and effort to get to a point that I felt good. I talked to a few different fabricators and installers and I still left those conversations with questions.

Rugged Radio’s did a Ranger Crew build that aired on Destination Polaris that gave me hope. It showed a “one off” plate that deleted the dash glovebox to make room for the radio and intercom in the dash on the passenger side. I was so caught up in “how rad it is to have the storage” with a second glovebox that I and others kinda frowned upon doing what was about to come next. I was able to get a hold of Rugged Radio’s staff and spoke to them about the build they had done. I explained what I was trying to achieve and they happily guided me directly with the member of their staff that worked on the “one off” design work that stood out to me. Things in motion finally again at that point.

As previously mentioned earlier in this thread, I was going to have a console made over the tunnel (center console) for the system but it would need to be removable so I could gain access to the HVAC and filter. This option was just not going to work.

Fast forward, I was able to obtain a part from Rugged that assisted us in gathering our thoughts for the new plan. Again, this is where Wired 4 Sound comes thru again this week. We decided to cut the upper glovebox area out to open the space up. Using some mounting hardware from Rugged, the rest was on the crew at W4S to do what they do best, make it happen! And here is what it looks like upon completion.


View attachment 1157301

Also, seen here are flush jack mounts for headsets and PTT buttons.

View attachment 1157302


View attachment 1157303


I am really happy this worked out. A huge shout out and thank you to the guys at Wired 4 Sound! This kinda stuff makes Adam smile!

So I was looking at doing something similar to my neighbors Ranger. His has a glovebox there, so did you get a different lid for this mount? His has in indent for a handle that yours does not look like it had in the lid.

 

[ultra26shadow]

So I was looking at doing something similar to my neighbors Ranger. His has a glovebox there, so did you get a different lid for this mount? His has in indent for a handle that yours does not look like it had in the lid.

View attachment 1159253

Wait a minute…. I thought you knew it all?

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Wait a minute…. I thought you knew it all?

Stop listening to idiots

 

[throttle]

So I was looking at doing something similar to my neighbors Ranger. His has a glovebox there, so did you get a different lid for this mount? His has in indent for a handle that yours does not look like it had in the lid.

View attachment 1159253

Yup, that’s what mine used to look like.

Removed the glovebox lid. Cut out the glovebox tray. I obtained a one off piece from Rugged that they made for a custom build.. We were not able to use it but it helped us plan out another way to make it fit.

Wired 4 Sound fabricated a new piece that went in place of glovebox lid. Lined it with similar type of material to match the rest of dash. Then used universal mount for a streamline install.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Yup, that’s what mine used to look like.

Removed the glovebox lid. Cut out the glovebox tray. I obtained a one off piece from Rugged that they made for a custom build.. We were not able to use it but it helped us plan out another way to make it fit.

Wired 4 Sound fabricated a new piece that went in place of glovebox lid. Lined it with similar type of material to match the rest of dash. Then used universal mount for a streamline install.


View attachment 1159286

View attachment 1159287

Thanks Cam. That is super cool.

My thought was to cut off that handle and put a plate over the entire front of the glove box to cover the hole and strengthen the cover. And make it look decent. That gives us a similar flat surface to mount the radio and intercom to like you did.

 

[throttle]

Thanks Cam. That is super cool.

My thought was to cut off that handle and put a plate over the entire front of the glove box to cover the hole and strengthen the cover. And make it look decent. That gives us a similar flat surface to mount the radio and intercom to like you did.

If you are putting a radio and an intercom in that space, I am pretty sure you will need to cut the glovebox tray out to make room for both units.

Take close look at the other pic I put up with the face plate, its a one piece universal bracket and had the mounting hardware to securely hold it in place (we hope). I had picked up a few options and luckily the one I liked best fit almost perfectly.

Its doable! I will be honest... I lost sleep over it, I didn't think it was gonna all work out.

 

[DLC]

That radio set is bad ass! Looks factory just like it grew there!

Wired for Sound is top NOTCH !! and the guys have tons of talent

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

If you are putting a radio and an intercom in that space, I am pretty sure you will need to cut the glovebox tray out to make room for both units.

Take close look at the other pic I put up with the face plate, its a one piece universal bracket and had the mounting hardware to securely hold it in place (we hope). I had picked up a few options and luckily the one I liked best fit almost perfectly.

Its doable! I will be honest... I lost sleep over it, I didn't think it was gonna all work out.

Yea we will have to cut out some of that glove box for sure, if nothing else to route cables.

 

[throttle]

Yea we will have to cut out some of that glove box for sure, if nothing else to route cables.

Here are a few things behind the dash and in the tunnel. I had several options of face plates and mounting brackets to choose from once it all got cut. The flush mounts are cool and were placed next to cup holders for an easy plug in when desired. Also included below is a “one off” dash plate that was made (not used) for another custom build.

Edit, if you are putting headset cables in similar area that I did, get at least an 8’ cable for front and 12’s for back.

 

[throttle]

That radio set is bad ass! Looks factory just like it grew there!

Wired for Sound is top NOTCH !! and the guys have tons of talent

Thank you. That was exactly what I was trying to achieve.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Here are a few things behind the dash and in the tunnel. I had several options of face plates and mounting brackets to choose from once it all got cut. The flush mounts are cool and were placed next to cup holders for an easy plug in when desired. Also included below is a “one off” dash plate that was made (not used) for another custom build.

Edit, if you are putting headset cables in similar area that I did, get at least an 8’ cable for front and 12’s for back.

View attachment 1159386

View attachment 1159387

View attachment 1159388

View attachment 1159389

View attachment 1159390

View attachment 1159391

View attachment 1159392

Yea I like the flush mounts. I have them in the center console of my RZR. He is undecided on the intercom. He may do the 364 wirh the integrated PTT buttons. If that is the case we will mount the intercom somewhere else and just do the radio in the glove box.

 

[throttle]

As Ranger and Defender owners know, options for after market upgrades are and have been limited at best (if any)!

We are finally getting someplace with the shocks. This is great news for our RangerCrew! We have waited for almost a year for someone to develop a better shock to replace the stock ones. I had found one other option however was not confident about it, so we waited. Very excited that the wait finally might be over.

Our order hopefully ships in the standard “2 weeks”.

 

[throttle]

Shock report! Successful! Fox QS3 and Shock Therapy springs. Worth waiting for!

First 5 mile loop yesterday. Hit some bumps a little faster, swallowed up some washboarded washes and softened the dips!!!

 

[throttle]

I have succumbed. HCR is finishing up another kit for me. Going long travel. (2 weeks).

The recent change to the Fox shocks and Shock Therapy springs has been great and makes me think we can still improve ride quality here along the side of having the strength and durability all together. I will gain about 6 inches in width from current set up (10 inches gain from stock) and will have room for a 35" tire if I ever wanted to go bigger. I expect to reduce some bump steer, camber issues and wheel bearing issues later.

 

[DLC]

How is the sway / body roll?

I saw they have sway bars but didn’t know if they need to be beefed up

what kind of comfortable speeds to you see off road?

build looks great and getting much better!
@throttle

 

[throttle]

How is the sway / body roll?

I saw they have sway bars but didn’t know if they need to be beefed up

what kind of comfortable speeds to you see off road?

build looks great and getting much better!
@throttle

Thank you, I keep saying that I'm done but find myself fine tuning still. I am hoping to get it to ST for one more round of tuning and adjustments.

The shocks and springs have made all the difference in the world. As for sway and roll... I have lost the same sway bar link on left rear twice now. First time at sand hollow before we even got on a challenging trail, I drove it the rest of that week without the sway bar link, couldn't even tell the difference. I did get one back on and lost it again after going up the backside of Bison waterfall. The links are not really that impressive, a long bar with rubber bushings on both ends, lots of flex I guess. I might need some locktight tho. But I would be buying some replacement links if I found any. I doubt that I will even notice after I get the long travel installed.

Surprisingly, I think we have increased our speed and comfort zone by about 5-8 miles per hour since having the shocks installed. Mostly noticeable in the washes. I feel we are where we wanna be finally (after changing the arms and axles out again soon).

I have been wanting to do some video and drone stuff of it but just not had any free time in between rides, work and other trips on da wifey's schedule. 2 more weeks, lol!

 

[DLC]

That’s really cool ! fantastic info - Feed back from you on what upgrades actually work!

sway bar are you loosing /breaking bolts or breaking actual links?



you could have a set of links made up fairly easy with heim joints

 

[throttle]

That’s really cool ! fantastic info - Feed back from you on what upgrades actually work!

sway bar are you loosing /breaking bolts or breaking actual links?



you could have a set of links made up fairly easy with heim joints

Not breaking, just been loosing top nut and then it works it’s way out of the bar and I loose the bushings.

This is what it should look like

 

[240Hallett]

Drill a hole in the threads above the nut and put an R clip (like the one behind it in the picture). Or a lock nut.
Or both!

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

If you are willing to sell the suspension stuff off the car, let me know and what price. I can see if my neighbor is interested with his ‘22 Ranger trail boss.

Awesome progress with the car!

 

[throttle]

If you are willing to sell the suspension stuff off the car, let me know and what price. I can see if my neighbor is interested with his ‘22 Ranger trail boss.

Awesome progress with the car!

Thank you
I was going to list up the parts when I had a better timeline on new ones coming and getting it all re installed. I would be shocked to find a scratch on them, and would be happy to sell at half the price of retail. New set and powdercoat would be close to $3200, I will round down and think $1500 would be fair and respectable. He would be getting the front and back upper and lower arms.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Thank you
I was going to list up the parts when I had a better timeline on new ones coming and getting it all re installed. I would be shocked to find a scratch on them, and would be happy to sell at half the price of retail. New set and powdercoat would be close to $3200, I will round down and think $1500 would be fair and respectable. He would be getting the front and back upper and lower arms.

I will ask him when I see him this weekend if he might be interested. He is not in a huge rush so whatever timeline you have is likely fine.

 

[zeastom]

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!

vidmate 2014 mobdro app

 

[throttle]

Some shit went down this week!

Changed over to HCR Long Travel. Gotta give Anderson AZ West huge thanks! The guys were faced with a few hiccups along the way (broken front outer joint, no parts available, some fitting issues and a replacement shock that had been sent was wrong one) but met the challenges. When timelines were being pushed, they work longer and pushed to finish after hours.

 

[throttle]

Time to play!

 

[throttle]

Swapped out to HCR's Long Travel Kit.

 

[throttle]

 

[counterpart7]

How's the ride with the new kit?

 

[throttle]

How's the ride with the new kit?

Yesterday was a fun day in the desert after all the rain. No doubt, the ride got better.

Desert was wet! Dirt was tacky! As the tires bite, and as one would expect the wide stance really let me feel the vehicle handle better. Having the shocks sit a bit wider seemed to absorb more side range too instead of the pogo stick bounce of the stock shock just going up and down. Last week and next week, trying to get it up into Utah but it keeps snowing.

 

[MountainDog]

Very curious to hear how she performs in Sand Hollow. I have 2021 Ranger crew Northstar Ultimate and have been looking at doing either pretty much the same build or adding a Turbo R to the garage. Most of my group have RZRs and run Moab and Sand Hollow several times a year. I run tracks in the winter to get to our cabin so if I switch to long travel I need to either have custom brackets made for the tracks to work with the new arms or swap the long travel / factory arms and axles back and forth as the tracks go on and off, do-able for me but less than ideal. I dig the HCR arms but High Lifter long travel may be easier to build brackets around? Good luck out there! Looking forward to your next post.

 

[throttle]

Very curious to hear how she performs in Sand Hollow. I have 2021 Ranger crew Northstar Ultimate and have been looking at doing either pretty much the same build or adding a Turbo R to the garage. Most of my group have RZRs and run Moab and Sand Hollow several times a year. I run tracks in the winter to get to our cabin so if I switch to long travel I need to either have custom brackets made for the tracks to work with the new arms or swap the long travel / factory arms and axles back and forth as the tracks go on and off, do-able for me but less than ideal. I dig the HCR arms but High Lifter long travel may be easier to build brackets around? Good luck out there! Looking forward to your next post.

I found myself in some dunes there and did not feel as comfortable as the rzr. Its not the vehicle of choice for the dunes! Plus, I am carrying lots of extra weight (65qt cooler, spare tire and tools all add up). The trails we traveled on the West Rim were rad. Staying away from the technical stuff, we found our way over and around obstacles pretty good. Not had the new long travel kit at Sand Hollow yet, but expect it to be better for sure. We tried going twice last month and the weather held us back from wanting to tow there.

If you can manage swapping things out for the seasons and are not looking to mob the trails, the long travel would be the route to take. A new Rzr in the garage sounds great, however you will prolly still do long travel and want to run a bigger tire. Kinda nice to run same vehicle as the others in your group when you need a part or tool, just a thought.

 

[DLC]

Looking really SWEET like the color contrast with the HCR kit

Time to play!

View attachment 1207946

 

[MountainDog]

I found myself in some dunes there and did not feel as comfortable as the rzr. Its not the vehicle of choice for the dunes! Plus, I am carrying lots of extra weight (65qt cooler, spare tire and tools all add up). The trails we traveled on the West Rim were rad. Staying away from the technical stuff, we found our way over and around obstacles pretty good. Not had the new long travel kit at Sand Hollow yet, but expect it to be better for sure. We tried going twice last month and the weather held us back from wanting to tow there.

If you can manage swapping things out for the seasons and are not looking to mob the trails, the long travel would be the route to take. A new Rzr in the garage sounds great, however you will prolly still do long travel and want to run a bigger tire. Kinda nice to run same vehicle as the others in your group when you need a part or tool, just a thought.

I’ve had my Ranger in some dunes and run loaded pretty heavy too so I know how you feel. It felt ok to me as long as I was keeping it lower in a curve or turn than the rzrs can handle but still made the wife nervous. Someone on another forum turned me on to TraxBrax. They have a kit that will allow the Prospector Pros and Camsos to be installed with the SuperATV lift kit, might work with some of the other long travel kits as well? So no swapping arms out for winter or having something custom fab’d. The TraxBrax has tipped me to leaning towards upgrading the Ranger, so of course the Mrs now thinks I should go the Turbo R route…

Good point about running what the rest of the group does for parts and support. I’ve been lucky so far but odds are that won’t last forever.

Some friends were in Sand Hollow last weekend running the trails. I didn’t make it down but was told the weather was pretty good, 70ish and definitely no snow. Hopefully you’ll be able to make it soon.

 

[throttle]

Got shade

 

[throttle]

Headed to Shock Therapy in Phoenix next week for some additional spring work. Gonna go with some bigger ST springs on these Fox shocks for the extra weight (cooler, spare tire, tools) I’m hauling.

 

[Angler]

Headed to Shock Therapy in Phoenix next week for some additional spring work. Gonna go with some bigger ST springs on these Fox shocks for the extra weight (cooler, spare tire, tools) I’m hauling.

View attachment 1230915

Great build thread throttle!

 

[monkeyswrench]

This thing is really cool. I really hadn't seen one of these in person until DS this year...kind of a sheltered life out here. This thread kind of gave me some of the better views of stuff, without laying under one in a parking lot. These are pretty useful, and I could definitely see one being useful out here...of course I'm thinking heater more than AC

 

[throttle]

Towed to Shock Therapy in Phoenix this week for a spring swap. Got the ride height nailed down a bit better. Swapped into stiffer springs on the Fox Shocks for the extra weight on the vehicle. Front and back now just over 15” of ground clearance. This also gave me more room for increasing preload.

They had lots of cool stuff going on and managed to get me in and out in a reasonable amount of time.

Learning that there is more to a shock than just bolting it on. They have been very informative with us. Looking forward to hitting a desert trail in “two weeks”.

 

[throttle]

Headed to Utah to see how it does next month, Sand Hollow and East Zion.

 

[throttle]

Always happy to see the change of seasons in Havasu. Drop da tailgate and its Happy Hour!

 

[throttle]

A good week spent riding in Utah. Sand Hollow, Toquerville, Warner Valley and East Zion (our favorite fo sho!). The trip could maybe be worthy of its own thread in a 2 weeks. We hit lots of different types of terrain, sand, rock, steep hills, some technical areas of rock and sandstone, river crossings and mud.

 

[Terry G]

We were in Utah for the UTV takeover as well, had a blast. One of our new favorite places. The waterfall and creek trails out of Toquerville was fun, Sand Hollow runs were a blast! Must go if you haven’t been!

 

[throttle]

Upgraded some winch accessories to help make a recovery effort a little easier, safer and effective (the clip and hook that it came with worked once but obviously had lots of room for improvement).

And had another cooler wrapped... came just in time for this weeks excursions

 

[throttle]

Out on ole route 66…

 

[Boat211]

What a cool build. I am just starting to explore the SXS world. This is something I would be interested in for sure.

 

[DLC]

@throttle

How do you like it compared to your old RZR ?

Is the ride quality just as nice?