RTV BODY LIFT KIT(ESSEX)

jbiglane · Mar 27, 2005

I have read that several group members have installed ESSEX
Body Lift Kit and have had trouble aligning the front tires after
installing the kit. I am having the same problem. Has anyone
been able to correct this problem.

FL_Cracker · Mar 28, 2005

I installed the lift kit and added 27" 589 tires. At first it looked like it was way out but I drove it around and everything settled in nice. I did nothing about the front end alignment and it drives and looks fine.
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Dargo · Mar 28, 2005

I added the Essex lift kit and have not noticed it being out of line. It drives fine and runs straight.

midwest · Apr 17, 2005

( I installed the lift kit and added 27" 589 tires. At first it looked like it was way out but I drove it around and everything settled in nice. I did nothing about the front end alignment and it drives and looks fine.
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif )
FL, I was curious if you had gained any speed with the 27 inch tires? Did it hurt the horsepower at all? I would appreciate any info you could provide....

FL_Cracker · Apr 27, 2005

Sorry it took me so long to reply, I have been traveling for the last two weeks. I don't think it cost me any horse power but I did test the speed thing. Using a GPS (not the speedo) I found no loss & no gain in speed. My first thought is how can that be? Here's my take. The 27" tires should have given me a higher speed because of the greater distance it travels with one revolution of the axle. But because of the tires need more power to turn the engine was not able to turn the axle at the same RPM as the smaller tires. So that would tell me that I did loose a little power but not enough to worry about.

Hope this helps.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

midwest · Apr 28, 2005

Thanks FL, That's kind of what I was thinking. You get a little and give a little, but not enough to make a big difference..

kabootie · May 2, 2005

i am thinking of getting the 589 titan tire would give me some info on the ride quality i need a good set of tire i live in southeast kentucky and we have very steep hills here not like some of the pix i have seen on this forum we have serious hill here i been looking at the 589/or the maxxis big horn it the 27 inch 589 with the lift kit would be right for my needs .also were could it get a set and a lift kit and how much. every time i get on the essix web site it said the rtv part is under constructions give me some info .please thanks kabootie

Dargo · May 2, 2005

If you are wanting to climb really steep hills, the RTV will not do that. I have some very extreme hills and have done numerous test runs with my Rhino and my RTV. The RTV will climb moderate hills, but no tire will help with really steep hills. You will flat run out of power with a tire that grabs really hard. My Maxxis Bighorns provide more traction than the RTV will turn on hills. If you want to climb really steep hills with the RTV, you will have to find a way to provide considerable more power.

With that said, I can tell you that the Essex lift is fairly easy to install on the RTV. The trick is to remove the front struts when installing the front spacer and then re-install the struts. I spent quite a bit of time trying to get the spacer in with the strut compressed but on the RTV. Won't work. Otherwise, the lift looks good and I have no issues with it.

kabootie · May 3, 2005

i dont know whats a wrong with your rtv but mine has never run out of power and on the extreme hills on my farm i have found my self spinning out on the very steep hills only when it rains and the mud get slick and the only thing that keeps my rtv from climbing the hill is that it spins out on a root or small rock that is on some of my trails if i had a little more tread than the oem atv tires i believe i could make it. my rtv has never run out of power just lack of tire gripp i also believe that the rtv need a diff lock on the front limited slip it just like my old honda atv the wheel in the air is the one spinning and the one on the ground is just sitting there. i will post a pix of my hill on the farm and you will see just how extremly steep thay are ,ps.i have no pboblem climbing them when dry or semi dry just a few one when it very wet i will take some pix this weekend

bczoom · Sep 16, 2005

( With that said, I can tell you that the Essex lift is fairly easy to install on the RTV. The trick is to remove the front struts when installing the front spacer and then re-install the struts. I spent quite a bit of time trying to get the spacer in with the strut compressed but on the RTV. Won't work. Otherwise, the lift looks good and I have no issues with it. )

Dargo & others,

Any tricks I need to know about besides removing the front struts? Do the back ones go in with no problem?

I've been processing firewood this past week and with that kind of load, I'm getting some rubbing when turning while going down hill so I ordered the lift kit which should be here today or tomorrow.

Thanks
Brian

PS. I have about 1/2" or less between the rear frame and the rubber stopper on the suspension. That seems way too close to me. Can anyone tell me what clearance they have?