RTV Lift Kit

dos_perros · Dec 4, 2006

Has anybody had real-time experience with installing and using a lift kit on an RTV? Particularly interested in changes in stability on the vehicle. Thanks.

Dargo · Dec 11, 2006

I've had a 2" lift on my RTV along with 25" Bighorn tires, which seem to measure almost 27" tall. I've not had any stability issues. Quite by accident, I discovered that the RTV is honestly much harder to turn over than I would have thought. I was traversing a hill on the backside of the dam on one of my lakes and the rear wheel found an erosion rut that was covered by weed and grass growth. I'd guess that rut was an honest 3' deep and about 18" wide. It dropped the driver's side rear all the way into that hole (which was on the downside of the tilt angle) and the tire never hit the bottom of the hill.

The tilt angle was so severe that the driver's side of the tailgate was into the ground. My GSD, Dargo, was in the back at the time. It was down so much that he simply stepped over the tailgate and onto the ground to get out. The right front wheel was almost waist high in the air and the driver's side floor was also on the ground. Personally, I just about laid an egg!

I can't give some great story about being able to drive right out of the hole on it's own (I was too scared to even try with the precarious angle), but after I tied the winch off uphill on a tree, I was easily able to crawl out with the help of the winch. I'm certainly not going to say it is impossible to flip an RTV with a 2" lift kit, but it doesn't go over nearly as easy as I would have thought. I would have expected it to have gone over and rolled on down the hill when that wheel dropped so much, but it didn't.

dos_perros · Dec 16, 2006

Thanks Dargo for the testimonial. I really enjoy the stoutness of my RTV but would like a little more ground clearance. The lift kit with 2" should solve my problem. Stability does not sound like an issue. Stay well.

jhammer · Dec 16, 2006

dargo; just wondering if you carried a spare pair of britches with you ,and if you needed them??? also .. how well do the vinyl seats clean up??? have a nice day....hammer

TOMMYHPX4X4 · Dec 16, 2006

i pressure wash mine and they clean up really good. as for the seats they clean up real easy too.lol.i figure i would pass this info on to you guys . i have a buddy who split his cv boot on hix 4x4 truck with a pressure washer so you might wanna put it on the low pressure setting or wide angle setting when doing the cv boots .lol stay away from the stream setting it will cut right into the boot!!!!

dunebuggy55 · Dec 16, 2006

Hello All ,I am new to use this site but have been on it for a couple of years. I have a newly purchased rtv. I was wondering Dargo or any one else if you have any tire rubbing with the lift kit and larger tires. I was thinking of going with 27" or 28 "tires. But i dont want any problems while turning or binding on a side hill. Thanks, Dunebuggy55

Dargo · Dec 16, 2006

You know, I really don't know how much clearance I have. All I know is that I don't rub. I guess next time I get it out I can look with and see. Right now the RTV is sort of buried in the back of the barn. I'm working on a few other projects that are kind of taking up all the room.

bczoom · Dec 20, 2006

My setup is the same as Dargo's (Bighorn's & lift kit).
The Bighorn's are 26.5" tall. With the lift kit, there's no rubbing.
Not sure if you can get 28 inch in there...

dos_perros · Dec 20, 2006

Hi Bczoom. With your setup, how much ground clearance did you gain from original OEM specification? Can kind of guess, but am thinking of doing the same. Your info would be helpful.