The Ultimate Guide to UTV Upgrades and Accessories

Vast, rugged expanses and fluctuating weather were key factors behind the first Utility Terrain Vehicle – the Jiger. Conceived by a Toronto-based company in the 1960s, this 6-wheeled go-anywhere machine was praised by hunters, adventurers, farmers and outdoor workers. Despite slow sales, the Jiger set the stage for what would become the most popular powersports category, outselling both snowmobiles and smaller single-rider ATVs.  

North American brands make the bulk of the sales – with Can-Am and Polaris edging out Japanese rivals for technological innovation, pure power and performance over mechanical simplicity and workhorse reliability. All makes however have a steady foothold in the Canadian market, with models that can be readily upgraded and modified with aftermarket UTV parts Canada. 

Besides regular consumables like air and oil filters, brake pads, fluids and spark plugs, owners retain or improve performance with durable drive belts; improve overall storage and carrying capacity with a range of cargo solutions, and increase safety, convenience and utility with add-ons as diverse as rearview mirror combo sets, tough winch cradles, upgraded shocks, accessory equipment holders and more. 

Replacing and Upgrading UTV Drive Belts 

Drive belts are the thick flexible rubber bands that transfer engine power to CVTs and wheels via a set of pulleys. Most factory belts last 2000 miles in normal driving conditions. Excessive heat inside the clutch pulleys, constant pulling and pushing when shifting through gear ratios and damaging external factors such as mud, water and road debris all eat into this number. Driving habits, such as towing, hauling and using high gears on inclines also accelerate wear until the belt frays, loses cogs and slips – resulting in slipped gears, power loss or stalling. 

UTV owners have three options during replacement – standard OEM drive belts that offer much of the same performance and longevity for casual trail riding and low-stress farm and construction work; heavy-duty aftermarket variants that improve towing and hauling capabilities with durable materials like Kevlar for added strength; and heavy-duty aftermarket drive belts featuring carbon-fiber cords, strengthened cog profiles and the ability to handle the high torque from UTVs pushing over 200+hp. All are for different use cases and priced accordingly. 

When buying consider compatibility with your UTV in terms of length, cog count and that the belt is rated for they UTV’s power. This ensures smooth power transfer, proven durability in both daily and demanding tasks and belts that won’t snap and cause costly transmission and engine issues. 

The Benefits of Gun Racks 

Hunters, farmers, ranchers and sports shooters benefit from UTVs fitted with gun racks. Big game hunters can secure longer rifles and scopes without fear of bouncing or vibrations; sport and trap shooters can transport shotguns safely across club shooting grounds; and farmers and acreage managers can keep firearms at arm’s length and ready to take on predators, protect livestock and deal with intruding wildlife. 

Choose overhead racks that safely attach to UTV roll cages and keep firearms away from passengers and mud or spraying water. Go with floor or dash gun mounts when positioning firearms for immediate use. Or choose side and side rails to mount guns on storage racks or cargo box sides and angled away from the cabin in clay shooting or preventing nuisance wildlife on farms and large acreage. 

Increase Storage with Cargo Boxes, Overhead Bags and More 

UTVs benefit from large cargo beds and decent load capacities, with the largest side-by-sides comfortable of hauling 1000 pounds of gear in rear dump beds alone. What most owners forget is the extra space in cabins, front baskets and hoods. These complement the rear beds meant for heavier and heftier equipment with space and convenience for smaller items. 

To increase cabin storage capacity, consider durable overhead bags hung from overhead roll cages. These UTV parts Canada store items and necessities at arm’s length, such as phones, glasses, wallets and maps and ensure they are protected from mud and gravel. Choose door bags for UTV essentials like tools and spare parts or hard plastic center consoles with padding to store electronics like laptops and two-way radios. or have drink and bottle holders on longer rides and hunting and fishing trips. 

For medium to large items and improved organization buy a dedicated cargo box. These are commonly built from rigid plastics, mainly HDPE or LDPE, or aluminum, come as impact, weather and rust resistant, and are available in capacities ranging from 45 liters – suitable for front racks and hood, up to 175 liters in larger or extended varieties mounted to rear beds. They provide ample room for recovery gear, hand tools, and spare parts and most include internal dividers and compartment for easier organization. 

Safe Recoveries with Winch Cradles 

Winch cradles and matching recovery gear are essential for longer rides. These UTV parts provide the structural support for dedicated UTV winches, perform recoveries and self-recoveries and provide the versatility to easily move from front to rear receiver hitches in removable varieties. Cradles are built of thick-gauge steel plates to handle extreme pulling tension and the weight of a fully-laden UTV, come as powder coated to resist rust and mud. Go with UTV model-specific cradles for easy installation and cradles that secure to factory mounting points, or universal and receiver cradles for mounting versatility. For safe recoveries, verify that cradles match winches in terms of overall size and pulling capacity and provide enough space for compatible fairleads and synthetic rope or cable assemblies.