As a boy I was told on countless occasions that if I continue to make goofy faces I could be stuck with that look forever. After wearing a smile that stretches from ear to ear for the past week I can confirm that this statement is strictly a myth. My Colgate smile is the direct result of watching our 2009 Kawasaki Teryx EFI being molded into an extreme off-road terror. We began this project like any other by determining the intended use of the machine, terrain that would be encountered and the degree of powerplant modifications that would be necessary. We then devised a detailed plan and set it in motion. Our expectations were high, and our results were even more spectacular than we could have ever imagined.
Unlike the plethora of high-performance Teryx builds of the past our new machine presented quite a challenge due to the addition of Kawasaki's Electronic Fuel Injection in 2009. Transforming this Teryx would take a combined effort of our industry friends. To conquer the restrictions presented by the EFI we enlisted the help of two individuals who we were certain could send our newest creation to a whole new level. These mechanical gurus are Mickey Dunlap of Four Stroke Tech and Steve Engle of Dasa Racing. Unfortunately, you will have to continue reading as this machine unfolds before discovering what these mad doctors of massive V-twins are up to.
"As soon as the engine fires...
"As soon as the engine fires a deep rumble can be felt throughout your entire body, and it quickly turns to an aggressive teeth- chattering roar as you roll into the throttle."
While browsing unique products for our project it was apparent that a majority of custom UTVs utilize +6 inch A-arms giving them an extremely wide and stable platform. This is great for the open trails and deserts of the Western states, but for those of us on the East Coast it would be near impossible to traverse our trail systems. Most UTV aftermarket companies don't offer an alternative to the ultra-wide setup, and I was beginning to think stock arms would be my only option until contacting LoneStar Racing where I found exactly what I had been searching for. LoneStar sells alternate lengths! For the Teryx, LoneStar offers +3 inch long-travel arms with +1 inch rear placement, which would give us an overall width just shy of 65 inches allowing us to navigate tight terrain. This setup is capable of accommodating the factory shock for a full 11.5 inches of travel but performs at its best with an extended-travel aftermarket shock.
If you follow off-road truck racing, you will instantly recognize the name King Suspension as an industry leader. What you may not realize is that King now offers an array of shocks for the UTV market, and thanks to its phenomenal reputation on the track it was a must that we bolt a set under our Teryx. At first glance it's obvious these oversize shocks have inherited technology that has been developed after many years of truck racing, and now this technology will be absorbing massive amounts of abuse that our Teryx is sure to be subjected to. King produces UTV shocks with your choice of either piggyback reservoirs, as our Teryx is outfitted, or remote-mounted reservoirs.
Typically when bolting long-travel suspension onto a sport ATV you will need four components specifically designed for your application. These are A-arms, shocks, tie-rods and brake lines. UTVs have the same needs but also require the use of extended axles. LoneStar Racing's A-arm package comes complete with tie-rod extensions and the appropriate axles are available. I chose the easy route and installed a set of Gorilla 4340 chrome-moly steel axles that come ready to install with CV joints that are capable of operating at a 40-degree angle. This eliminates the possibility of suffering axle damage or having them pop out of position during severe duty. They are also incredibly easy to install and do away with the dreadful task of repacking grease into stock CVs after replacing the axles. This undertaking is like pouring salt into a wound as it festers. I'm not typically one to take the easy way out of a situation, but Gorilla's axles provide superior quality with simple installation.
Protecting the front of our...
Protecting the front of our Teryx is an SDR Motorsports bumper with aluminum insert to prevent any sharp objects from puncturing the radiator.
The machine is now 6 inches wider but the brake lines are coming up a bit short. This Teryx is guaranteed to be really fast, and I wouldn't consider taking the issue of braking lightly. Stainless braided lines are a must to reduce swelling in the lines when I'm shoving my foot through the floorboard, and they are less likely to suffer a puncture from any debris we will encounter on the trail. Crown Performance offers just what I'm looking for, and like a box of Crayolas, they are available in any color you desire. I'll be using green to accent the slick green smoke wrap that I have planned.