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| September 08, 2010, 12:04:10 PM |
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Mason Motorsports Rhino Long Travel Suspension kit
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Product Overview:
On our journey to build Project "Rhino" into a Dune Jumping, Trail-Blazing, Snow-Throwing all purpose vehicle we stumbled upon the realization that the stock suspension just wasn't going to cut it. Don't get me wrong the stock ride isn't all that bad and with the aid of some nice aftermarket shocks might be satisfactory by anyone's standards. For our Rhino we wanted the complete long travel package! The wider arms, reservoir shocks, everything! The longer arms not only provide twice the suspension travel (14.5") as the stock rhino suspension (7.5") it also adds a 12-inch wider stance to our Rhino's footprint. The extra 6-inches per side adds to the vehicles overall stability in all types of offroading conditions. Mason Motorsports is offering a 100% 4130 chromoly fully boxed a-arm Yamaha Rhino kit that adds 6-inch wider per side with a 2-inch longer wheelbase at both ends. That's a total of 4-inch longer wheelbase and 12-inch wider stance to your Rhino. Backed by over 25 years in mechanical engineering and fabrication you know your getting a good product. Mason Motorsports takes the time to engineer there kit on an AutoCAD program to ensure the most durable yet light weight kit. We chose to install this kit on our Rhino for its indestructible reputation and smooth riding 14.5" of wheel travel at both ends. We have been known to test our Project vehicles a little rougher than most and there for tend to break more parts than the average. We'll see if Mason Motorsports has what it takes. On with the installation!
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"Surprisingly Easy To Install"
We spent about 5-hours total installing the complete Mason Motorsports kit. The kit went together so smoothly it was complete and driving in half a days worth of work. I was more than happy with how well it went together having never done anything mechanical on our Rhino before. These UTV's are a lot easier than Jeeps.
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| The front portion of the kit went together with no problems short of a little extra effort to get the stock ball joints out of the factory arms. Nothing a couple good hits from our trusty hammer couldn't fix. As seen in the pictures on Page 1 the front installation was pretty straight forward. The instructions provide an excellent step by step guide to putting everything together. Since this was my first time ever installing a Rhino long travel kit I was amazed how simple the process was. Its all pretty self explanatory once you start taking the tires off. Simply remove the factory a-arms, axles, and shocks and replace them with this Mason components. Ok not that simple but almost. I'm guessing we spent no more than 3-hours total to install the front. On to the Rear Installation!
The rear part of the kit went a little faster than the front because there was no steering knuckles or alignment to contend with. The old arms were off in no time and since we previously removed the entire sway-bar system that was already taken care of. The stock shafts popped out with a couple good yanks and the stock arms were sitting in the stock pile in a matter of minutes. Always nice to have air tools.
The Mason rear kit went on in about half the time the front kit did. All pivot points (poly arm bushings) were greased up with some all-purpose grease to avoid potential squeaks later. The rear Fox piggyback shocks were custom preset to a recommended spring rate Mason Motorsports has designated and available for both 2-seat and 4-seat configurations. Whether or not we'll do any final adjusting will be determined later. The rear springs are firmer than the fronts similar to the stock setup but require a little more spring rate since its heavier in the back.
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| After a half days worth of installation it was time for the moment of truth. Was all the engineering and custom coil over shocks really going to alter the way our Rhino rides...? Will the difference in handling and jumping be worth it...? Were about to find out!
Test Drive Time! As we headed out for the first test drive on the road we immediately noticed a slight metal on metal rubbing sound... "That's not good." After further examination we determined that the front passenger side wheel was rubbing on the uniball nut on the front upper arm. As we rotated the wheel we noticed there was a pretty nice flat spot along the wheel that was our point of contact. I guess all that big air we were catching in Pismo did a little more damage than I thought. After some wheel "forming" with the sledge it was clearing in no time. Good thing we have new wheels coming this month. None the less it was now ready for the first test run. We took a few slow speed street laps around the neighborhood to make sure everything was installed correct. I wanted to be 100% sure that everything had been tightened and addressed before we headed out to the dirt for some much needed beatings! All the bolts got a quick tightness check and it was ready to go. Fortunately our local trails are just around the corner for testing grounds. Some nice rough Southern California mountain terrain made for perfect high speed suspension testing.
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"Take a little time to check out the view" |
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 Ocotillo Wells Desert Testing: Now that we spent a good couple days in the local mountain trails testing it was time to take it out to Ocotillo wells for a little desert riding. Nothing can be more harsh and rough than some rough desert trails beating your kidneys. The first couple times through the whoops I cringed my face and held on tight to the steering wheel. To my surprise the Fox piggyback shocks soaked up the beating and provided a comfortable ride. By the end of the day we were smooth sailing through the desert like the pros.. well maybe not but we sure did enjoy the new ride!
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Dumont Dune Testing: For our last test we headed out to Dumont Dunes for a little dune testing. Project "Rhino" has only seen the dunes two times now. The first time being at Pismo beach a week or so after adopting our Rhino 660 as a new Offroad-Review Project Vehicle. With over 8,500 acres of riding arear we headed across the sand effortlessly up and over dunes like a little buggy. Our Rhino's new stability we mentioned before was noticed the most out here in the dunes. Side hilling across the top of the dunes can feel a little unstable at times but the new extra foot of width sure is noticeable.
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Conclusion:
After months of beating the hell out of our rhino on just about every terrain condition you could imagine we have come to the conclusion that this Mason Long Travel kit is definitely capable of withstanding all the hammering we can dish out. I could go on all day about how much more we like our Rhino after installing this kit. It's definitely changed the whole riding experience!! It was great working with Mason Motorsports and there staff on this Product Review!! check out there website for more details on Mason Motorsports and there Rhino products.
 News Release: The winner of the 2007 Parker 250 race was sporting a Mason Long Travel kit on there Rhino too!! Who knows you might see us out there one of these days. :)
 Dont Forget to check out the Youtube video section for some clips of this kit in action. Click Here
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(1 Comments , 0 are new)
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Re: Long Travel Kit - PRODUCT REVIEW
by
on December 11, 2007, 09:08:09 PM
I'M happy with my sniper kit no stock ball joints to snap and caster and camber can be ajusted in the front for all ride hights
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