RHINOS RULE
Mini 4x4s Are All the RageThe Yamaha Rhino is thought by many to be a farm implement or 4WD golf cart. The truth is, the Rhino is these things and much more. A fast growing contingent of loyal Rhino owners have discovered the fun and freedom of blasting the dunes, crawling down rocky trails, and exploring the road less traveled in their Rhinos.
Of course, when any vehicle gets popular, the aftermarket accessory manufacturers take note and begin building accessories to improve that vehicles performance, off-road capabilities, durability, and of course looks. Here we install a few of these great products to show you a few of the offerings to upgrade your Rhino for better performance and looks.
Fabtech Performance Suspensions offers Rhino owners a long travel suspension system that widens the track 12 inches, 6 per side, increases wheelbase by 4-inchs and adds 3-inches in overall height. The longer suspension arms are made from 1.25 OD .120 wall 4130 Chromo tubing with dimple die gusset plates for added strength. The front upper arms feature 3/4-inch Teflon lined heim joints at the ends, while the lower arms have 7/8-inch uniballs. This allows the new suspension an unrestricted 13-inches of usable wheel travel. The steering is upgraded with tie-rod extensions that feature 1/2-inch heim ends for durability.
Also included are replacement 4340 heat-treated axle shafts. These can be upgraded to complete heavy duty CV axle assemblies to further increase durability.
This suspension can be installed with Fabtech’s stock replacement shocks or upgraded to their DIRT LOGIC 2.0 Coilovers. These directly replace the front and rear shocks and feature a remote reservoir design. Fabtech claims that “extensive ride R&D work has resulted in a supple ride at low speeds for cruising around camp” and “superior dampening capacity at high speeds for those aggressive trail rides.”
They also offer a rear differential support kit and a control arm gusset set for the factory frame mounts. Both of these strengthen critical areas under the Rhino to toughen it for the rigors of aggressive driving.
If one plans to spend a lot of time enjoying their Rhino, a seat upgrade is a must. The industrial quality OE seats are great around the farm, but a little harsh for long use on the trail. Mastercraft offers some very comfortable seats that are a bolt in replacement using the factory seat mounts and belts.
Mastercraft offers upgraded seats for the front of the Rhino in either low back or high back versions. The high back seats (seen here) are great for use with aftermarket cages that remove the stock rear X-beam behind the seat. If the X-beam is retained, the low back seats with optional matching covers for the factory headrest, is the seat option of choice. They also offer a rear seat and 5-point seat belt harnesses.
Speed Industries offers a rear cage extension as well as a rear cross bar option to allow for the installation of 4 or 5-point harnesses. The rear cage extension comes with a rear bumper and they offer a matching front bumper that rounds out the look and comes with a front skid plate. Other options are exhaust tips and muffler end covers, billet aluminum steering wheels and shifter. They also offer a half-door for the Rhino that is not seen here.
Our Rhino installation was handled by Josh Reiter, at the Redondo Beach, CA location. Follow along as we show you a few of the installation steps from this buildup. All products featured are available at 4 Wheel Parts Performance Centers; or mail order 800-284-9840; or on line at www.4wheelparts.com.
1. The Fabtech travel
suspension system features
longer arms made
from 1.25 OD .120 wall
4130 Chromo tubing
with dimple die gusset
plates for added
strength. The front
upper arms feature 3/4”
Teflon lined heim joints
at the ends, while the
lower arms employ 7/8-
inch uniballs.
2. Fabtech DIRT LOGIC
2.0 Coilovers directly
replace the front and
rear shocks on Rhino’s
and feature a remote
reservoir design.
3. The new front suspension
offers an
unrestricted 13-inches
of usable wheel travel.
The steering has tie-rod
extensions that feature
1/2” heim ends for
durability.
4. The rear suspension’s
components are
just as stout as those
used up front.
5. Reiter installs the
new replacement 4340
heat-treated axle shafts
in the stock CV ends.
Another option would be
to upgrade to Fabtech’s
replacement heavy-duty
CV axle assemblies to
further increase durability.
6. The Fabtech suspension
system requires
the steering knuckles be
drilled out. This means
no returning the Rhino
to stock without new
knuckles.
7. Fabtech offers a control arm gusset set for the factory frame mounts to
strengthen critical areas under your Rhino. This will toughen it for the
rigors of aggressive driving.
8. The stock steering tie rods are lengthened to match the wider arms of
the Fabtech kit. In addition, the tie-rod end is upgraded to a heim-joint.
9. Fabtech also offers a rear differential support kit to help prevent cracking
of the differential case when pushing your Rhino to its limits on the
trail.
10. The rear cage extension is best assembled on the ground, leaving all the
bolts loose and then installed on the Rhino before tightening all the bolts.
11. These are Mastercraft’s high back design seats suitable for use on cages that remove the
stock cage rear X-bar. They also offer a rear bench seat that requires a mount and some seat belt
mounting. Note: For safety, the bed must be locked in place with rear seats installed and the seating
area is not for large people.
12. Bedlock wheels are another option available.
13. The upgraded Rhino is looking good and a great performer in the dirt.