D&P Performance’s “Acid Trip” Can-Am Defender HD11 Build
October 9, 2026
UTV build projects start with a goal: better control in the rocks, a smoother ride through the desert, more comfort on long adventures or a setup ready for the dunes. At UTVGuide.net, we document how our side-by-sides evolve through parts selection, installation and time behind the wheel.
Follow our builds for suspension upgrades, shock tuning, wheels and tires, drivetrain modifications, skid plates, lighting, communications, seating and storage. The focus is on how the parts work together and what we learn when the finished setup reaches the trail.
A useful build starts with the terrain you ride and the improvements you want to make. Tire size, gearing, suspension settings, accessory weight and cargo needs all influence the final setup. Our project stories show the choices behind each vehicle, giving you a starting point for your own modifications.
For more custom machines from shops, brands and owners, explore Build Spotlight and the UTV of the Month archive. Our product reviews offer a closer look at individual upgrades, while our buyer’s guides help you compare options.
Browse the build projects below for parts lists, project updates and riding impressions.
We put our modified 2021 Can-Am Commander XT-P to the test on Double Sammy, one of Sand Hollow’s technical rock-crawling trails.
We took our modified 2021 Can-Am Commander XT-P to the Rubicon Trail to test its Smart-Lok front differential, low-range gearing, suspension, 32-inch tires and adventure-ready cargo capacity.
We took our four-seat 2019 Can-Am Maverick X3 MAX X rs Turbo R rock crawling at Sand Hollow and discovered that its long wheelbase, low range and upgraded protection made it surprisingly capable on steep waterfalls and ledges.
Three days of Rubicon rock crawling, two nights at Rubicon Springs and a side trip to Sourdough Hill in our gear-hauling Maverick X3 MAX.
We’ve built this Can-Am Maverick X3 Max as an adventure rig. We started with a 2019 Can-Am Maverick X3 Max X rs Turbo R then removed the back seats and converted that space to flexible storage for tools, camping gear,
A closer look at the springs, shock tuning, steering, sway bar and chassis upgrades on our 2020 Maverick X3 X rc Turbo RR.
We tested the upgraded suspension on our 2020 Can-Am Maverick X3 X rc Turbo RR across rock trails, whoops, washes and cross-grain terrain in Johnson Valley.
We transformed our 2020 Can-Am Maverick X3 X rc Turbo RR into a versatile rock-crawling and dune machine with upgrades from Shock Therapy, TMW Off-Road, Cognito, Rugged Radios, SSV Works, SuperATV and more.
After a serious fight against a solid object, this poor Polaris General 1000 was left at the scrapyard to be torn to pieces by the DIY vultures. That was until we decided to try and breathe new life into the
Reid Nordin explores the Rubicon Trail in his Polaris RZR XP Turbo S Velocity, sharing the Loon Lake out-and-back plan, rock-crawling video and vehicle upgrades.