Our 2014 Polaris RZR XP 1000 became one of UTVGuide.net’s most versatile project vehicles. Starting with Polaris’ then-new 107-horsepower sport side-by-side, we built a machine that could handle dunes, rocky trails, short-course testing and multi-day adventures.
The XP 1000 represented a major step forward when Polaris introduced it for the 2014 model year. Its 999cc ProStar twin-cylinder engine, 64-inch stance, long wheelbase and 20 inches of rear suspension travel gave us a strong platform for testing aftermarket parts in very different environments.
Rather than creating a narrowly focused race or dune car, we equipped this RZR to move between dirt, sand and technical rock crawling. This archive documents the parts we installed and the trips that shaped the build.
2014 Polaris RZR XP 1000 Build Overview
- Vehicle: 2014 Polaris RZR XP 1000
- Engine: 999cc ProStar twin-cylinder
- Original output: 107 horsepower
- Width: 64 inches
- Primary uses: Rock crawling, trail riding, dunes and product testing
- Build period: 2013–2015
For driving impressions from when the platform was new, see our Polaris RZR XP 1000 review and RZR XP 1000 first-ride review.
Protection and Chassis Upgrades
TMW Off-Road Roll Cage, Doors and Front Bumper
TMW Off-Road supplied the roll cage, doors and front bumper. The cage changed the appearance of the RZR while creating a more complete foundation for lighting, communications equipment and the other accessories needed for longer trips.
Factory UTV UHMW Protection
Factory UTV supplied UHMW underbody protection and rock sliders. Full-coverage protection was particularly important because this XP 1000 regularly encountered granite ledges and large rocks on the Rubicon Trail.
Lone Star Racing Suspension Arms
Lone Star Racing A-arms and trailing arms strengthened key suspension components and added durability for aggressive trail use.
Long Travel Industries Radius Arms
High-clearance radius arms from Long Travel Industries improved clearance at the rear of the RZR, where factory-style straight radius rods can contact rocks and trail obstacles.
WARN Winch
A WARN winch provided a dependable self-recovery option for technical trails and backcountry trips.
Suspension, Seats and Safety Equipment
Walker Evans Racing Shocks
Walker Evans Racing shocks were used to tune the RZR for the added accessory weight and the wide range of terrain encountered during the project.
Beard Seats
Beard suspension seats improved comfort and occupant support during rough trail rides and longer days in the vehicle.
Pro Armor Five-Point Harnesses
Pro Armor five-point, three-inch harnesses with sewn-in pads secured the driver and passenger in the aftermarket seats.
Axia Alloys Accessories
Axia Alloys supplied a fire-extinguisher mount and panoramic rearview mirror.
Dirt Tire and Wheel Setup
GBC Kanati Mongrel Tires and HiPer Wheels
For hardpack and rocky terrain, the RZR ran 30-inch GBC Kanati Mongrel tires mounted on HiPer Racing dual-beadlock wheels. The larger radial tires added ground clearance and delivered the durability needed for trails such as the Rubicon.
Visit GBC Motorsports | Visit HiPer Racing Wheels
Tire Blocks Run-Flat System
Tire Blocks were installed inside all four GBC Mongrel tires. We tested the system on the VORRA short-course track at Prairie City SVRA, completing approximately 10 miles with no air in the driver-side rear tire.
Sand Tire and Wheel Setup
GMZ Sand Stripper Tires and Venomous Wheels
For dune trips, we switched to GMZ Race Products Sand Stripper tires mounted on Venomous wheels. This setup was tested at Sand Mountain, Nevada.
Engine and Electrical Upgrades
Muzzy’s Performance Exhaust and Fuel Controller
The RZR used a Muzzy’s dual exhaust with a Gen 4 DigiTune fuel controller. The controller allowed fueling to be adjusted to work with the freer-flowing exhaust system.
Autotrend EFI Fuse and Relay Panel
An Autotrend EFI fuse-and-relay panel provided an organized power-distribution point for the lights, radio and other electrical accessories.
Communications Equipment
Rugged Radios Radio and DSP Intercom
The communications system combined a two-way radio, DSP intercom, mounting hardware and wireless components. It allowed clear in-car conversation while also supporting vehicle-to-vehicle communication during group rides.
Lighting and Appearance
Rigid Industries LED Lighting
Rigid Industries LED lighting improved visibility for night rides, while supplemental accent lighting helped make the vehicle more visible around camp.
Radiantz LED Dust Lights
Amber Radiantz Z-Flex LED strips served as rear-facing dust and visibility lights.
Sick-Stick Lighted Whips
Lighted whips improved visibility in the dunes and around camp after dark.
Wolf Designs Graphics
Wolf Designs completed the project’s custom graphics wrap.
Trips and Testing
Rubicon Trail Camping Trip – June 2014
The completed XP 1000 returned to the Rubicon Trail for a camping trip in June 2014. Its protection, recovery equipment, 30-inch tires and high-clearance suspension components were especially useful on the granite trail.
Prairie City SVRA – January 2014
We took the RZR to Prairie City SVRA for another round of rock-crawling and suspension testing.
Sand Mountain – December 2013
Sand Mountain – October 2013
This quick day trip gave us an opportunity to test the GMZ Sand Stripper tire setup.
Prairie City SVRA – September 2013
At Prairie City, we tested the XP 1000 on the VORRA short-course track and evaluated the Tire Blocks run-flat system. The Tire Blocks were fitted inside the 30-inch GBC Mongrels mounted on HiPer beadlock wheels.
For part of the test, the driver-side rear tire contained no air. We completed approximately 10 miles on the short-course track at a brisk testing pace, demonstrating how the internal tire-support system could keep the RZR mobile after a loss of pressure.
Rubicon Trail – August 2013
Our first rock-crawling trip with the new XP 1000 was a day run on the Rubicon. At this stage, the RZR was still largely stock apart from PURE Polaris bumpers and a tire carrier, HWM underbody protection, 30-inch GBC Kanati Mongrels, HiPer dual-beadlock wheels and Tire Blocks.
The longer wheelbase and suspension worked impressively well in the rocks. Read the complete 2014 Polaris RZR XP 1000 rock-crawling review for our detailed impressions.
Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series – Reno
We displayed the new RZR XP 1000 during the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series event in Reno, Nevada.
Polaris Press Introduction in Parker and Glamis
Polaris handed us the keys to our new XP 1000 in Parker, Arizona. After several hours of riding there, we continued directly to Glamis for more time in the dunes.
DuneFest 2013 – Our First XP 1000 Ride
DuneFest 2013 provided our first opportunity to drive the XP 1000. Its engine response, suspension and stability immediately demonstrated how large a performance step Polaris had taken over the previous RZR XP 900.
Read our RZR XP 1000 first-ride review and the complete DuneFest 2013 trip report.
What This RZR XP 1000 Build Accomplished
This project demonstrated why the original RZR XP 1000 became such an important platform. The same vehicle could be equipped for dunes, driven at speed on a short-course track and then taken onto one of America’s most demanding rock-crawling trails.
The build also gave us extended experience with the XP 1000 beyond a conventional press introduction. Each trip exposed different strengths and helped us determine which protection, comfort, communications and traction upgrades delivered practical benefits in the real world.
For more Polaris model history, reviews and project vehicles, visit our Polaris UTV coverage and UTV build-project archive.
