Editor’s note: This directory documents the extraordinary range of long-travel suspension systems developed during the height of the Yamaha Rhino aftermarket. Many of these kits and manufacturers are no longer active, so the listings should be treated as a historical reference—not a current buyer’s guide. Product specifications are preserved as originally documented by UTVGuide.net.
The Yamaha Rhino helped launch the modern side-by-side aftermarket, and long-travel suspension was one of its defining upgrades. At its peak, more than three dozen companies offered Rhino suspension systems with wider track widths, longer wheelbases, upgraded axles and as much as 16 inches of wheel travel.
This archive preserves those kits and specifications while explaining what buyers considered when building a long-travel Rhino. For the larger story, see our history of the Yamaha Rhino. You can also read our hands-on Yamaha Rhino 660 long-travel suspension review.
What Was Included in a Yamaha Rhino Long-Travel Kit?
Before you go running off to buy one of these long travel kits,it is best to understand what is included so that you can make side-by-side comparisons.
A-Arms – A few different types of a-arms are out there. Most are made from chromoly tubing, others are boxed, and a few are made from billet aluminum or mild steel. Each material type has pros and cons. Ask questions about why a particular material and arm design was chosen.
Some kits come powder coated in a standard color. Others come unfinished or offer custom colors.
A-Arm Hardware – Inner and outer a-arm hardware is typically replaced. The majority of long travel kits come with new bushings (Delron, Daystar, etc.) on the inner side of the a-arm, but some come with heims. On the outer or spindle side, some kits use heims, others use uni-balls, and a few reuse the OEM ball joint. There are pluses and minuses to each type of setup, and quality can vary from heim to heim and bushing to bushing, so ask questions.
Axles – When you extend the wheels out, you are going to need new axles. There are two approaches to this. The cheaper route is to reuse the stock CVs and just replace the axles (for example – Gear One makes a 300m axle for Rhinos). The more expensive route is new axles and CVs. Many builders use Gorilla Axles & CVs. Stepping up to Gorilla Axles & CVs will increase strength and is much easier to install. The cost to step up to Gorilla Axles and CVs varies, but expect to pay up to $1,500 more.
Tie Rods – Some kits come with tie rod extenders. A few come with new tie rods.
Shocks – All of the kits include new coilover shocks. Several shock manufacturers have developed Rhino-specific shocks, so there are many options and prices out there. Long travel kit manufacturers will tend to have a favorite. If you don’t want to mess around with shock valving, stick with what the manufacturer recommends. Shock selection can greatly affect not only the cost, but also the performance of the kit.
Front Shock Tower – A few of the kits have optional front shock towers that raise the upper shock mount location and allow for a longer shock and more wheel travel. Some welding may be necessary.
Spindles – Stock spindles aren’t typically replaced, but a few manufacturers are now offering new spindles as an option. If you race or like to jump, you should look into new spindles.
Frame Gussets – Long travel kits put more stress on the factory mounting locations. Several manufacturers are now offering bolt-on or weld-on gussets to help beef up the stock frame in critical areas.
Other things to ask:
- Does the kit affect ride height? This not only affects how the Rhino will handle, but also if it will make it inside your toy hauler.
- Make sure your kit is “bolt-on” with no welding required.
- Will my OEM wheels fit?
- Will the OEM rear sway bar work?
- Does the kit put extra stress on OEM parts that do not get replaced?
UTVGuide.net Project Rhino Suspension
Our Project Rhino used the following suspension components:
- Long Travel Kit – Mason Motorsports – +6″ Arms
- Shocks/Springs – Elka Suspension – 46mm Elka Elite
- Axles – Gorilla Axle
- Tie Rods – Lonestar Racing
- Front & Rear Differential Support and Frame Gussets – Lonestar Racing
Historical Yamaha Rhino Long-Travel Kit Directory
The specifications below reflect the kits as UTVGuide.net documented them during the original Rhino aftermarket boom. Blank fields mean the information was not available in the original directory.
ADub Motorsports
Billet aluminum arms
A-Arm width:
Wheelbase:
Wheel travel: 13″
Shocks: King
ATVonics
A-Arm width: +6″
Wheelbase:
Wheel travel:
Shocks: KING, FOX, ELKA or Walker Evans
Bad Ass Golf
A-Arm width: +6″ per side
Wheelbase:
Wheel travel:
Shocks:
Bulletproof Suspension
A-Arm width: +6″ per side
Wheelbase:
Wheel travel: 14″
Shocks: Fox
CRS Manufacturing
A-Arm width: +6 inches per side
Wheelbase: +0″ front and +2″ rear
Wheel travel: 15″
Shocks:
Custom Creations
A-Arm width: +6 inches per side
Wheelbase:
Wheel travel:
Shocks: Fox Air Shox
Direct Concept Engineering
A-Arm width: +6″ per side
Wheelbase:
Wheel travel: 14″
Shocks: Radflo
Dragon Fire Racing
A-Arm width: +3.5″ wider per side
Wheelbase: 1″ forward and 1″ back
Wheel travel: 13″
Shocks: Fox
A-Arm width: +6″ wider per side
Wheelbase: 1″ forward and 1.5″ back
Wheel travel: 14″
Shocks: Fox
Excessive Suspension Engineering – ESE
A-Arm width: +6 inches per side
Wheelbase: 2″ forward and 2″ back
Wheel travel: 15″
Shocks: Radflo
Fabtech Motorsports
A-Arm width: +6″ wider per side
Wheelbase: +2″ front, +2″ rear
Wheel travel: 13″
Shocks: Fabtech Dirtlogic
Also manufactures Control Arm Frame Gussets and Rear Differential Support Kits.
Fireball Racing
A-Arm width: +6″ wider per side
Wheelbase:
Wheel travel: 16″
Shocks: Bilstein by MicroTouch
A-Arm width: +4″ wider per side
Wheelbase:
Wheel travel:
Shocks: Bilstein by MicroTouch
FST Motorsports
A-Arm width: +6.5 wider per side.
Wheelbase: 2″ forward, 2″ rear
Wheel Travel:
Shocks: Dual rate King
Shock relocation brackets
Fulcrum Fabrication
Billet aluminum long travel kit.
A-Arm width: +6″ wider per side.
Wheelbase: +2″ wheelbase (rear only)
Wheel travel: 13″ wheel travel
Shocks:
HCR Racing
A-Arm width: +6″
Wheelbase: +1″ forward and 1″ rearward
Wheel Travel: 15″
Shocks: King
Website: www.hcrracing.com
Location: Cedar City, UT
Phone: 602-568-3944
Herrmann Racing
A-Arm width: +6″ wider per side.
Wheelbase: +2″ wheelbase.
Wheel Travel: 13″
Shocks: Fox
HRT Motorsports
A-Arm width: +6″ wider per side.
Wheelbase: +2″ wheelbase.
Wheel Travel: 14″
Shocks: Fox
iShock
+6 i2500LT:
A-Arm width: +6 wider per side.
Wheelbase: 2″ forward, 2″ rear
Wheel Travel: 14″
Shocks: iShock
+3.5 i2500LT:
A-Arm width: +3.5″ wider per side.
Wheelbase: +1″ rear
Wheel Travel: 12″
Shocks: iShock
Laeger Racing
A-Arm width: +6″ wider per side.
Wheelbase:
Wheel Travel:
Shocks: Elka
Lonestar Racing
XTR Long travel:
A-Arm width: +6.5 wider per side.
Wheelbase: 2 forward, and 2 rear.
Wheel Travel: 15.5 of rear, 14.25 front.
Shocks: Your choice
MTS Mid travel:
A-Arm width: +3″ wider per side.
Wheelbase: 1″ forward and 1″ backward.
Wheel Travel: 10″
Shocks: Stock length will work
Website: www.lsracing.com
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Long Travel Industries
A-Arm width: + 5 wider per side.
Wheelbase: Forward 2” and back 2”.
Wheel travel: 14
Shocks: King
Magnum Offroad
A-Arm width: +6″ wider per side
Wheelbase: Forward 2” and back 2”.
Wheel travel: 14″
Shocks: Fox
Website: www.magnumoffroad.com
Mason Motorsports – Now at SDR Motorsports
Fully boxed A-arms made of 4130 chromoly.
A-Arm width: + 6″wider per side.
Wheelbase: 4″ longer
Wheel travel: 14 1/2″
Shocks: Fox, Elka
PEM Products
Made from billet aluminum.
A-Arm width: +4″ wider per side.
Wheelbase: Forward 2” and back 2”.
Wheel travel: 11.5
Shocks: Walker Evan’s Racing
Mafia Industries – Rhino Mafia (Sinister)
A-Arm width: +6″ wider per side.
Wheelbase: +2″
Wheel travel: 14″ in front (with upper mount relocate kit), 16″ rear.
Shocks: Fox
Front shock tower mount available.
Rancho Suspension
A-Arm width: +4″
Wheelbase:
Wheel travel:
Shocks: Rancho Suspension
RhinoTech
A-Arm width: +4″ wider per side.
Wheelbase: +1″
Wheel travel: 12″
Shocks: King
Front shock tower mount.
SDR Motorsports
Fully boxed A-arms made of 4130 chromoly.
A-Arm width: + 6″wider per side.
Wheelbase: 4″ longer
Wheel travel: 14 1/2″
Shocks: Fox, Elka
Website: www.sdrmotorsports.com
Shaw’z Metal Fabrications
A-Arm width: +6″ wider per side
Wheelbase: +4″
Wheel travel: 14″
Shocks: Fox
SoCal Fab
Single Shock and Dual Shock w/ Bypass kits available
A-Arm width:+6″ wider per side.
Wheelbase: 2″ forward and 2″ backward
Wheel travel: 14.5″
Shocks: Elka, King, Walker Evans, Fox
A-Arm width: +4″ wider per side.
Wheelbase:
Wheel travel:
Shocks:
Also manufacture Rhino spindles.
So-Cal Offroad and Custom
A-Arm width: +6.5″ wider per side.
Wheelbase:
Wheel travel:
Shocks:
Website: eBay
Phone: (661) 948-8037
SoCal UTV
A-Arm width: +6″ wider per side.
Wheelbase:
Wheel travel: 13″
Shocks:
Spectrum Sand Sports / LTRhino.com
A-Arm width: +6″ wider per side.
Wheelbase: 2″ forward and 2″ backward
Wheel travel: 12″
Shocks:
SSR Industries
A-Arm width: +4″ wider per side.
Wheelbase: +1″ wheelbase.
Wheel Travel: 13″
Shocks: Fox
Speed Unlimited Motorsports
A-Arm width:
Wheelbase:
Wheel travel:
Shocks:
Tee Zey Motorsports
A-Arm width:
Wheelbase:
Wheel travel: 14.5″
Shocks:
Todd’s Custom Billet
Billet aluminum 6061 control arms
A-Arm width: +6.25″ wider per side
Wheelbase: +1″ forward and 2″ backward
Wheel travel: 13 1/2″
Shocks: King
Toxic Rhinos
A-Arm width: +6″ wider per side
Wheelbase: +2″ forward and 2″ backward
Wheel travel: 16″
Shocks: King, Fox
Triple X Rhino Sports
A-Arm width: +6″ wider per side
Wheelbase: +2″ forward and 2″ backward
Wheel travel:
Shocks: Elka, King, Fox
Twisted Laboratories
A-Arm width:
Wheelbase:
Wheel travel:
Shocks: King, Walker Evans Racing
Xtreme Machine & Fabrication
A-Arm width: +6″
Wheelbase: +2″ back
Wheel travel: 13 3/4″
Shocks: WER
Why This Archive Matters
The size of this directory illustrates how quickly the Yamaha Rhino created an entirely new performance market. Fabricators experimented with chromoly and billet control arms, longer wheelbases, shock-tower relocations, upgraded spindles and multiple shock packages. Those ideas helped establish the suspension-development pattern followed by later sport UTVs.
Continue with the complete Yamaha Rhino history or see how one of these systems performed in our Project Rhino long-travel review.
