We installed a Funco Motorsports +4-inch long-travel suspension system with Sway-A-Way RaceRunner air shocks on our original Kawasaki Teryx. The conversion nearly doubled the available wheel travel while giving the Teryx a wider, more stable stance. This archive documents the components, axle conversion and complete installation.
Editor’s note: This is a legacy review of a suspension system developed for the original-generation Kawasaki Teryx. Product specifications and contact information reflect the system available when we completed the installation. Verify current availability and vehicle compatibility directly with the manufacturer before ordering parts.
Funco Kawasaki Teryx Long Travel Kit
Funco +4-Inch Kawasaki Teryx Long-Travel Kit
The Funco Motorsports suspension system was designed for Kawasaki Teryx owners looking for greater stability and a smoother ride in dunes, desert terrain and other open riding conditions. The kit increased wheel travel from the stock Teryx’s approximately 7.5 inches to a claimed 14 inches.
Each tubular chromoly A-arm extended the suspension four inches per side, substantially increasing the Teryx’s overall track width. Funco retained geometry intended to preserve the responsive steering characteristics of the stock machine. The arms were finished in metallic silver for corrosion resistance and a clean appearance.
The complete conversion also included longer, high-strength 300M axle shafts and the necessary suspension components. The original CV joints were transferred from the factory axles to the longer replacement shafts during installation.
Sway-A-Way RaceRunner Air Shocks
Sway-A-Way RaceRunner air shocks controlled the additional suspension travel. These nitrogen-charged shocks were custom-valved for the Kawasaki Teryx and supplied as part of the Funco package.
Unlike a conventional coilover, an air shock uses pressurized nitrogen as its primary spring. This reduced unsprung weight and provided a progressive spring rate. The shocks offered a broad adjustment range, originally specified at 50 to 500 psi, although pressure must always be set according to the shock manufacturer’s procedures and the vehicle’s weight and intended use.
Kawasaki Teryx Long-Travel Installation
The conversion required removal of the stock front and rear A-arms, reuse of the factory ball joints and disassembly of the original axle assemblies. This is more involved than a basic bolt-on shock replacement and requires the proper tools and familiarity with CV-joint and suspension work.
Stock Suspension
Removing the Rear A-Arms
Removing the Front A-Arms
Transferring the Factory Ball Joints
Converting the Axles
Installing the Funco Arms and Axles
Finished Kawasaki Teryx Suspension
Front Suspension
Rear Suspension
Funco Long-Travel Teryx Photo Gallery
Long-Travel Teryx Review
The extra width and additional wheel travel transformed the original Teryx. The wider track made it feel substantially more planted, while the Sway-A-Way air shocks gave the suspension more capacity to absorb dune chop, whoops and harder impacts than the stock system.
The conversion also illustrates the tradeoffs involved with a traditional long-travel kit. The additional width can prevent the vehicle from fitting on narrow trails and may affect trailer compatibility. Longer suspension arms also place different loads on the steering, wheel bearings and driveline, making correct installation, alignment and routine inspection especially important.
For the open terrain and dune riding for which we built this Teryx, however, the increased stability and suspension performance represented a major improvement over the original suspension.
About Funco Motorsports
Funco Motorsports was founded by Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee Gil George and became well known for its high-performance sand cars. The company applied its fabrication and racing experience to early UTV suspension systems, including this kit for the original Kawasaki Teryx.
About Sway-A-Way
Sway-A-Way developed suspension components for numerous forms of motorsports, including off-road racing, sand cars, rock crawlers and other performance vehicles. Its RaceRunner air shocks were a popular lightweight option during the early years of modified sport UTVs.
