Wolf Designs’ “Goblin” is a 2015 Polaris RZR XP 1000 dune build that combines long-travel suspension, tuned Walker Evans shocks, lightweight sand wheels and a vivid custom wrap without burying the machine beneath unnecessary accessories.
Words and photos by Cody Hooper. Additional photos by Jon Crowley.
A Clean Approach to a Custom RZR
Vinyl wraps changed the way UTV owners personalize their machines. A quality wrap can completely transform a vehicle’s appearance while remaining durable, flexible and removable. When tastes change or the graphics become damaged, the wrap can be replaced without repainting the body panels.
Jon and Amy Wolf of Wolf Designs built their business around that versatility, creating distinctive graphics with an impressive level of detail. Their work helped them stand out in a rapidly growing UTV-wrap market, but they were not content to remain in the shop. They also wanted a machine they could take into the dunes and enjoy.
Before the wild, V8-powered TMW Off-Road Werewolf came to life, the Wolfs drove a two-seat RZR XP 1000 covered in an eye-catching, boat-flake-inspired wrap. When it was time to replace their 2014 machine, they returned to TMW Offroad with a brand-new 2015 Polaris RZR XP 1000 and a familiar goal: build a capable dune car without losing sight of simplicity.
Lonestar Long-Travel Suspension
Jon was so pleased with the Lonestar Racing long-travel suspension on his previous RZR that he selected the same basic system for the Goblin. The Lonestar MTS kit was designed to retain the original shocks, helping control the cost of converting the RZR to a wider stance.
The system added approximately 3.5 inches of width per side, increased wheel travel to around 20 inches and stretched the wheelbase by approximately three inches. The wider track improved stability while the longer wheelbase helped the RZR remain more composed through dune whoops.
The front shocks were replaced with 2.5-inch Walker Evans Racing units before the complete set was sent to Shock Therapy. The company’s Stage 3 package at the time included custom piston machining, application-specific valving and spring rates, a higher-flow compression-adjuster port, dual-rate springs and an upgraded rear sway bar.
Rather than simply installing larger shocks, the build paired the suspension geometry with tuning selected for Jon’s driving preferences. The result was a more controlled and playful dune car that retained much of the original RZR platform. It is a good example of the aftermarket development that helped shape the broader history of the Polaris RZR.
Sand Tires and HiPer Wheels
Putting the RZR’s power into the sand required the right tire and wheel combination. Jon worked with Fullerton Sand Sports to equip the Goblin with Sand Tires Unlimited Blaster paddle tires mounted on HiPer Racing carbon-fiber and aluminum beadlock wheels.
The lightweight wheel package complemented the build’s performance-focused approach, while the STU paddles provided the traction needed for carving dunes and accelerating through soft sand.
TMW Offroad Cage, Doors and Accessories
TMW Offroad handled the accessory installation and wiring. The RZR received a TMW Venom cage and doors, along with a roof-mounted 30-inch Rigid Industries LED light bar and a 10-inch Rigid light installed in the grille.
Quick Light LED whips added visibility in the dunes, while Rigid dome lights illuminated the cabin. Inside, Triple X suede bucket seats embroidered with Wolf Designs logos were paired with Simpson harnesses and an Axia Alloys mirror.
The Goblin’s Custom Graphics
The powder-coated components were finished in a bright color known as Shocker Yellow, giving Wolf Designs a strong foundation for the graphics. The completed wrap blends yellow, blue and black with a sharp, angular pattern that matches the RZR’s body lines.
Although the colors are impossible to miss, the overall build remains cohesive. The wrap, cage, suspension and accessories work together instead of competing for attention. That balance is what separates the Goblin from builds assembled simply to display the longest possible list of parts.
Wolf Designs Goblin Photo Gallery
The Goblin was photographed in action during the 2015 UTV Invasion at the Idaho dunes.
Wolf Designs Goblin Build Specifications
- 2015 Polaris RZR XP 1000
- TMW Offroad Venom cage and doors
- Lonestar Racing MTS long-travel suspension
- Shock Therapy-tuned Walker Evans Racing shocks
- 30-inch Rigid Industries roof-mounted LED light bar
- 10-inch Rigid Industries SR-Series grille light
- Rigid Industries grille
- Rigid Industries dome lights
- Sand Tires Unlimited Blaster paddle tires
- HiPer Racing carbon-fiber beadlock wheels
- Triple X suede bucket seats with custom embroidery
- Simpson racing harnesses
- Quick Light LED whips
- Axia Alloys mirror
- Wolf Designs custom graphics and installation
A Purpose-Built Dune RZR
The Goblin was not created to be a trailer queen. Its Lonestar suspension, Shock Therapy tuning, paddle tires and lightweight beadlock wheels were chosen to make the RZR more capable in the dunes. TMW’s fabrication and accessory work completed the functional package, while Wolf Designs gave the machine an unmistakable identity.
The result is a clean example of an early RZR XP 1000 dune build: wider, longer, better controlled and visually distinctive without straying too far from the strengths of the original vehicle.
See more custom machines in the UTV of the Month Archive.
