Warn Industries transformed a Can-Am Commander 1000 into a fully equipped adventure machine with long-travel suspension, extensive body protection, upgraded lighting and a custom cargo system.
UTV of the Month for July 2011
The Can-Am Commander 1000 was one of the most exciting new side-by-sides of its era. Its combination of V-twin power, recreational handling and useful cargo capacity also gave builders a versatile platform for creating everything from trail machines to fully customized show vehicles.
Gary Harris and Adam Pond of Warn Industries took that versatility to another level with this extensively modified Commander 1000. The project combined Warn’s winching, lighting and vehicle-protection products with long-travel suspension, performance upgrades and several custom-fabricated components.
The result was a distinctive Can-Am Commander built for nighttime trail rides, technical terrain and backcountry exploration.
Warn Lighting and Electrical Upgrades
Lighting was one of the major themes of this build. Warn equipped the Commander with an extensive collection of HID driving lights, upgraded headlights and rear-facing backup lights.
The custom roof rack provided a mounting point for the overhead light bar while adding useful cargo capacity. A dual-battery control system helped manage the additional electrical load created by the winch and lighting system.
- Warn WXT 400 HID lights
- Warn WXT 400 HID high- and low-beam headlight upgrade
- Warn WXT 200 HID lights
- Warn universal swivel light mounts for 1.5- and 2-inch tubing
- Warn universal fixed light mounts for 1.5- and 2-inch tubing
- Warn WXT 200-F backup lights
- Warn light bar
- Warn dual-battery control system
Winch and Body Protection
A Warn XT40 winch and UTV winch bumper gave the Commander additional recovery capability. Warn body armor was installed to help protect the machine when navigating rocks, brush and other trail obstacles.
The build also carried a Hi-Lift UTV jack secured with Hi-Lift Slide-N-Lock mounts, providing another recovery option when traveling away from pavement.
- Warn XT40 winch
- Warn UTV winch bumper
- Warn body armor
- Hi-Lift UTV jack
- Hi-Lift Slide-N-Lock mounts
Long-Travel Suspension and Tires
DragonFire Racing supplied a five-inch long-travel suspension system paired with FOX Racing Shox. The wider suspension increased the Commander’s footprint while giving it additional capability across rough terrain.
ITP BajaCross tires and ITP wheels completed the suspension package. Warn also fabricated a set of one-off beadlock rings specifically for the project.
- DragonFire Racing five-inch long-travel suspension
- FOX Racing Shox
- ITP BajaCross tires
- ITP wheels
- One-off Warn beadlock rings
Cage, Seats and Performance Upgrades
The stock cargo-bed area was replaced with a DragonFire Racing bed-delete cage, giving the Commander a lighter and more aggressive profile. PRP seats and DragonFire Racing harnesses improved occupant support and helped complete the custom interior.
Engine-related upgrades included a DragonFire Racing exhaust and fuel controller along with a K&N air filter.
- DragonFire Racing bed-delete cage
- PRP seats
- DragonFire Racing seat belts
- DragonFire Racing exhaust
- DragonFire Racing fuel controller
- K&N air filter
Custom Finish and Fabrication
Several one-off components helped separate this Commander from a typical bolt-on build. Warn fabricated the roof rack and beadlock rings, while regional specialists handled the paint, graphics and carbon-fiber finishes.
- One-off Warn roof rack
- Custom paint by Cole Mullins of Portland, Oregon
- Striping and graphics by Redmond Signs of Redmond, Oregon
- Carbon-fiber work by West Coast Performance Coatings of Clackamas, Oregon
Complete Build Specifications
- Can-Am Commander 1000
- Warn WXT 400 HID lights
- Warn WXT 400 HID high- and low-beam headlight upgrade
- Warn WXT 200 HID lights
- Warn universal swivel light mounts
- Warn universal fixed light mounts
- Warn WXT 200-F backup lights
- Warn light bar
- Warn XT40 winch
- Warn body armor
- Warn UTV winch bumper
- Warn dual-battery control system
- One-off Warn roof rack
- One-off Warn beadlock rings
- PRP seats
- DragonFire Racing bed-delete cage
- DragonFire Racing five-inch long-travel suspension
- DragonFire Racing exhaust
- DragonFire Racing fuel controller
- DragonFire Racing seat belts
- FOX Racing Shox
- ITP BajaCross tires
- ITP wheels
- Hi-Lift UTV jack
- Hi-Lift Slide-N-Lock mounts
- K&N air filter
Warn Can-Am Commander Photo Gallery
About Warn Industries
Warn Industries designs and manufactures off-road equipment and accessories for four-wheel-drive vehicles, ATVs and side-by-sides. Its product lines include vehicle-recovery winches, bumpers, mounting systems, lighting and other equipment intended for recreational, commercial and severe-duty applications.
Learn more at Warn Industries.
