​How To Install A Polaris RZR Heater

The seemingly simple and straightforward question of how to install a Polaris RZR heater is actually more complicated than it seems at first. For one, it depends on the heater brand and heater type you’ve chosen. And second of all, it also depends on your machine’s model year, edition, and trim style. But don’t worry, because here are the easiest ways to install a heater in the Polaris RZR!

Direct Hook-Up Polaris RZR Heaters

If you haven’t already purchased a cab heater for your RZR, RZR Turbo, or RZR Pro, one of the simplest heater types to install are 12V electric heaters. These heaters are typically powered via 10-gauge cords that plug directly into the vehicle’s 12V “cigarette lighter” outlet. The off-road firm Road Pro makes a decent in-cab heater for the Polaris RZR which pulls 180 Watts and draws 15 Amps of current to produce heat. Because 12V UTV heaters rely on battery power to function, they can still work when the machine is off. But because battery power is limited – especially if you’re concurrently running lights and sound systems – users of 12V heaters often install a secondary battery.

In-Dash And Under-Dash Polaris RZR Heaters

How To Install A SuperATV Heater In The Polaris RZR

The off-road conglomerate SuperATV makes a side-by-side cab heater that is relatively easy to install, provided that you have the right heater for your specific RZR model year. The included instructions are self explanatory for the most part, but you might find that things don’t quite line up properly after drilling the holes for the radiator hoses.

Most heater kits come with paper templates that you can hold up before any modifications are made to ensure that everything will line up correctly. However these can be slightly off when using older heaters on newer machines. If alignment issues do arise, you can either bend the hoses to fit, or drill new holes and plug the old ones with solid grommets.

A different way to install a SuperATV heater in the Polaris RZR is to get a 20ft length of ⅝” heater hose – as the ones provided in the SATV kit are too short for this configuration – and then run it to the oil cooler. Find the hose that comes out of your thermostat and goes to the oil cooler, and then either replace it or splice into it with your new heater hose. Run a hose from the end of the thermostat to the heater under the center, and then run another hose from the heater back to the oil cooler. Not only will this heat the cab, but it’ll also help cool the oil cooler.

One drawback to this method is that it’s typically done in conjunction with the removal of the mixer valve so that the oil cooler is never cut off. In this way, however, it's not possible to bypass the heater, which makes the cabin extremely hot during the summer.

How To Install An Inferno Heater In The Polaris RZR

If you’ve got a Polaris RZR 900, the space between the rear firewall and the engine is extremely tight, which makes installing the Inferno Cab Heater a bit tricky. But like with the SuperATV heater, you’ll have to tap into the vehicle’s oil cooler line with a t-valve to pull the coolant which powers the Inferno heater core. This ¼ turn valve can be opened in the winter, then closed during the summer so that you don’t roast while riding.

With regards to the RZR XP Turbo, the template to drill holes in the firewall are incorrect. Accordingly, we suggest drilling the bottom holes using the template, but not the top holes – as this will have you drilling right through the radiator overflow tank. Similarly, the template for cutting the hole in the top of the dash for the defroster vent is too big, so keep that in mind during the install process. Here is a good video walkthrough on how to install an inferno cab heater in the Polaris RZR if you need some visuals!

How To Install An Ice Crusher Heater In The Polaris RZR

Ice Crusher heaters are arguably the best aftermarket UTV heating systems on the market. Unlike most other heaters, Ice Crusher heaters have variable speed and temperature settings. Plus, instead of using self-tapping screws for mounting, Ice Crusher heaters bolt directly onto the vehicle.

When comparing RZR heaters, you might notice that the Ice Crusher produces almost 4,000 BTUs less than the Inferno Heater. However the BTU output is measured by the coolant temperature, which is a direct function of the engine temperature. If your motor runs hot, so too will your heater. But if your engine is running on the colder side, your heater will produce colder air. Also, because Ice Crusher heaters come with inline thermostats, they’re able to warm up quicker due to the lower viscosity of antifreeze / coolant compared to motor oil. See the following link for a detailed walkthrough on how to install an Ice Crusher Heater in the Polaris RZR!

Tips And Tricks Regarding Polaris RZR Heater Installation

If your heater is blowing luke-warm air, you might need a new / replacement heater core. Ice Crusher heaters, for example, use copper cores. However aluminum dissipates heat five times better than copper, so upgrading to an aluminum core is always an option.

Swapping out those cheap y connectors that come in Polaris RZR heater kits can also be a worthwhile endeavor. Barbed y connectors will prevent leaks far better than the standard y connectors -- even those that are double banded.

As far as cutting out holes for vents, a 2-46/82” punch bit on a big Millwakie drill works well, but you could also drill a couple holes and then use a small cordless jigsaw with a fine tooth blade for a near-perfect outcome!

And there it is. Hopefully you now know how to install a Polaris RZR heater. And to find the right heater for your needs, your environment, and your specific model year, we've got all the bases covered at Everything Polaris RZR!