​Polaris RZR Budget Builds: How To Find Cheap RZR Parts & Accessories

The sad-but-true fact of life is that off-roading is an expensive pastime. It ranks high on the list of high-priced forms of entertainment, and aside from yachting or exotic car collecting, owning a UTV like the Polaris RZR is about as costly as hobbies come. Granted, the cost is definitely warranted. How else could you experience adrenaline rushes, breathtaking natural beauty, and isolated escapism in a single, family-friendly package? Plus, if you can put your Razor to work in other ways on the farm, around the homestead, or at the hunting lease, it becomes a little easier to justify those high costs. Still though, for the everyday working man / woman who makes an honest living, the expenses associated with side-by-side ownership can be hard to stomach.

But don’t fret, because there are several ways to save when it comes to owning a Polaris RZR. And although the cheapest option is to avoid off-roading altogether, is that really a path you want to walk down? Probably not. So if you’re on a budget and looking to buy, use, repair, or upgrade a Polaris RZR, here are some tips and tricks to cheaply build your buggy and find inexpensive Polaris RZR parts / accessories!

Start With The Right RZR Model For The Applications At Hand

Some introspection and a bit of forethought will go a long way when conducting an RZR, RZR4, or RZR. Turbo budget build. Instead of opting for an RZR 800 or 900 and then upgrading it to suit your needs, it might be cheaper to get an RZR 1000 from the start – which is faster, more capable, and rides better. To maximize your budget, you should think hard about where you’ll ride, how you’ll ride, and why you’ll ride. If it’s power you’re after, the 55hp 800 RZR is child’s play compared to the 110hp RZR 1000 -- or even the 75hp RZR 900. That being said, however, if you find a good deal on an RZR 900, an inexpensive tune can bump up the power output to 88hp and override the factory power management system.

In a lot of cases, the 900cc and 800cc RZR models are plenty powerful, but they’re lacking in other areas – suspension and wheelbase size in particular. The RZR 1000 is significantly more stable than its smaller-size counterparts, and the trailing arm suspension on the RZR 1000 XP might be worth it if you’re after a smooth / plush ride. Similarly, ground clearance is also important for those who ride in deep mud or over rocky trails. While you might be able to traverse rough terrain with a better line, the increased ground clearance in the RZR 1000 XP makes bombing through technical terrain a much easier feat to accomplish. Compare the factory ground clearance in the RZR 1000 with the price of an RZR 900 / 800 lift kit, and you'll find that one option is cheaper than the other depending on the lift style you desire.

To Buy New Or To Buy Used?

Because they’re in such high demand, finding a good deal on a Polaris RZR can be tough. Buying a used machine is generally a good idea for budget-conscious riders, but you should feel comfortable diagnosing the vehicle before potentially buying a Razor with missing / loose bolts, tools in the belt housing, and aftermarket parts that have been improperly installed. The “cheapest” option isn’t always the best value, and neither is a high-quality machine with a huge markup.

With regards to Polaris RZR dealerships, not all are equivalent. Aside from the features and sticker price of the UTV in question, the services a dealer is willing to provide after a sale can go a long way. You can sometimes get dealers to throw in free oil, fluid, and filter changes. And if you’re not the kind of person who turns their own wrenches, going with a dealer located close to where you live is probably a good idea, even if they’re asking a few hundred bucks more for a nearly-identical machine. And whether you’re buying from a dealer or an individual, knowing how to haggle is always a plus!

Replace Components, Not Parts

There are some parts in the RZR that must be completely replaced after failures occur. Other parts, however, can be made right again by replacing a constituent component or two. Instead of upgrading the whole driveline, for example, you might only need a new front yoke to make your prop shaft right as rain again. And instead of replacing your whole carrier bearing assembly, you might be able to replace the bearing alone if the rubber seals in the unit are still good.

Be it a rebuild kit for a front differential on your RZR 900, or a primary clutch rebuild kit for your RZR XP Turbo, there are several systems within the Razor that can be restored instead of replaced. So rather than getting new brake calipers, why not pick up a front brake caliper rebuild kit by Quad Logic? Or instead of upgrading your rig’s radius arms, why not get a radius rod rebuild package by ZRP Products? With all sorts of rebuild kits and replacement components available for the Polaris RZR lineup, you should never have to throw the baby out with the bathwater!

Go Cheap On Axles

Breaking an axle on the trail is never fun. But what’s worse – and more expensive – is breaking your transmission or a differential. As such, it’s a smart idea to have a fusible link / “circuit breaker” in the driveline that’ll take the fall when things get gnarly. After all, axles are relatively inexpensive and easy to fix, whereas diffs and gearboxes are not. This isn’t to say, however, that you should stick to stock. Rather, we'd suggest finding an axle somewhere in the middle, on that is stronger than stock, but not too strong as to transfer forces along to the other elements of your rig's driveline.

Keep Up On Maintenance

Most riders are aware of the RZR oil change schedule, and swapping out air filters as well as oil filters is pretty commonsensical as well. Less experienced riders might not know that the diff and transmission fluid needs replaced from time to time, and fewer still are aware of all the grease points that should be checked and re-packed periodically.

Re-greasing the wheel bearings, for instance, will keep them from wearing out prematurely, but there are several other grease fittings on the Razor that shouldn’t be ignored. On the RZR 1000 Turbo, you’ve got three grease points on the front a-arms, one on each of the front sway bars, two on the front driveshaft (with one being just behind the carrier bearing under the center console), two on the rear stabilizer, and one in each of the bushings on the rear sway bars. Keep these packed, and you’ll save untold amounts of money by not having to buy replacement parts every few seasons!

By keeping up with the requisite upkeep, replacing components instead of entire assemblies, and purchasing the right rig at a good price from the get-go, you’ll have plenty of extra cash to spend on the “non-essential” accessories that are great to have, but not 100% compulsory. And by shopping at Everything Polaris RZR, you’ll be able to save even more on everything from replacement parts to aftermarket accessories!