When we accept free products I just don't like to post the company banner up, and just tell you please buy from them. When we receive a free product we put their product through the full test, and provide an in-depth explaination why you should buy their product. If we aren't happy with the product we will not feature their company.

We are happy to annouce Crutchfield Racing is offering Atv shocks, and steering stabilizers. Crutchfield Racing is based out of Georgia, and are well known and respected in the Dwarf Car Racing series. Team Crutchfield specializes in all types of racing products from building race performance motors, car frames, suspensions, and among other items. Team Crutchfield has now turn their winning spirit in providing affordable high performance shocks for your Atv. I am going to discuss what makes up these Crutchfield Shocks, and the benefits you will see from buying these shocks for your Atv.

So, what are shocks for, and why is it important to have a great set for your Atv? Shocks provide three things ride, handling, and control. Crutchfield Shocks use the proven technology, and patent performance of Bilstein Technology. Bilstein shocks are well known and respected through 40 years of proven performance in the automotive suspension industry. Bilstein shocks are known for providing unbelievable control, and stability. Precise handling. Ultimate performance. Incredible comfort.

Bilstein was the first to apply the patented gas pressure principle for controlling ride characteristics on automobiles, and introduced the world's first monotube gas pressure shock absorber. Today, Bilstein continues to be the leader in monotube gas pressure shock absorber technology. No other shock manufacturer has been able to equal the performance, and enhanced ride charateristics of Bilstein.

Now you know what Crutchfield uses for their base foundation of their shocks. Lets look at how Crutchfield has taken the Bilstein technology and translated it their line of shocks.

Outlander and Renegade Series of Shocks

Ed from Crutchfield didn't just copy or dream up these shocks. Ed purchased a 07 Outlander MAX 800EFI and quickly realized how poor the stock shocks were. Ed knows from first had experience what type of shocks were needed.

Ed's Outlander Max

The above picture shows the difference between the stock springs and Crutchfield Springs

Any Outlander owner will realize how inadquate the stock shocks are. If there was one machine that needed upgraded shocks the Outlander is definitely one of them. Can Am claimed 12" of ground clearance, but as we all know its more like 9.5" to 10.5" and that is due to saggy shocks. We also know the Outlander has severe body roll when going hard into the corners, and that is solely due too soft saggy shocks. Many people also experience their machines bottoming out on when going over rough terrain. Bottom line is you could not ride the Outlander aggessively without having performance issues.

If any of you guys were like me and purchased an early 06' Outlander model the stock shocks actually were sagging and compressed right on the show room floor. Even the 07' and 08' Outlander Max and Non-Max models have inadquate shocks in my opinion. With such a high performance machine, it would be nice to have a suspension to match it.

I am going to talk about the advantages/improvements you will see on your Outlander when you purchase a set of these Crutchfield Shocks.

Installing the shocks I started with installing the rear springs first. NOTE; YOU MUST REMOVE BOTH STOCK SPRINGS FIRST SO THE TTI ARMS CAN DROP AT THE SAME TIME. It is very easy to install these shocks just remove the stock shocks, and install the new ones. There isn't really much to say. I did not document installing the front shocks since they were super easy to do, and doesn't require alot of info. If there is anything that is tricky its installing the rear shocks, and you just have to remember to remove both stock shocks at the same time.

I am running Stage One Shocks single 14" Spring. In the front I am running Stage Two Shocks with 2 Springs. Both shocks are gas charged

Ground Clearance; No doubt the single biggest improvement you will notice immediately is that your ground clearance is nearly where it should be. I run two set of tires depending on what my riding style will be for the day. I run 25" ITP Holeshot Atrs for fast pace aggressive trail riding, where performance is the most important. I run 27/28" ( I wrote 27/28" because if you air the Bighorns up too 10psi or more you actually get another 1" out of the tire, and that applies to all Maxxis Bighorns, but they are actually 27" Bighorns) Maxxis Bighorns when I am going to do moderate mud riding, rock crawling, or any time type of difficult riding.

These are 27/28" Bighorns, and the front GC is 10 1/2" and the rear GC is 12 3/4" This is with the stock shocks.

These are 27/28" Bighorns depending on the PSI

These two pictures show you the difference in the front GC when the stock shocks have a load on them, and when you lift the front end up. The picture to the above left shows 10 1/2" with load, and to the right it shows 12" when lifted up

There is nearly 12 3/4" of GC in the rear

These are 27/28" Bighorns, and the front GC is 14 3/4" and the rear GC is 12 3/4" This is with Crutchfield Shocks.

There is 12 3/4" of GC in the rear

There is 14 3/4" of GC in the front

These are 25" Holeshot Atr, and the front GC is 9 3/4", and the rear GC is 10 1/2" This is with Stock Shocks.

These are 25" Holeshot ATR

These two pictures show you the difference in the front GC when the shocks have a load on them, and when you lift the front end up. The picture to the above left shows 9 3/4" with load, and to the right it shows 10 1/2" when lifted up

There is 11 1/2" of GC in the rear

These are 25" Holeshot Atr, and the front GC is 11", and the rear GC is 11 1/4" This is with Crutchfield Shocks

There is 11" of GC in the front

There is 11 1/4" of GC in the rear

So what are the final gains? It is impressive!!!

Stock Shocks with 25" Holeshot ATR Front = 9 3/4" Rear = 10 1/2" Crutchfield Stage 1 and Stage 2 Shocks with 25" Holeshot ATR Front = 11" Rear = 11 1/4" Stock Shocks with 27/28" Bighorns Front = 10 1/2" Rear = 11 1/2" Crutchfield Stage 1 and Stage 2 Shocks with 27/28" Bighorns Front = 14 3/4" Rear = 12 3/4"

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