06/19/2025
Long time customer and friend Dan took off this past weekend with the first production version of our Rock crawling Rear steer Rzr based chassis. I think we are going to dub this chassis the Spider Monkey. Those that know the OG spider monkey as my orignal 900xp based crawler has traveled the country and been an absolute legend in the rocks. It makes things so easy, a complete rookie can tackle the hardest trails anywhere it goes. These new machines are the first cars that I’m confident are more capable and will carry on its legacy.
The Spider Monkey chassis is what we consider the ultimate Utv crawler/trail machine. It’s setup for unparalleled visibility, comfort, durability, and CG. With a near 50/50 weight bias front to rear and a low 2600lbs total weight it does very silly things with the 39” MRT tires. Speaking of which, the choice or parts is what makes all the difference with this build. Our entire suspension,along with front and rear steering, coupled to 6” 60% GDP portals, and MRT 39” tires is the ultimate setup! Gone are the days of breaking axles, front diffs,drive shafts, and transmissions. All the failure points have been eliminated. The chassis is built around these components coupled to your choice of Rzr turbo/1k power plant, we highly recommend the 22+ Pro XP as a donor and that is what is used for this build.
The details are: 114” wb, 85” wide, 19” belly height. Chassis width at A =50 at B =56 chassis height is just under 50” skid plate to peak of roof.
The lower chassis is built from 1.75” x.188 wall DOM coupling our front and rear bulkheads together with a modest 6” boat side and tapered belly pan. The rock rails being under 50” wide. It’s clad with custom Cnc routed and bent 1/2” uhmw skids. The skids are strategically mounted to mostly corner gussets flush with the lower tubes using standard hat washers and 1/4-20 hardware. This makes sure the skids can be quickly removed and installed for cleaning over several seasons of abuse. They are even easier to replace when they get worn out down the road.
The chassis is built with a 9.5 gallon steel fuel tank that’s lined and setup forward and centered for weight with a group 35 battery right behind it under the center console. The front of the chassis is built around a full size comp/narrow drum winch such as the warn RC 9.0 or the SATV 12k two speed winch. The solenoid mounts above the drum and nestles right between shocks. The shock mounts are all integrated into the tube work for precise location and minimal visibility impact.
The bay between the seats and the engine house all the mechanicals such as the rear steer valve, harness, coolant pump, coolant tanks, rear fuse block, voltage regulators, steering filter, starter solenoid the radiator and our custom mid ship exhaust. Moving the muffler in front of the engine allows for us to package a nice fairly quiet exhaust package that is not only compact and well protected but also further away from the shock and intake/intercooler. With the proper panels,heat shielding, and airflow of the fan + clutch exhaust we have no cab heat issues. The panel above the bay closes out the harness bar to the airbox to make sure the airbox is isolated from heat.
Behind the airbox in the bed is the prefilter assembly which means almost never having to replace the paper air filter. Just rinse the pre-filter out with water and reinstall dry. Its closeout panel has a nice shelf with tie downs to pair with the Rad Rails tie down system around the bed. The bed is large enough to support a pack out system and behind the bed we have a Milwaukee pack-out cooler rack which covers the rear steer self center assembly.
Creature comforts like heated PRP low backs with adjustable head rest. Tilt column, suede steering wheel, and Sweet Mfg quick release keep you connected. The factory display is up top of the console with a stand alone fuel pressure, oil pressure, and fuel level (needed for accuracy with our tall narrow tank). Can’t forget the cue ball shifter and cup holders!
These chassis set a new standard for capabilities in a Utv platform. This is a full size buggy that’s lighter than most other UTVs build this size. Front and rear one finger steering for ultimate control. Paired parts you that you can abuse regularly with confidence. All this in a chassis that’s built to keep you safe and last a long time.
