Mark in Colorado

I bought a spare (+ the requisite tools for belt change) and keep them handy, but don’t think I’ll need them for some years to come. I’m in low range a lot (snow plowing) and that’ll make a belt last and last. - Mark

If you’re ever on Isla Holbox, Quintana Roo, Mexico, you’ll be happy to know that the “official vehicles” (because they don’t allow regular cars) are the gas powered Bad Boy Buggy and non other than the Can-Am Defender Max! They’re everywhere, and in all states of disrepair - broken axles and tie rods, broken A-arms, smashed frames, rusty… the roads on the island are quite rough and put these machines to the test as they are used for taxis, and family cars all day long, every day. By comparison, mine is a garage queen. The thing we all immediately noticed about these Can-Am‘s Is that they are so much quieter than ours. How is that? They run HD8 mostly, but there are a smattering of HD10 and HD5 machines. Seems like when they break badly enough, they’re left on the side of the road to get pilfered for spares. It’s the most Can-Am Defenders I’ve ever seen in one place. -Mark

Steelslinger, I know what you mean about burning switch slots… I already had a plow joystick in the spot you refer to. - Mark

Found this on Amazon for $18. Looks good, works well, and you can watch voltage levels go up and down as you start the rig and then use things like lights, snow plow, heater…. Easy wire-in: slide the heater out (3 screws and 4 nuts) then wired it directly up to the termination block under the dash to posts 1 and 3 (the “key on” power set up). - Mark

Pretty awesome! - Mark

Sylvania branded, 5-pot LED’s from a local parts store. They fold down. Wired to the power block in the top. - Mark

KC Cyclones. Widely available and very bright! -Mark

Part of the problem with plowing using a Defender is that your headlights become obstructed when you raise the plow. I didn’t want a light bar. These little square 5 pot LEDs ought to do the trick. - Mark

I’ve seen a bolt-in UTV bed seat (bench, seats 2) at Bass Pro / Cabelas that I was tempted by. If I recall correctly, it was $349. Not super substantial, but had a metal frame and seat/seat back pads.

2019 HD10 XTCab - great seats. Better than my old 2011 Polaris 800 Crew. -Mark

It’s a decent machine, but I’m pretty turned-off with Can Am / BRP service too. At least get on the phone and fight with me like Polaris did! That, and we lost our dealership in nearby Colorado Springs - yes, the second-largest city in the state that they say will be larger than Denver one day… no dealership. They apparently got in a fight with the new owners and pulled out. I’m sticking with my machine for now. As you all know by now I use mine exclusively for snow plowing and moving wood in the summertime. I can live with a faulty window switch or squeaky/rattly suspension, but at the first sign of drivetrain or electronic issues I am going to own a new Northstar, plain and simple. I have the cash, and serviceability and reliability are simply not things I can screw around with. Too much at stake up here in the woods. -Mark

My dealership in Colorado Springs closed down. Nearest is over 50 miles away now. Not hauling the pig that far for a flippin switch. So, you win can Am…. I’ll replace it myself. Again.

I’ve had both too. Went from a Polaris 800 Crew to a Can-Am XT Cab (HD10). Can Am service and warranty sucks, and the window switches are junk, but overall it is a better machine than the Polaris. I work my machines, so I get things to break and it’s perfectly OK - I expect it. Prices are identical. We lost our Can Am dealership in Colorado Springs so now I have to go to Denver for parts. I liked the Polaris 4x4 and Lockers on the fly (full stop only for Can Am) but the Can Am appears to be a more robust machine. The Can Am viscous couple front axle - even without lockers - is FAR superior. Good luck! -Mark

A hunt 2 remember - did you replace both front axles with Gorillas? Or, just the one? Also, did you go with rear as well? About $750? I’m very careful with mine, but crawling around under there to grease it last week I thought they looked weak for the type of terrain I operate in. May preemptively do this. Install yourself? thanks, - Mark PS - I rarely use my lockers, but I’d change them if the upgrade allowed “activation on the fly”.

Can Am Super Duty, 72”.

Look no farther than the Can Am Super Duty Plow. It’s the only one they make that isn’t really a “driveway toy”. You can actually use it, and use it hard on multiple surfaces. Mine has a 72” blade, Hydraulic angling, winch lift (I use a SuperWinch 4000 + a fairlead upgrade) and easy cab joystick control. Parts at your dealership, or on-line. I run Can Am chains on the rear tires as well. About $1800 installed. Get a light bar if you’re running at night, and if you don’t have wiper/defroster, that’s also a good idea. Good luck. - Mark

Great looking rig! And, if it ever snows there (!) you’ll be just fine, trust me! - Mark

I’d almost say to go stock. I know it’s pricey, but the Can Am flip-out hardened glass and wiper (a-la XT Cab) is superior to anything else I’ve seen out there. And it all works well and doesn’t look cobbled-together. - Mark

Hey - I’ll be straight with you here: I bought my machine exclusively for snow plowing and was super-stoked about the wiper / washer feature on my 2019 XT Cab. While I use the wiper all the time (weekly, sometimes daily) I’ve used the washer precisely ZERO. I filled it with blue fluid in October 2019 and it’s been in there since, untouched. I find that the defroster handles our weather just fine. I’d say drain it, unless you’re mudding or rallying on long dirt roads or something. I’ve tested it and it works well, just don’t need it putting around in Low Range with a plow. - Mark

I don’t think the topic has come up on this forum much, but it ought to be OK as long as you have enough lug stud left for at least 7 turns (some say 10). I run them on an old sports car, but not my Can Am. - Mark

Awesome!

Super good looking rig. Perfect for mudding and hog hunting. Lived in Tarrant County in a different lifetime So I GET this purchase..! Excited to see how you deck it out. Welcome to the addiction! -Mark

I went with the XT Cab in 2019 and (apart from a batch of bad window switches) have been VERY pleased with them. -10F and as cozy as can be. The Can Am heater will burn you out of the vehicle if you turn the knob anywhere right of the lowest fan setting. Good stuff if you bundle it all in a new rig. I plow - so doors, heat, defrost are a must. -Mark