Prepare Your ATV for Mudding

If you’ve got mudding on your mind, it’s important to take a few extra steps in preparing your ATV for this type of riding. After all, your quad is probably one of your most prized possessions. You want to ensure that your machine is ready to take on mud before you head out to ride. Here at Advantage PowerSports, we’ve got the lowdown on how to properly prepare for mudding. Visit us at our Kansas City, Missouri, location today to learn more!

Seal the Airbox

There are many different techniques for protecting your ATV’s internal components, which includes the airbox. One option for ensuring your airbox is safe is to seal it before you go mudding. Check all of the joints, from the engine intake all the way up to the top of the airbox. You want to be absolutely sure that nothing can get inside and cause problems. The airbox should always have a lid on top without any holes in it.

Some riders will go as far as investing in a snorkel kit if they know they’re going to be riding deep. These tend to come with extended CVT inlets, extended air intakes, and outlet exhausts. These features ensure that all the key parts of your quad will stay dry.

Relocate the Radiator

Another critical component you’ll need to tend to is your radiator. Generally, an ATV radiator is mounted above the front rack. If you’re planning to go hard in the mud, you’ll want to relocate your radiator up and away from all the muddy water you’ll be riding through. When you relocate the radiator, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your engine will continue running cool.

You can still take extra precautions to keep your radiator as clean as possible. For example, you can use tape or modify the body in order to keep moisture out. This is important because a clogged radiator will cause your engine to overheat. Your mudding days will be short-lived if you don’t protect your radiator.

Install a Winch

Winches are an extremely useful tool, so you might already have one installed on your quad if you’re a frequent rider. If you don’t have a winch, it’s time to consider investing in one. It’s fairly common to get stuck when you’re mudding on your ATV and a trusty winch will prove helpful in pulling you out. Once you’ve got your winch, it’s time to prep it for the mud.

Start by putting your winch in free-spool and pull the entire line out. Next, carefully inspect the line for any damage that needs replacing. Remember that you’ll need to apply pressure to the cable to spool the winch line back in. This might require a second pair of hands. Otherwise, you can hook the line around an immovable object to get it done.

Grease it Up

Don’t forget that your ATV also has several electrical connections. When these connectors are going to be subjected to moisture, like water and mud, it’s a good idea to apply a substantial coat of dielectric grease. You can do this by unplugging the connector, adding the grease, then reconnecting. 

The good news is that dielectric grease is relatively cheap. This step isn’t too much of a hassle, either, and it’s going to protect those electrical connections that you need for your quad to run. Go a step further and be sure to buy marine grade dielectric grease. It’s water-resistant and it’ll allow your bearings and pivot points to last a lot longer.

Speaking of greasing, you may want to get yourself some WD-40, too. As you probably know, WD-40 is best for lubricating moving parts, but it has some other great uses as well. It helps prevent mud from sticking and it’ll also repel moisture from the nooks and crannies of your machine. You can spray certain areas of your ATV before you ride, like the throttle, hand grips, and brake levers. In addition to keeping the mud off these parts, this will also make your cleanup process much easier. 

You’re officially ready to hit the mud! If you’d like more information or want to check out our ATVs for sale, be sure to give us a call or stop by our Kansas City location today! Advantage PowerSports proudly serves the cities of Columbia and St. Joseph, Missouri.