Do you want to see if you have what it takes to go mudding? Before you can go on your first mudding adventure, you’ll need to prepare your ATV for it. Four-wheelers aren’t the cheapest vehicles so you should take some precautions to keep yours safe from all that mud you’ll be riding through. 

At Polaris® of Gainesville, we like to help our patrons keep their powersports vehicles in great shape. So we’ve compiled this guide to help you prepare your ATV for mudding. If you’re looking for ATVs for sale in Alachua, Florida, then visit our dealership for a complete tour of our inventory! 

Seal the Airbox

There are different ways to protect your ATV’s internal components (including the airbox) when mudding. One way to keep your airbox safe is to seal it carefully before you take it out. Make sure that there’s no space for anything to get inside and create problems. Check all of the joints, from the engine intake all the way up to the top of the airbox. The airbox should always have a lid on top without any holes in it. 

If you’re sure you’ll be mudding a lot or if you’ll be riding deep, you can look into snorkel kits for your ATV. These kits have extended CVT inlets, extended air intakes, and outlet exhausts, all of which work hard to ensure that important parts of your quad stay dry even if you’re drenched in mud. 

Relocate the Radiator

One element that you can’t ignore when prepping your ATV for the mud is the radiator. Usually, you’ll see a four-wheeler radiator mounted above the front rack. When you plan to venture into the mud, you need to relocate the radiator above and away from all the muddy water you’ll be taking it through. When you relocate the radiator, you can rest assured knowing your engine will continue running cool.

This will also be a good time to ensure that the radiator is as clean as possible. For example, you can modify the body or use tape to keep the moisture out. Don’t ignore this step because when a radiator gets clogged it will overheat. That means an end to your mudding days or time to get a new ATV. 

Install a Winch

Since winches are so useful for those who go off-road, you may already have one installed on your four-wheeler. If you still don’t have one, it’s time to look into winches and how they can work for your quad. When you go mudding, you can get stuck in short but deep pits; a winch will make getting out of these way easier. 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. After that, closely inspect the line to see if there’s any damage that needs to be fixed. Remember that you’ll need to apply pressure to the cable to spool the winch line back in. You might need somebody else to help you with this. If there’s no one around, you can hook the line around a firm and stable item to get the job done. 

Grease it Up

Your ATV has many electrical connections that keep it moving. When moisture (like with mud and water) gets in touch with these connections, it can cause great damage. Avoid this by applying a generous coat of dielectric grease. Simply unplug the connector, apply the grease and reconnect it. 

Since dielectric grease is pretty cheap, it won’t put a dent in your wallet to do this. It’s relatively easy to do it too, so there’s no excuse for not protecting your ATV’s electrical connections. If you want to go a step further, buy marine grade dielectric grease. It’s water-resistant and it’ll allow your bearings and pivot points to last a lot longer.  

You may already know that WD-40 is the best for lubricating moving parts, but it has other uses as well. It’ll stop the mud from sticking to parts and it can repel moisture from the small nooks and crannies in your four-wheeler.  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.

Once you’ve done the above, you’ll be ready to dominate the mud! If you still haven’t found the perfect quad, visit Polaris® of Gainesville in Alachua, Florida and we’ll show you what we have in stock. If you’re looking for ATVs for sale in Gainesville, Lake City and St. Augustine, get in touch with us today!