When it comes to pushing your UTV to its full potential, suspension upgrades are one of the best investments you can make. Whether you’re tackling rocky trails, desert whoops, or muddy backroads, the stock suspension can only take you so far before you start feeling the limits—from bucking and bottoming out, to excessive body roll and loss of ground clearance.
Upgrading key suspension components not only improves comfort but also enhances stability, control, and overall performance. But with so many different suspension upgrades on the market, it can be overwhelming to know where to start—especially if you’re new to UTVs or have never modified your stock setup before.
The good news? You don’t need to be a suspension expert to make the right choice –– we’re here to demystify the process and break down the best suspension upgrades for stock UTV owners.
With the right upgrades, you can dramatically improve your ride quality, protect vital components, and take your driving experience to the next level.
Dual Rate Spring Kit
Upgrading to a Dual-Rate Spring Kit is arguably the single best starting point when upgrading your suspension set up. From our own experience testing in the field, and from the satisfied testimonials of our customers, a Shock Therapy Dual-Rate Spring Kit above all provides the most dramatic suspension improvement to a stock UTV.
Benefits Over Stock
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Increase ride height
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Increased bottom out resistance
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Reduced bucking
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Smoother ride quality over chop and chatter
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No Sagging
Benefits of Shock Therapy’s DRS over Aftermarket Competitors
Shock Therapy’s Dual-Rate Spring Kits come custom tailored to your unit’s specifications –– taking into account driver weight, accessories, terrain, driving style & more. Likewise, when choosing Shock Therapy for your aftermarket spring kit upgrade, the benefits include:
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Custom tailored to you & your machine
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Lifetime warranty on springs
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Springs manufactured in the USA
Limit Straps
Especially as one upgrades to bigger tires and wheels on their rig, the ‘clunking’ sound of the shocks dropping out and hanging on the shock internals is probably a familiar one. Originally tuned for the factory wheel and tire settings, the internal system is not sufficient to arrest extension with heavier aftermarket upgrades –– leading to the characteristic metal-on-metal sound –– and making Limit Straps a must-have. Since the issue is more pronounced on the front end of the vehicle, we recommend owner’s of stock UTV’s to begin with front limit straps before adding rear limit straps.
Benefits Over Stock
Limit straps do not come stock on any mass production UTV; likewise, adding them can bring major benefits to your UTV’s suspension.
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Stop Clunk – Prevents the metal-on-metal impact when shocks fully extend, eliminating that annoying sound.
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Save the Shock – Over time, excessive clunking leads to critical shock failure, causing the piston assembly to shear off and the entire shaft to pop out.
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Save CVs – Stops the system from overextending past the maximum CV angle, reducing wear and potential failure of the joint.
Benefits of Shock Therapy’s Limit Straps over Aftermarket Competitors
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Adjustable to Account for Stretch – Shock Therapy makes the only fully adjustable limit strap at the shock body mount, allowing for easy tuning as straps naturally stretch over time.
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Bolt-On Installation – Our patented billet aluminum upper clamp attaches to the shock body without welding, and is ‘clock-able’ to clear body panels, radiator hoses, and other components.
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Minimizes Leverage – Unlike other designs that mount to the frame, Shock Therapy’s limit straps stay parallel with the shock, reducing leverage and increasing strap life.
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Prevents Strap Interference – Our patented extension tether design keeps the slack of the limit strap in place, preventing it from getting caught on sway bar links, brake lines, or other components.
Sway Bars & Links
Stock sway bars and links are typically made from weak stamped steel or thin aluminum, meaning they flex under hard cornering or aggressive driving. If you like to push your UTV in turns or ride at high speeds, an upgraded sway bar and links are a must-have to keep the body roll in check.
Benefits Over Stock
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Eliminates Flex – Stock links can bend or break under pressure, causing unpredictable handling. Moreover, some factory links use a rubber bushing on the top and bottom, which adds body roll because the rubber flexes before the sway bar fully engages. On early Polaris XP models, for example, swapping to a solid link (like Shock Therapy’s) eliminates that extra movement and improves handling.
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Improves Handling – Reduces body roll and improves cornering stability to keep your UTV planted –– preventing excessive leaning in corners.
Benefits of Shock Therapy’s Sway Bars & Links over Aftermarket Competitors
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Heavy-Duty & Durable
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Links: Built from high-quality billet aluminum with heavy-duty heim joints for longevity, and featuring the largest sway bar link rod ends on the market.
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Bar: Unlike other aftermarket sway bars with hollow construction and splined arms that can strip over time, Shock Therapy’s bars are a solid, one-piece construction to eliminate failure points.
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Adjustable
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Links: The threaded rod end allows for variable length
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Bar: Multiple mounting holes provide for different stiffness settings to match the terrain and driving style
Want to Go Even Further? Here’s What’s Next
If you’re looking to completely transform your suspension, here are a few more upgrades to take your UTV to the next level:
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Ride Improvement System (RIS) Custom Shock Valving – Fine-tune your shocks to match your terrain and driving style.
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Radius Rods – Stronger and more durable than stock, essential for high-speed and rough terrain.
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Tie Rods + Bump Steer Delete – Reduces bump steer and strengthens your front end for more precise handling.
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Steering Racks – Improves steering feel and eliminates play in the system.
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Shock Rebuilds & Maintenance – Extend the life of your shocks with regular servicing.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading your UTV’s suspension isn’t just about comfort—it’s about performance, reliability, and getting the most out of your machine. If you want to improve ride quality, increase durability, and enhance control of your stock UTV, these upgrades are the perfect place to start.
Ready to transform your ride? Check out our full collection of suspension upgrades at ShockTherapy.com or give us a call at 623-217-4959 for personalized recommendations.
Let’s take your UTV to the next level!