New Ranger 800 XP

[NYBOB]

Bought a 2012 non-EPS 800 XP today. Will be delivered soon. I just couldn't justify the extra for EPS.

I will post pics when it gets here.

Thanks for everyones help with this process.

Bob

 

[WilliamBos]

Congrats! I often wonder if EPS is worth it?

 

[TCowner]

The 2009 and newer Rangers steer pretty well without EPS but I just had to have it when I got my Ranger HD in December 2008. You can live your life quite nicely without EPS but if you've ever had it I doubt you would ever go back.

The EPS was standard on the HD model so I don't know how much it actually adds to the cost. You can always add it later but the package runs around $1000 plus labor to install.

Sure, 90% of the time its not that big of a deal. But backing up a trailer of firewood into the garage is so much easier. Its a one handed task just back like backing up your pickup.

I'm sold on EPS. I drove a John Deere gator a few weeks ago and I liked it a lot. But it steered hard. Probably no worse than any other non EPS utv but its a sign of how much I would miss my power steering.

So for me, EPS is a must.

 

[NYBOB]

As promised....the granddaughter likes it.

 

[kf4uda]

We bought an 800xp non EPS last year. I use it on the farm and for hunting. I believe it is the handiest thing I have ever owned. I have not had any problems with it. I don't miss the EPS because I never had it or drove one that did. I think I will keep it that way so I don't get any urges. . Ours now has a roof,windshield,winch and front hitch on it.

The only regret I have is not getting the flip-out windshield instead of the fixed one because it gets a little hot in the summer. I am sure you will enjoy your new Ranger, ours gets used almost daily for something.

 

[sunnyside360]

Nice and congrats.......... now it's time to have some fun. The grand kids love to ride in our Ranger 800 XP.

 

[NYBOB]

Some observations from the weekend....

Got a chance to put about 4 hours on it....

The pros....

Rides great....absorbs the bumps like no other.

Filled it up and only 1 cell out of 8 on the fuel gauge. I believe its got to be near the 2nd cell showing empty...buy guess is it used about .5 gallon per hour.

4 wheel drive system worked flawlessly....went everywhere.


Cons....

Squeak in the suspension....I noticed it on all the Ranger 800s. The dealer said people complained about the grease fittings so Polaris removed them....not sure what they replaced them with, rubber grommets?

At low RPM there is a vibration noise in the box. I found it was the box by putting it in the up position and it went away.

A intermittent creak in the rear of the unit when take a slow but sharp corner.

I alerted the dealer and they said to bring it in and they will check it out. Just wondering if anyone here had experienced the same thing.

Thanks
Bob

 

[sunnyside360]

Some observations from the weekend....

Cons....

Squeak in the suspension....I noticed it on all the Ranger 800s. The dealer said people complained about the grease fittings so Polaris removed them....not sure what they replaced them with, rubber grommets?

At low RPM there is a vibration noise in the box. I found it was the box by putting it in the up position and it went away.

A intermittent creak in the rear of the unit when take a slow but sharp corner.

I alerted the dealer and they said to bring it in and they will check it out. Just wondering if anyone here had experienced the same thing.

Thanks
Bob

Squeaks in suspension -- go away with time and wear of parts.

Box noise -- is on all. Some from tail gate and some from box latch/frame. I haven't done anything to mitigate the bed noise. See Ranger Forum for what others have done http://www.prcforum.com/

Intermittent creak -- haven't experienced this.

 

[deerehunter/operator]

I run a bungee cord from stake pocket to stake pocket on mine and the squeek from the box goes away.

 

[schlem]

I've had them both ways. currently own 700HD with EPS. For my application and terrain i wouldn't be without it!

 

[creekbend]

Congratulations. :tractor:

 

[jcmseven]

Nice Ranger to be sure. The small creaks and issues you mention I had with my Ranger 800. The suspension creak went away at about 70 hours and did not return. The vibration of the cargo box stayed but became tolerable as I used the machine more. It looks like Polaris has changed the style of seat between your Ranger an my 800, but it looks sharp. As for EPS, I had it on my Ranger and loved it. However, unless one does a lot of low speed work in tight spaces or wants to use a snowplow, EPS likely is a luxury. With either of those applications (I had both) it is almost a necessity. If you decide to do power steering down the road, you may wish to check with UNISTEER to see if they have developed a kit for your application. I put that on my new 825I Gator when I bought it because I knew I would be unhappy with not having power steering on the Gator after having it on the Ranger. FWIW, it works as well as the Polaris system, but was not cheap at around $900-$1K installed. I had a first generation Unisteer kit on a prior Gator and it helped but was fairly abrupt and clunky. They have really improved the system in this iteration. That all said, in most circumstances you will not likely miss not having EPS and if you do not need it, that money can either be saved or can be put to another accessory or attachment. You have a beautiful machine and I know you will really like using it.

John M

 

[1bush2hog]

Congrats on the new Ranger!

You might want to check the tightness of the bolts that secure the metal plate that is on the front of the box. I tightened mine up and the vibration noise went away. Check the metal heat shield underneath also - it may need tightening as well

The suspension squeaks went away on mine after awhile, but shouldn't be there at all

I have been pleasantly surprised at what my Ranger can do and my wife loves it too, which is a huge plus

 

[Old Red]

I really like my 2010 Ranger HD. You will be happy with it. Very handy and fun to ride!

 

[NYBOB]

I think I isolated the vibration noise to the tailgate. Where the tailgate is connected to the box has play in it, thus when the machine vibrates it does. It needs to stay free to allow the gate to open and close but was wondering if I could put anything in there to take up the gap but still allow movement? I will try to post a picture on what I am talking about.

The only other issue I have is I get a clunking and or thumping noise coming out of the transmission area. They both mostly happen going down hill when I let off the gas. My dealer said it probably the CVT transmission making noise. He said they make noise naturally. I am going to try and isolate when exactly it happens. It is an intermittent noise.

I put on 8 hours since I have had it and used about 3.5 gallons of gas. It is fun to drive and my wife has not noticed that I have not done any work with it yet

Thanks
Bob