We’ve had our fully sealed cab Can-Am Defender MAX HD10 Limited for over two years now, and couldn’t be more in love with this utility and expedition-style UTV.

Over the last 2+ years, our 2020 Can-Am Defender MAX Limited Edition HD10 has been used nearly every single day. On the regular, this trail rig is actually used to run mail into town to the local post office. However, that’s not what this machine was built for. We built this machine to be an extremely functional and multi-purpose vehicle that can tackle a wide variety of tasks ranging from being a mail runner, to a night-ride trail lead, to a media support and chase vehicle, and a rig to load everyone up in and just go have fun in after work. Because of the variety of uses that we had for this machine, we knew we needed quality components on it and a particular style to make sure that it was equipped for all scenarios.

Outside KC Headquarters in Williams, AZ
Can-Am Defender at night

BUILD SPECS

Before we dive too deep into how our utility SXS performs on the trail, let’s take a quick look at its specs and how we modified it to be a bit more trail-worthy.

  • YMM: 2020 Can-Am Defender Max Limited HD10

  • Factory Features

    • Fully Enclosed Cab for all-weather protection
    • Air Conditioning & Heater
    • Power front windows
    • 4x4 w/ Lockers
    • Flip-up Windshield w/ Electronic Wipers
    • Front bumper with Warn Winch
    • Dump Bed to Load Gear & Supplies

  • Suspension

    • Zbroz Racing - Can-Am Defender EXIT Shocks 2.2” X1 Series w/ Remote Reservoirs (front and rear)
    • HCR Racing - Can-Am Defender High Clearance Control Arm Kit (front and rear)

  • Tires and Wheels

    • Fuel UTV Wheels - Maverick Beadlock - 14x7 +38
    • EFX Tires - Motovator - 32x9.5R14

  • Lighting

  • Bed Rack & Accessories

    • Utility Cargo Rack from Razorback Offroad
    • Spare Tire Mount from Razorback Offroad
    • Rotopax 2 Gal Fuel Can & RBO Mount
    • Chainsaw Mount from Razorback Offroad
    • Maxtrax Minis - Orange

  • Electronics

    • Switch-Pros SP-9100 Switch Panel Power System
    • Stinger Off-Road Powersports Weatherproof Multimedia Player
    • Stinger Off-Road 6.5” Coaxial Off-Road Speakers (w/ RGB Lighting)
    • Rugged Radios GMRS Dash kit
    • XTC Power Products Self-Canceling Turn Signal System with Horn

  • Exterior

    • Multicam Black wrap with classic KC Yellow accents
    • Assault Industries Explorer Series UTV Side Mirrors

WHAT WE LOVE

Suspension and Handling

Defender Suspension System

For this UTV being much more of a “utility” style of vehicle, it sure is a hell of a lot more capable than most people would give it credit for. It certainly isn’t very fast, we’ll give you that. But it can rock crawl like no one’s business for a tall, heavy UTV on 32s. Plus, for much less travel than a machine like an X3 or a RZR Turbo S, it still can go plenty quick through rougher terrain in the desert. Granted, the suspension we put on the Defender helped immensely with that. The Zbroz coilovers gave us about 2” of increased ground clearance as well as a more comfortable, confidence-inspiring ride. When we paired those with HCR’s bulletproof A-Arm kit that pushes the front wheels 2.5” forward as well as gives some further increased ground clearance, it totally changed the suspension game on our Can-Am Defender.

Defender Bedrack System

Utility Bedrack System

Having the functionality of it being able to use our Defender to pick up trash with the built-in dump bed, clear trees on the property with the chainsaw mount, or store pelican cases for media runs on top of the bedrack really makes this machine the versatile tool that we need it to be. Combine all of that with the plethora of mounting options for various accessories (lights, traction devices, etc), and this is one of our favorite parts of the build simply because of how much extra functionality it provided us.


WHERE IT’S BEEN

Defender Rear View at Night

One of the most fun trips that we have taken our Defender on was to one of the epicenters of Ultra 4 Racing - Johnson Valley, CA. We joined KC Family member Jason Coleman in his Trophy Truck as he did a day of testing before King of the Hammers. We trucked around the entire desert from the sand to the rocks, to the dry lakebeds filming Jason and this Can-Am Defender handled it all like a champ. As the sun dropped and it got chilly out, having the heater inside was a huge benefit.

Aside from that trip, this rig has been used all over Arizona for both fun and for work. From trekking through the mud during heavy monsoons in Tucson to leading the 4th of July Parade in Williams to hosting night rides during the UTV Rally in Mormon Lake, this thing has done it all!