Pure Performance specializes in late model pickup and SUV suspension systems. However the people who run Pure Performance also enjoy riding side-by-sides in their home state of New York. As such, they developed an entry level suspension system that met the needs of a majority of Rhino owners everywhere. At 3 inches wider per side the Trail Runner mid-travel kit adds significant stability to the nimble Rhino chassis, yet still allows owners the ability to haul the rig around in a full-size long bed pickup with the tailgate down. A favorable 2-inch increase in wheelbase is included with this system, giving Rhino owners that little extra advantage for climbing hills. The completely bolt-on kit provides height increases by at least 2 inches with the OE coilovers, which should help accommodate larger than stock tires and wheels. The system was intended to improve wheel travel while remaining value priced. But don't let the low price of this system fool you. Once installed the name Pure Performance immediately rings true, allowing drivers to push harder through corners, and faster over the rough stuff. We optioned our test kit with a set of high-performance Elka adjustable remote reservoir coilover shocks. The results were simply stunning. Follow along as we highlight the installation process as completed by Trains 4x4 in Salinas, California.
 This is the complete Rhino...  This is the complete Rhino suspension kit from Pure Performance. Included are heavy-duty extended A-arms, steering extensions and longer axle shafts. The kit allows end users to re-use factory coilover shocks, CV joints and mounting hardware. |  We decided to upgrade our...  We decided to upgrade our test rig with a smooth-riding set of Elka Suspension coilover shocks. Elka is a known leader in ATV shock absorbers. A long history of first-place wins in the Paris Dakar rally, Pikes Peak hill climb and both the Baja 500 and 1000 prove this point. Every Elka shock is hand built in a clean-room environment to ensure contamination-free dampers from start to finish. These particular models we designed specifically as stock replacements for the Yamaha Rhino UTV. Elka also offers high-quality dampers for Polaris and Arctic Cat side-by-sides, each with the same beautiful CNC-machining and smooth anodized finish. |  Included with every Pure Performance...  Included with every Pure Performance Trail Runner Rhino kit are longer axle shafts that are designed to work with the factory CV joints. The difference is obvious when you put the longer axles next to the factory units as we did for this photo. |
 Here is a good look at the...  Here is a good look at the underside of one of the Trail Runner boxed A-arms. Large rubber isolator bushings at the pivot points are sleeved with steel inserts for long lasting performance. Note that these arms are fully assembled and ready to bolt on right out of the box. |  The front Elka shocks feature...  The front Elka shocks feature piggyback-style reservoirs with selectable compression adjustment for precise adjustment within virtually infinite increments. Strong induction-hardened 16mm shafts are standard on these shocks. Spherical bearings at both ends isolate the shock absorber from torsional forces while proprietary microcellular progressive bottom-out bumpers negate harshness at the end of the shocks stroke. |  Here you can see the billet...  Here you can see the billet adjuster knob that controls damping resistance of the shock. Simply twist this knob to make the suspension softer or stiffer. |
 This is the adjustable steering...  This is the adjustable steering tie-rod extension included with the system. Manufactured from a single piece of steel this part allows the factory steering rack to work with the 3-inch wider-per-side track width of the kit. |  The hardest part of the installation...  The hardest part of the installation process was putting together the new longer axle shafts with the OE CV joints. We watched Mark Train demonstrate how the procedure works. It's a good idea to observe this prior to trying it yourself. A few of the critical steps involve techniques that require a little knowledge if not practice to get right. If you have no prior experience re-building CVs, consider watching a professional do it first. Once apart, it's very easy to loose vital internal pieces. |  The rear Elka coilover shock...  The rear Elka coilover shock absorbers come complete with mounting hardware and plastic-coated, stainless steel braided hoses that attach via high-quality banjo bolts. This attachment method helps prevent flow restriction between the shocks piston cavity and the remote reservoir. As you can see here Elka provides enough hose length to mount each reservoir just below the bed to the left of the exhaust muffler. |