UTV for homesteading my review of of a polaris ranger 500 and accessories

Why we bought a new 2018 polaris ranger midsize profit and the accessories over the years on a tight budget. Pro's and Con's. It's a tough choice buying one of these with your hard earned money. We got the least that could do the most for our needs. I shopped around for up to years to get the best deals on accessories. The links below are good prices but you can shop around and find some at great prices
the doors the I found used
seizmik.com/pr...
The roof I bought new
everythingpola...
rear view mirror I bought that comes with Seat Belt Bypass Harness that can turn off the speed limiter
www.amazon.com...
windshield that I got scratch/dent this is a link to a new one
everythingpola...
the hitch that I got
www.amazon.com...
cab heater that I got
www.amazon.com...
rear windshield guard . I could not find the side rails listed anymore and that may be how I got so cheap
Headache Rack 2879976
shown here
www.chapmoto.c...
this one maybe? not sure why Polaris does not list one for the 500?
ranger.polaris...
www.amazon.in/...
rear windshield
ranger.polaris...
roof strobe
www.amazon.com...
winch replacement line
www.amazon.com...
I think this is the Fairlead
www.amazon.com...
winch
www.harborfrei...
winch mount
everythingpola...
trailer I have
www.amazon.com...
probably forgot something

[@chicken_whisperer8959]

Great job. Years later still useful information thanks.

[@HomesteadReliance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dginta7932]

I had a 500 from 2011 to 2020. It was our only vehicle when we lived off grid. As long as you keep up on the clutches / belt and other wear items, they are great. I would recommend the midsize 500…great workhorse.

[@HomesteadReliance]

Yea we are still using ours. Thanks for the info.

[@chewi4u]

Nice Review! Covered just about everything.

[@RanchoFiascoMike]

Good review. I just got an 06 Ranger 500. Found that accessories are getting hard to find for a UTV this old. Very useful around the ranch. Came with a plastic windshield which is difficult to keep clean as the plastic is a dust magnet and scratches easy when you clean it. Has a warm winch but did not have a control cable. Still looking for one of those.

[@HomesteadReliance]

Thanks, I made a control cable recently for my winch with an extra long cable and switch that I keep under the hood until needed. Try eBay and maybe market place for accessories maybe? I keep thinking of fabricating accessories because of the limited availability and high cost.

[@MrGS53]

Thank you very informative and comprehensive

[@HomesteadReliance]

Glad it was helpful

[@driftlow2426]

love the smart buying!

[@HomesteadReliance]

Thanks much! They are so expensive unfortunately

[@mwaynem]

Lots of good info thanks for sharing. I didn't make it one season on the factory tires on my sportsman before I put a rock in the side wall. Put a set of 6 ply tires on. No flats since and I hunt in very rocky terrain.

[@HomesteadReliance]

What brand tires? Good info to know

[@nathanduckeorth806]

Good ideas and great tips reviews

[@HomesteadReliance]

thanks much!!!

[@StarknightMT_official]

We have a ranger bed tie-down anchors item for the test, so are you interested in this product test? It helps you to fix the goods on the ranger bed with straps.

[@diggerrob6356]

Here in Oz we are looking at close to $20k for one of these things and maybe up to 9 months wait from order. Chuckle...I might not live that long~

[@HomesteadReliance]

Wow that is crazy! Here they now get up as high as $45k this model is now over $10k

[@StarknightMT_official]

Are you interested in shooting the product testing video in your spare time? About UTV products, tie-down anchors, side mirrors, and dome light.

[@robertpeden4848]

Great review, thanks! If you wouldn't mind, could you please post the polaris part number for your headache rack? The link you listed does not list the midsize ranger as compatible and I cant find one designed for the ranger 500 model. Again, thanks for the review.

[@HomesteadReliance]

the model was Headache Rack 2879976 and Polaris does not have it on their website anymore but a google search shows some around.

[@Madmatt252525]

Having a great deal of trouble finding seat covers for our 2022 Ranger 500 so I am curious what type and where you got yours? I believe the seat sizes was unchaged from 2018-2022 but no one can confirm that for us for sure.

[@HomesteadReliance]

this is the brand that I got www.amazon.com/Classic-Accessories-Polaris-Mid-Size-18-141-016003-00/dp/B01M580FV4

[@slick116]

hows the seating with two people ..how much room does it have between people .. is there enough to put a packsack

[@HomesteadReliance]

You can easily fit a pack or dog between to normal sized adults.we squeeze 3 people often for short rides.

[@slick116]

@@HomesteadReliance decent room between driver and passenger ok thx

[@nascar5410]

Sounds like you bought it from action powersports

[@HomesteadReliance]

cedar creek Powersports in Wisconsin

[@fyanezc]

Thanks for the great info. Curious, how many hours have you put in? How frequently do you service it? I also have a Ranger for work and usually I reach the 12 month before the 100hr recommended oil change, so I keep an anual regime of change everything. Curious to know what you do. Thanks !

[@HomesteadReliance]

Yea I'm nearing 90 hrs now and only 200 miles. I did the 25 hour break in oil change and will probably wait until I hit 100 hours for the next. I have the Polaris service kit ready to go.

[@locustvalleyfarms7241]

Is your ranger still going good?

[@HomesteadReliance]

Yes still working like a champ. I Just do regular maintenance with no issues

[@shyguy7515]

how about taking less about your buying prowess and more about the actually vehicle.. so much wasted space!

[@HomesteadReliance]

Sorry about that. I’m really frugal.