Rugged General: Polaris Conversion With Classic Jeep Styling
This rugged Polaris is having a bit of an identity crisis.
ATVs offer some unique advantages over aging jeeps, like significant weight savings and a modern-day drivetrain and suspension setup. The Rugged General seeks to deliver the best of both worlds, with the styling of a flat-fender Jeep mounted to Polaris General underpinnings.
Flat-Fender style
Work to transform the Polaris ATV was done by NVFab Shop in Grover Beach, California. In the video above, Rugged Radios’ owner Greg Cottrell explains the team’s approach to getting the flat-fender look. It begins with the iconic upright Willys grill. From there, the Polaris also receives a full windshield and flat top, along with half-doors to complete the Jeep feel. It’s not going to fool any diehards, but the attitude is all there, complete with a coat of dust-hued paint.
ATV capability
Beyond its good looks, the General delivers some real off-road performance. It has been treated to a 3-inch suspension lift and sports upgraded 32-inch tires on bead-lock wheels, connected to dual C02 bottles and a compressor to allow for quick air-up. It also wears upgraded Walker Evans shocks for improved ride quality over the rough stuff.
Rounding out the General’s arsenal is a host of high-tech electronics goodies, as you might expect from an off-road radio company. It sports a headset-ready RM50-MB 50 Watt Multi-Band Radio, high-end Magellan TRX7 GPS, and four powerful KC Hilite LED lights with amber turn signals.
The little things
Taking this tough little OHV to the trail is sure to be fun. The cabin is decked out with choice touches like a grenade shift lever. And if you ever did push the General’s capabilities to the point of getting stuck, there’s a front-mounted winch.
Sometimes companies get carried away with builds like this, and forget practicality in their efforts to create something that looks cool. But that’s not the case with the General. It’s a great example of a creative take on a classic idea, that you can actually use.
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