Slate as Side-by-Side

[Johnny5]

I was wrenching on a Bobcat branded UTV the other day, thinking how similar it is in construction to our Slate. All the body panels are just juked onto a skeleton, that's in turn built onto a frame. You can get all manor of farkles for this Polaris/Bobcat; doors, winches, tops, engine upgrades, suspension. In the stock form like this one, it's really a pretty simplified machine. Since we usually compare and contrast our Slate to more bloated machines I thought it might be worth looking at it for a minute as a road going UTV.

I did a bit of Google, and found an article that talks about building UTV's more like the Slate because reasons.

https://www.utvdriver.com/utv-news/...late's second secret,are nothing new for UTVs.

 

[AZFox]

Unfortunately road going Utility Terrain Vehicle is a contradiction in terms.

UTV capabilities require a completely different kind of chassis and suspension.

 

[KevinRS]

Unfortunately road going Utility Terrain Vehicle is a contradiction in terms.

UTV capabilities require a completely different kind of chassis and suspension.

Then call it a USV or something then, Utility Street Vehicle.

 

[MotoGary]

UTVs are a scourge and destroying the most scenic parts of my state. I'd be in favor of every UTV being converted to an E-UTV if for no other reason than the noise reduction. Now if they can figure out a way to reduce the dust they kick up and the destruction they do to the sensitive terrain. The problem they'll never solve is the 5% percent of entitled pr*cks that don't give a f*ck and ride anywhere they want. That group causes 90% of the problems and they all have kids with attitude so it's a losing battle...

/rant_off

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

That is something I also noted. I have heard that there is an empty space behind the frunk that could hint at a future AWD variant. My Model 3 RWD also has this and is where the motor goes for the AWD version. In fact my intent is to use it as a SXS here in rural Michigan. Some may want a beefier suspension though but wait...this is a Slate and it is designed for mods like that.

One more thing; A well known brand of SXS electric the 2024 Model at $29,999...Note; Not enclosed cab, no heat or A/C, and Not Highway legal, 45 mile max range. ($37500 for the 80 mile version.)

IMHO Slate needs a front hard point for bolting on a winch and for attaching a brush guard. Even if I don't take it off road, here in Michigan a brush guard saved my having a front end repair bill more than once. Deer encounter, sometimes works out better for the deer also.

 

[Johnny5]

IMHO Slate needs a front hard point for bolting on a winch and for attaching a brush guard. Even if I don't take it off road, here in Michigan a brush guard saved my having a front end repair bill more than once. Deer encounter, sometimes works out better for the deer also.

I'm sure someone will be coming up with winch options, maybe even someone from the UTV accessories industry. If there's not a hardpoint some kind of subframe could happen, like trailer hitches on the 60's era VW bugs. I don't know any specifics, I'm just theorizing.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

I'm sure someone will be coming up with winch options, maybe even someone from the UTV accessories industry. If there's not a hardpoint some kind of subframe could happen, like trailer hitches on the 60's era VW bugs. I don't know any specifics, I'm just theorizing.

No worries for me, being from Detroit, I do know a few guys that know how to weld. I'm just trying to stimulate some ideas.

 

[RedJoker]

Our current farm utility vehicle is a 1999 EZGO electric golf cart. Mud tires, a limited slip differential and a lithium battery upgrade makes it surprisingly capable but not perfect. The land is flat so I don't have to worry about terrain issues. In my perfect world, I'd have a small electric cargo van and an electric AWD / 4X4. It would be awesome to have two Slates configured for each of those roles.