[mrugg]

I bought a few weeks ago a 2004 polaris ranger 500. My question is I see there are full size and mid size side by side's. Is mine a mid size or full size and what is the difference?

 

[POS POLARIS]

in 2004 I believe all they had were full size machines.

I think the whole midsize thing started in about 2012.

The difference is mostly that the midsize is about 4 inches narrower so that they will easily fit in the back of a pickup for transport. They also have a different front suspension (struts instead of shocks and dual A arms), the midsize has less payload capacity. I also think it doesn't have the tilt wheel and as much underdash storage space.

The fullsize units of today are the same size as your full size unit minus the newer 900s which are on a completely new and different platform.

Is yours a solid rear axle? I borrowed one once from a friend that was and that was the worst riding machine I think I've ever been in! my back was messed up for days!

the bright side is that your 500 is one of the best engine polaris has ever built. tough as nails and will last a long time if well cared for.

Hopefully this makes some sense.

 

[Hartone]

My father in law has the 500 ranger and POS is right that is a good engine It is also just as big as my 2015 900

 

[mrugg]

in 2004 I believe all they had were full size machines.

I think the whole midsize thing started in about 2012.

The difference is mostly that the midsize is about 4 inches narrower so that they will easily fit in the back of a pickup for transport. They also have a different front suspension (struts instead of shocks and dual A arms), the midsize has less payload capacity. I also think it doesn't have the tilt wheel and as much underdash storage space.

The fullsize units of today are the same size as your full size unit minus the newer 900s which are on a completely new and different platform.

Is yours a solid rear axle? I borrowed one once from a friend that was and that was the worst riding machine I think I've ever been in! my back was messed up for days!

the bright side is that your 500 is one of the best engine polaris has ever built. tough as nails and will last a long time if well cared for.

Hopefully this makes some sense.

Yes that cleared the air for me on it and yes it's a solid axle, I haven't went really farther than my yard so not sure on how it rides. Thank you

 

[mrugg]

Thank you to Hartone.

 

[revrnd]

500 midsizes were being made in 2010, the year before I bought my 2011. Not sure if the 2010s were the 1st year of the midsize.