P500 Ultimate Ranch UTV - P500

[gatorguy]

I traded in a 2006 Honda Rancher for a 2015 Honda Pioneer 500. I made the jump to the P500 as I wanted to make it an ultimate ranch UTV. We've used four wheelers for a long time, adding baskets and towing trailers to make them more useful. We also have had a Kubota RTV on the ranch. My problem with the Kubota is it slow boat anchor. We have a lot of soft ground in the Florida flatwoods and that thing just sinks. I never considered getting the P500 until I saw someone fabricate a metal bed - then the light bulb went off. I've had my Pioneer for 7 months now and I can't imagine life without it! The three seater 1000 would be nice but not for double the price of my P5.

I like how some of the styling of my rancher carried over to the P5. I can see it especially in the headlights and hood angle.


The first round of mods included the OEM hard roof, Great Day gun rack and roll bar bag.

 

[gatorguy]

Before I even purchased the P5, I spoke with a local fabricator about making a bed for the machine. I had a rough idea of what I wanted but had to then get the P5 to get all of the measurements. I ended up going with 48" wide, 32" long and 24" tall. The basket is roughly 9" deep. The sides are 1" square aluminum and aluminum expanded metal with 1/8" solid aluminum for the floor. I bolted the bed directly to rear rack using the three main cross members that are square. Overall, it weighs about 30 lbs so it doesn't hurt the weight capacity of the P5 at all. I put 1/4" rubber matting between the bed and rack. Also, I put a 1/2"x4'x3' horse stall mat for the surface of the bed as a bed liner.



I installed d-rings in the bed to strap down a 26 gallon sprayer or whatever else I'm hauling at the time


The Toolbox was designed for the Yamaha Rhino but it fits perfectly in my bed. Its a great size for a small socket set, pliers, wrenches, etc.

 

[sthomp54]

Thats a great looking bed. Looks tough. One thing I really like about the P500 is the ability to easily put on an all metal bed, much more durable than the plastic bed on most UTVs.

 

[gatorguy]

I agree! Plus, since I did mine out of aluminum I don't have to worry about it rusting.

One of my favorite mods is the Strongmade bumper. I think it really enhances the look of the P5



I didn't feel the need to have a winch so I installed the light bar in the winch location. If I want to add one later I could always use the factory mounting location.

 

[jay dawge]

Yeah mine is aluminum diamond plate if my p5 lasts me 25 yrs, my cargo bed will too.

 

[scottn57]

The first round of mods included the OEM hard roof, Great Day gun rack and roll bar bag.

Which Great Day Gun rack is that? I ordered the one recommended for the P500, but I'm pretty sure it has the Front to Back mounts?
Great Day QD855OGR 15-23"
The one in your picture seems to fit well... any issues?

 

[gatorguy]

I bought it off Ebay from Southside Honda. They list the model # as QD853OGR. No issues whatsoever. The main reason I went with this style as I saw another P500 owner use it with a factory roof with no issues. You can see the old ebay post here:
QUICK DRAW OVERHEAD GUN RACK HONDA PIONEER 500

 

[gatorguy]

Before I put up a new fence I noticed a sand pine tree that was leaning pretty badly. I decided to cut it down before I put up the fence. I didn't have a tractor close by so I decided to see if the ole' trusty P5 could yank it out of the way. It easily pulled the tree clear of my fence line when cut up into three 15' pieces. Oddly enough, the base of the tree (in this picture) pulled the easiest. I have no doubt that I would wear out a CVT SxS doing this kind of work lol

 

[miano248]

nice job looks great maybe Honda designed the P-500 for us to come up with our own designs and upgrades lol so far I haven't seen one P-500 that looks the same which is great some of the best ideas start off on a pencil & napkin and end up as reality awesome keep us posted on other upgrades

 

[sthomp54]

How much did that bed set u back?

 

[gatorguy]

How much did that bed set u back?

$500. I went to a local metal fabricator and I think he was just as excited about it as me as it was done in less than a week. I called a few different places and got quotes from $400 to over $1,200.

 

[sthomp54]

That seems like a great price, any chance he would make another? Where are you located?

 

[gatorguy]

Central Florida

 

[gatorguy]

Well I have loved my P500 these last 7.5 years but I am moving on to a 2022 1000-5 Forest on Monday! The P500 never failed me, I am just ready for something different

 

[Delta]

Well I have loved my P500 these last 7.5 years but I am moving on to a 2022 1000-5 Forest on Monday! The P500 never failed me, I am just ready for something different

I seen where you had your P5 setup very well did you sell it privately or did you trade it in on the 1000? How did it hold up on resale value vs what you had invested into the p5. I ask because I sold my Polaris sportsman for a good return however I only paid for a winch and tires on that machine.

 

[gatorguy]

I am planning on selling it privately. The dealer only offered $4,500. I’m hoping to get ~$7k based on the Craigslist ads I see around my area. I also added Elka Stage 1 Shocks and Tusk Terrabite radial tires in the last two years.

 

[Delta]

I sold my atv and a motorcycle recently and had each priced a thousand dollars over kbb typical listing price. Each buyer gave me my asking price and neither asked if I would take less, which I would have dropped five hundred right off the bat. Everything is overpriced right now it has everyone in the mindset that they will have to pay a little more. I think you will have an easy sale hold firm on your price and don’t be shy to raise it a little if you are not in a hurry.