A review of Kawasaki Mules as a whole shows that while the Mule Pro FXT models are the most well-rounded in the entire line, they’re still a bit lacking when it comes to included accessories.
Even some of the highest trim levels such as the Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT Ranch Edition don’t even include a windshield and are on the more basic side from an appearance standpoint.
Fortunately there are plenty of accessories available through Kawasaki and a number of aftermarket manufacturers which will help to transform your Mule Pro FXT’s appearance and off-road ability.
This guide will highlight eleven of the most popular accessories specific to the Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT models that you may want to consider adding at some point.
Mule Pro FXT Accessories: Hood Scoop
Why Add A Hood Scoop?
If you read through the nine most common problems with the Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT, one of the biggest complaints is heat from the radiator warming the legs, feet, and cab area to an uncomfortable temp.
The best solution for this problem is to install a hood scoop, which are specifically made for the Pro FXT models.
Recommended Hood Scoop For Mule Pro FXT
You can read through this guide to Kawasaki Mule Hood Scoops to understand more about how they minimize the issue by raising the hood panel of your Mule, while also adding some flare to the look of the front end.
This Super ATV Hood Scoop is one of the best you’ll find and will have your Mule looking right and riding much more comfortable once installed – which is quite easy to do on your own.
Mule Pro FXT Accessories: Front Windshield
Why Add A Windshield?
As mentioned earlier, even the top trims of the Mule Pro FXT line and the Mule Pro MX don’t come with a windshield included.
A windshield is easily the most-added accessory among all Mules, and provides a number of benefits for riders.
- Keeps the wind out of your face
- Keep bugs out of your face
- Protects you from the elements
- Enhances the look of your Mule Pro FXT
Recommended Windshields
The Super ATV Heavy Duty Scratch Resistant 3-in-1 Flip Windshield is one of the most popular and best-for-the-money options out there.
But there are plenty more to consider that range in type of material, number of pieces, and the type of ventilation they offer.
This guide to the 9 Best Kawasaki Mule Windshields will help you narrow it down further.
Mule Pro FXT Accessories: Hard Top Roof
Why Add A Roof?
Only three of the six Mule Pro FXT models come standard with Kawasaki’s hard top plastic roof, which is one of the most popular additions to the models without it.
And a bummer for those of you who do get a standard Kawasaki roof included is the stock Kawi roof is known to collect rainwater up top, which then runs down onto occupants as you drive due to a design flaw.
Recommended Hard Top Roofs
That said, many choose to go with one of the following top aftermarket roof options:
- The SuperATV Tinted Pro FXT Roof is the best option for the money for the Mule Pro FXT. It’s made of heavy-duty polycarbonate with a flat design that won’t catch water or leak.
- The Kolpin Outdoors Pro FXT Steel Roof is the least expensive steel roof you’ll find, which is more heavy-duty and long lasting than plastic roofs.
- Ranch Armor Metal Roofs offer side rails and the ability to store gear or climb up on top.
- Deep South Products makes a diamond-plate aluminum Pro FXT roof and is light, strong, and trailerable.
If you plan on trailering your Mule often, a metal roof is likely going to be your best bet.
Mule Pro FXT Accessories: Front Winch
Why Add A Winch?
At almost 2,000 lbs, the Mule Pro FXT models are all big boys.
And while they do offer decent ground clearance of between 10 and 12 inches max, these models aren’t exactly meant for off-road riding.
If you do get into a tricky situation where you’re high-centered and stuck, you’re really going to wish you’d invested in a winch.
Aside from a roof and windshield, this is the very first accessory I’d be adding if I didn’t own one of the Ranch Edition models (which come with a winch).
There are loads of winch options out there, but for the Mule Pro FXT you’re going to want the following:
- At least 4,500 lbs winch capacity
- At least 50 ft. cable or rope
- Winch mount/plate
Recommended Winches For The Mule Pro FXT
Synthetic Rope: The Super ATV Black Ops 6,000 Lbs Winch features 50 feet of synthetic rope and is right around $300, making it quite a bargain.
Synthetic rope won’t rust, fray, or injure your hands like a steel cable winch will, so make for the best options these days.
Steel Cable: The Badland ZXR 5000 Winch offers 5,000 lbs of capacity via its 50-foot steel cable and is one of the most popular options for the Mule Pro FXT models.
Recommended Winch Mount
You also need a winch mount or plate to install these aftermarket winches on.
The Pro FXT KFI Winch Plate Mount fits perfectly on the Mule Pro FXT models and also attaches easily to both winch options mentioned above.
This plate is extremely popular among current Pro FXT Mule owners.
Mule Pro FXT Accessories: Bigger Tires
Why Add Bigger Tires?
For those of you who plan to do any off-road riding in terrain you’d consider anywhere close to rough, mountainous, rutted or technical…upgrading to bigger tires is almost a must.
The stock 26-inch tires aren’t going to cut it for these heavy vehicles in these terrains, especially while hauling a load or with one in tow.
This is especially true for those who may use their Mules on a deer lease or other hunting land where the land floods often, or in hill country where you’ll run into steep, wet terrain.
Recommended Bigger Tires
If you don’t want to add a lift to your Mule, you can only go up to 28-inch tires.
With some upgraded 28’s on, you should rarely encounter any rubbing unless you hit some big bumps at speed or take some sharp, rutted turns.
Tusk Terrabite Radial Tires (28 x 10-14) are the best 28-inch tires you can find for the money at around $150 a pop on Amazon. Your Mule will never run out of traction with these, they offer 1-2 inches of natural lift and will make your Mule Pro FXT look that much better.
Tensor Regulator All-Terrain Tires (28 x 10-12) are some of the best for the money, will provide plenty of traction for any terrain, give you a natural 1-2 inch increase in clearance and really enhance the look of your Mule Pro FXT.
Mule Pro FXT Accessories: Front LED Light Bar
Why Add A Light Bar?
The headlights on the Mule Pro FXT are one of the main weak spots, still being of the halogen variety.
You may as well hold up a lighter to see your way around in the dark, as the stock headlights don’t offer much light.
And while you can grab some pretty pricey LED headlights from Kawasaki, your best bet for lighting your way in the dark is to install an LED light bar.
Recommended Light Bars
There are plenty of different sizes and types out there, but the following are the most popular among Mule Pro FXT owners.
Full-Length Light Bars
The Nilight 52-Inch Curved Light Bar runs almost the full width of the Mule and will turn night into day while driving.
It fits right up top across the front of your Mule Pro FXT’s roof.
Installation is very simple, it looks dang good once installed, and the price is unbeatable.
Smaller Light Bars
You can also install a smaller light bar up top, or down in the grill area of your Mule Pro FXT.
The best among these is the Nilight 20-inch LED Light Bar that comes with a rocker switch to install in your cab.
Mule Pro FXT Accessories: Rear Bed Lights
Why Rear Bed Lighting?
The Mule Pro FXT doesn’t offer much in the way of rear lighting, which is recommended for early morning or twilight riding so you can see what’s behind you.
Recommended Rear Bed Lighting
You can install the same Nilight LED Light Bar recommended above, or you can grab this Nilight LED Bar & Light Pods.
This set comes with two light pods that can be installed on either side of the rear roof of the Mule and give off excellent light.
Mule Pro FXT Accessories: Gun Rack
Why A Gun Rack?
A gun rack is essential if you use your Mule for hunting or to go out shooting.
There are a number of different options out there for securing your weapons in place while riding, but there are a couple that make the most sense for the Mule Pro FXT.
Padded Gun Bag
A padded gun bag that secures to the back of the headache rack is one of the most popular, and you won’t find a better one for the price than the Classic Accessories QuadGear UTV Double Gun Carrier.
Not only does it keep two long guns enclosed in a weather-resistant carrier and free of dust, but it also helps you maintain your cab space.
The only real con with this gun bag is that you don’t have easy access to your weapons right there in the cab with you.
Easy Access In-Cab Gun Rack
The Seizmik UTV Gun Holder is one of the best in-cab gun rack options, enabling you to secure both your long guns and pistols on the seat right next to you.
If you’d prefer to save seat space and store your guns on the roof or upright on the floor, check out the following:
- Big Sky Overhead Gun Rack
- Kolpin UTV Gun Rack
Mule Pro FXT Accessories: Full Length Skid Plates
Why Skid Plates?
The Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT models do come with factory skid plates installed underneath, but they’re very thin and are one of the weak spots on these otherwise solid machines.
They’re prone to being punctured by branches or rocks while trail riding, and are also known to pull loose from the underside and start to peel back as they catch on debris under the vehicle.
Obviously this can lead to damage to your coolant lines or fuel tank which sit right above them. And a damaged skid plate will also lead to a bunch of dust in your cab area.
Upgraded Skid Plates
You should really consider upgrading to a thicker, full-length skid plate that extends to the outside rockers and protects the entire underside.
The Super ATV UHMW ½-Inch Thick Skid Plate is the best upgrade for the money for a Mule Pro FXT.
This skid plate is made of ½ inch thick UHMW heavy-duty plastic that is plenty strong to handle abuse.
At just under $700, it’ll provide about the same amount of protection as the more expensive options at around half the cost.
You can also look at the following more expensive but high-quality options as well:
- Kawasaki OEM Aluminum Skid Plate
- Factory UTV UHMW Skid Plate
- Ricochet Off-Road Aluminum or UHMW Skid Plates
Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT Accessories: Fuse Block
Why Add A Fuse Block?
The stock battery in the Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT will drain rather quickly if you wire added electronics directly to it.
You should be hooking your battery up to the Battery Tender Plus between rides either way, but if you are installing any electrical accessories besides a winch, you’ll want to grab a fuse block for your Mule.
A fuse block acts as an added power source and gives you additional ports to wire your accessories to.
Any lights, radios, sound bars, or other electronics should all be connected to this block.
Recommended Fuse Blocks
You can buy an inexpensive one like the Blue Sea Fuse Block and install it yourself, or you can grab a more expensive one like the Hester Motorsports Fuse Block.
Mule Pro FXT Accessories: Elka Shocks
Why Upgrade The Stock Suspension?
If you’re looking to ride trails or any off-road terrain, the Mule Pro FXT models are the ones you’ll want to do that with.
And they’ll provide a smooth ride for the most part, but even these models aren’t technically meant for off-road riding.
The stock front shocks are known to flop and wallow while off-road, and you’ll find you bottom out the front suspension more often than you’d like in technical terrain.
If you live in hill country or ride rugged terrain often, your best bet is to upgrade your Mule’s suspension system to gain the following:
- Smoother, more comfortable ride
- Higher ground clearance
- More suspension travel
Why Elka Shocks?
Elka Shocks are the go-to for Mule Pro FXT owners, and make your Mule even more off-road capable and able to ride in ways that Mule models aren’t necessarily intended to.
There are five different levels to choose from, and while you’ll be able to tell a big difference with just the Elka Stage One shocks, the sweet spot for the Mule Pro FXT tends to be Elka Stage Three shocks.
You’ll want to consult with someone like Hester’s Motorsports to get their recommendation.
Simply putting on some stock Elka shocks will make a difference, but having someone like Hester do them with their specific set-up will provide:
- Added 2-5 inches of lift
- Around 4 inches added wheel travel
- Firms up the ride without making it rough
- Offers more adjustability for height/weight to maintain clearance
Adding Elka shocks will be one of the best decisions you make if your Mule will be out in rough country often.
Final Word
As some of the most reliable side-by-sides in the industry, Kawasaki Mules won’t let you down in most regards.
But to make them even more capable and better-looking, adding the popular accessories will really transform them.
