By now you probably already know that the Morimoto 4Banger is one of the brightest pod lights in the industry, and today we are going to show you just how universal these things are for your vehicle, and especially for your side-by-side. We spent time behind the wheel of a seriously built Can-Am Maverick XMR to prove that these little pods can go almost anywhere you have a bolt, and we came away impressed with how flexible the whole setup is. If you have been searching for the best Morimoto 4Banger pod lights for side-by-side builds, this is the walkthrough for you.
Why We Tested the 4Banger on a Can-Am Maverick XMR
The Maverick XMR we used for this install is a Can-Am turbo RR series machine, and it is loaded. It rides on Zbroz suspension, rolls on a set of beautiful American Force wheels wrapped in Moto Slayer tires, and it even has that sick red and black interior to tie it all together. Honestly, the only thing missing was a set of really nice off-road pod lights, and that is exactly where the Morimoto 4Banger comes in. This side-by-side is meant to get down the track and through the ditches, so it needs lighting that can keep up in the dark.
We wanted to show that the 4Banger is not just a hood-light-and-done pod. Because of the mounting options Morimoto offers, you can put these lights in places you would not expect and get real, usable light where you actually need it. If you want a broader look at the family before diving in, we put together a full deep dive on the full 4Banger lineup that covers the range in more detail.
Surface Mounts: Put a 4Banger Anywhere There Is a Bolt
The first thing that makes these pods so versatile on a side-by-side is the Morimoto surface mounts. With the surface mounts, you can literally mount the 4Banger anywhere on your side-by-side, or really anywhere there is a bolt. On this Can-Am, there is a bolt right up on the top of the cab. We took a 4Banger, placed it, and mounted it right there. That top position lets you illuminate further down the road and out into the ditch areas, which is exactly the kind of long-range coverage you want when the trail gets dark.
This is the part that really sold us on the 4Banger as a side-by-side light. You are not locked into one location. If your machine has a factory bolt point somewhere useful, that is a potential home for a 4Banger. That flexibility is why we keep recommending these pods to riders who want a clean, purposeful setup instead of drilling new holes all over the vehicle.
Tube Brackets for the Roll Cage
Another great option is the tube brackets that wrap around your roll cage. Each tube bracket has a little tab on the side, and that tab gives you two ways to aim the light. You can mount the 4Bangers flush against the cage, or you can pivot them up and point them straight out to get a bit more light on the very side of your side-by-side. That side coverage keeps things a little safer at night when you want to see what is off the edge of the trail, not just straight ahead.
We like the tube bracket approach because roll cages are basically a grid of mounting points waiting to be used. If you are building out lighting in stages, adding a pair of pivoting side pods on the cage is one of the easiest upgrades you can make. For riders who want a specific beam spread for that side coverage, the 4Banger HXB Wide Beam LED pods throw a broad wall of light that works well pivoted outward.
Using the 4Banger as a Reverse Light
Here is a use case that surprised a lot of folks watching us install these: the 4Banger makes a perfect reverse light for your side-by-side. On the backside of the Maverick, there is a bolt where you can mount a pod that illuminates the full back side of the machine. That makes backing up on night trails a lot safer, because you are actually seeing where you are going instead of guessing in the dark.
There are also two bolts on the very back of the side-by-side that make this install even easier. If you want a tighter, more focused rear beam for reverse duty, the 4Banger HXB Spot Beam pods from The Retrofit Source punch light out behind you, while a wider option keeps the whole rear area lit for close-in maneuvering.
How We Installed the 4Banger
The install itself is about as simple as it gets, and that is the whole point. We used the rear bolts on the Maverick to show just how quick this can be.
Step 1: Remove the Factory Screw
Start by taking out the existing screw at the mounting location. That is the bolt point the 4Banger is going to share, so getting it out of the way is the only prep you really need here.
Step 2: Place the 4Banger
Set the 4Banger into position over the bolt hole. Because the pod is compact, it tucks into these factory locations cleanly without a bunch of extra hardware.
Step 3: Tighten It Back Down
Thread the screw back in and tighten it down. Once the pod is secure, you head straight into the harness and get everything wired up. That is really all there is to the physical mounting, which is why we keep saying these are one of the most user-friendly pods for a side-by-side.
The Harness: Weatherproof Relay and Extension
Now let us talk about the harness, because the Morimoto 4Bangers come with an excellent harness right in the kit. It comes with a relay that is honestly one of the best in the industry, and it is built to allow no water intrusion to get in when you are running through those wet trails. On a machine like the XMR that lives in the mud and water, a sealed relay is exactly what you want.
The kit also comes with a switch harness. You can absolutely use that included switch, but if you would rather run your lights off the switches already built into your side-by-side, you have that option too. We appreciate that Morimoto gives you the choice instead of forcing a specific wiring path. If you are running a mix of beam types across your machine, the 4Banger NCS Combo Beam pods pair nicely with this harness for a blend of spot and spread.
Reaching Front and Rear Pods with the Extension Harness
One of the best features is the extension harness. It comes with a longer run of wire so you can reach the 4Bangers that are mounted a little further forward, up on the roof, or way out on the back of your side-by-side. That means you can power the whole setup, front to back, for those long dark trails without scrambling to source extra wiring.
Color and Beam Pattern Options
When it comes to choosing your 4Bangers, you have real options. The 4Banger is available in white or yellow, and you can pick from three beam patterns: spot, wide, and combo. Whether you go white for maximum brightness or yellow for better visibility in dust and fog, and whether you want a tight spot, a broad wide pattern, or a combo of both, the 4Banger is going to be the best pod light for your side-by-side.
For riders who want to compare wide-beam options across retailers, the 4Banger NCS Wide Beam pods at Headlight Revolution are worth a look. And if you plan to fill in every factory bolt hole and want the hardware to do it cleanly, the 4Banger flush mounting kit gives you a tidy, low-profile mount that works great on flat panels.
Final Thoughts After Our Install
After running these on the Maverick XMR, our takeaway is simple: the 4Banger is one of the most flexible pod lights you can put on a side-by-side. Surface mounts let you use existing bolts anywhere on the machine, tube brackets open up the entire roll cage, and the rear bolts turn a pod into a genuinely useful reverse light. Add in a weatherproof relay, an optional switch harness, and an extension harness that reaches front to back, and you have a complete lighting kit that is easy to install and built for the trail. Make sure to check out all the other products we have on our website, plug in your Year, Make, and Model, and we will catch you over there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Morimoto 4Banger pod lights be mounted anywhere on a side-by-side?
Yes, the transcript explains that with the Morimoto surface mounts, the 4Bangers can be mounted anywhere there is a bolt on the vehicle, including the top of the roll cage, the rear, or along tube brackets.
Can the 4Banger pod lights be used as a reverse light on a side-by-side?
Yes, the video shows mounting a 4Banger on the back bolt of the side-by-side so it illuminates the full rear area, making it a useful reverse light for night trail riding.
What comes with the Morimoto 4Banger wiring kit?
According to the transcript, the kit includes a relay designed to prevent water intrusion, a switch harness (optional if you prefer using your vehicle’s own switches), and an extension harness for lights mounted further forward or toward the rear.
What color and beam pattern options are available for the 4Banger?
The transcript states the 4Banger is available in white or yellow, with three beam patterns: spot, wide, and combo.
Do the 4Banger pod lights work with roll cage tube brackets?
Yes, the transcript describes tube brackets that wrap around the roll cage with a tab on the side, allowing the 4Banger to be mounted flush or pivoted outward for extra side lighting.
Meet the Experts Behind Morimoto
Jimmy Nguyen – Engineering Manager
Jimmy leads engineering at Morimoto, bringing experience across customer support, supplier management, design engineering, and validation testing. His work ensures Morimoto lighting systems are engineered for real-world reliability and long-term performance.
Mike Hicks – Quality Control Manager
Mike oversees quality assurance at Morimoto, with a background spanning returns testing, RMA analysis, vendor quality control, and manufacturer scorecards. His focus is continuous improvement and accountability across the product lifecycle.
