An Ultrex lift assist upgrade is a heavier replacement gas-spring cylinder from Minn Kota that makes a sonar-loaded Ultrex easier to stow and deploy. Once you add a Humminbird MEGA 360 and a MEGA Live TargetLock transducer to the shaft, the motor weighs more than the stock lift assist was built to handle, and the bow mount starts to feel heavy. The fix is simple in concept, but there are real things to check before you buy: which motors qualify, which cylinder matches yours, what it costs, and whether to install it yourself. This guide walks through each one.

I have a friend who recently went through the exercise of researching and purchasing a new lift assist for his Minnkota Ultrex. It’s not as straight-forward as it might seem so I wanted to provide some relevant information here that might help clear things up for people in the future.

What the Ultrex Lift Assist Upgrade Actually Is

The Ultrex bow mount uses a gas spring to take weight off the motor as you lift it into the stowed position. That spring is sized for the motor as it ships from the factory. The upgrade is Minn Kota’s Ultrex Lift Assist Cylinder, an official accessory that replaces the factory spring. According to Minn Kota, it increases the effective weight the lift assist can support so it can account for the extra weight of Humminbird transducers added to the shaft, restoring the original feel of the lift assist.

A few details from Minn Kota’s product information that matter:

• It is designed to be used only on motors that have both the MEGA 360 and the MEGA Live TargetLock installed. The cylinder is calibrated for that combined weight.
• It replaces the factory gas spring rather than adding to it.
• It comes with a one-year warranty.
• It is sold in versions that match motor thrust and shaft length, so one size does not fit every Ultrex.

Do I Need An Ultrex Lift Assist Upgrade?

Not every Ultrex owner does. The upgrade solves a specific problem: a motor that has gained weight on the shaft.

You likely need it if:

• You have both a MEGA 360 and a MEGA Live TargetLock on the shaft
• The motor feels noticeably heavier to stow and deploy than it did before you added the transducers
• You fish alone or regularly handle the motor yourself and the extra effort adds up over a full day

You likely don’t need it if:

• You haven’t added the Humminbird transducers, or you only run one of them
• Your motor stows easily and you are not fighting it

Minn Kota’s installation instructions also say that if you ever use the upgrade cylinder without the Humminbird accessories, the original gas spring should go back in. The cylinder is built for the heavier setup, not for a bare motor.

Compatibility: Check Your Model Year First

This is where most owners get tripped up. Minn Kota states that the cylinder alone is compatible only with Advanced GPS Ultrex motors manufactured in 2023 or later. Older i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link Ultrex models will not accept an updated cylinder by itself. Minn Kota’s help center also notes that Ultrex motors made in 2024 or earlier may need a replacement lift assist cylinder to handle the extra weight, so the two statements overlap around the 2023 and 2024 model years. If your motor is near that line, confirm with Minn Kota support before you order.

Your motor	What Minn Kota says	What you generally need
Advanced GPS Ultrex, 2023 or later, with both MEGA 360 and MEGA Live TargetLock	Cylinder-only upgrade is supported	The lift assist cylinder matching your thrust and shaft length
i-Pilot or i-Pilot Link Ultrex made before 2023	Will not accept the cylinder alone	The MEGA Live TargetLock and MEGA 360 Ultrex accessory mount (a replacement mount sold as a service part), plus the matching cylinder
Ultrex QUEST	Has its own cylinder versions	The QUEST cylinder that matches your shaft length
Any Ultrex without both transducers	Not intended for this use	Stay with the original gas spring

Matching the right cylinder to your motor

Cylinders are matched to the motor’s thrust and shaft length. Minn Kota’s listing includes versions for 80 lb and 112 lb motors with 45-inch shafts and for 80 to 112 lb motors with 52-inch shafts, and retailers list separate QUEST versions rated at 115 lb. Item numbers retailers show include 1854070, 1854071, 1854072 and 1854073, but confirm the exact number for your motor on Minn Kota’s site before ordering, because versions and numbers can change.

Check your motor’s thrust and shaft length on the decal or in the owner’s manual before you shop.

What the Ultrex Lift Assist Upgrade Costs

The cylinder itself is the smaller part of the decision. Prices below are approximate, since retailers change them often, so check current pricing before you buy.

Item	Approximate cost	Notes
Minn Kota Ultrex Lift Assist Cylinder	About $100 at retail	The official upgrade. Retailer prices have commonly ranged from the high $80s to about $100
Standard replacement gas spring (stock-style)	Roughly $25	A different job: replacing a worn-out spring, not upgrading lift capacity
Ultrex accessory mount (pre-2023 motors)	Check Minn Kota	Required for older i-Pilot models; price not confirmed here, so verify before budgeting
Professional installation	Shop labor plus the part	Ask for a quote. Many shops bill by the hour, so a short job costs one labor increment
Aftermarket spring kits	Varies	Owners on forums describe community and machined solutions. These are not Minn Kota-sanctioned

Two cost points are worth remembering. First, if your motor is a pre-2023 model, the mount replacement is the real expense, not the cylinder. Second, buying the wrong version means a return, so match thrust and shaft length before you order.

What Installation Involves

Minn Kota publishes installation instructions for the upgrade, and they should be your reference for the exact steps on your motor. The main points from those instructions are:

• Install the cylinder after both the MEGA 360 and MEGA Live TargetLock are on the motor.
• The factory gas spring has to come out before the new cylinder goes in.
• Minn Kota recommends a second person to help with the installation.
• The gas-assist mechanism is under pressure, so follow the instructions on how to handle the motor and spring safely during removal.
• If you later remove the Humminbird accessories, swap the original gas spring back in first.

Owners on boating forums add some practical color: fasteners can be stubborn, and taking the motor off the mount makes the work easier. Treat those as owner reports, not instructions. Older forum advice may not match the current design of your motor, so confirm against Minn Kota’s instruction sheet for your exact model.

One more tip from Minn Kota’s help center: always install your motor’s stabilizer, sometimes called the bounce bar, when you carry a MEGA 360 on the shaft. It helps prevent damage to your equipment when the motor is stowed.

I’ve installed several graphs and trolling motors on boats, and it requires some research and some tools but is doable. If you’re uncomfortable with installation, it’s best to take it to a professional to ensure everything is done correctly. More electronics can create a more complex installation process so do you research regarding wire gauges, power output, and networking requirements.

DIY or Professional Installation?

For many owners this is a reasonable DIY job, but it is not a trivial one. A good way to decide is to ask the same three questions used for any boat maintenance task: does it need tools you don’t have, does a mistake have expensive or dangerous consequences, and could it affect your warranty?

DIY is reasonable if:

• You are comfortable with basic hand tools and can follow a written instruction sheet
• You have a helper, as Minn Kota recommends
• Your motor already accepts the cylinder (2023 or later, or you already have the correct mount)
• You are comfortable working around a spring under pressure

Consider a professional if:

• You are replacing the mount on a pre-2023 motor, which is a bigger job than swapping a cylinder
• You are not comfortable removing the motor from the bow mount or handling a pressurized spring
• The motor is under warranty and you want installation documented by a shop
• You would rather have the install done alongside other electronics work, such as mounting the MEGA 360 and MEGA Live

A shop already doing a MEGA 360 or MEGA Live installation can often add the cylinder at the same visit, which is worth asking about when you book.

Before You Buy: A Quick Checklist

• Confirm you have both the MEGA 360 and the MEGA Live TargetLock on the shaft
• Find your motor’s model year and whether it is Advanced GPS, i-Pilot, i-Pilot Link, or QUEST
• Note thrust (80 lb, 112 lb or 115 lb) and shaft length (45 inch or 52 inch)
• Match the cylinder version to those specs on Minn Kota’s site, not just a retailer listing
• If the motor is pre-2023, price the accessory mount before you budget
• Download Minn Kota’s installation instructions for your model and read them before you start
• Plan for a second person on install day
• Confirm your stabilizer (bounce bar) is installed

From the Water

Current fishing electronics have become pretty advanced over the years and can help locate and catch fish but with more advanced technology, comes more complicated installation processes and learning curves. YouTube is a great resource for someone who is looking to upgrade their current electronics, and talking with fellow fisherman. I would advise you to do plenty of research before purchasing, as different models of fish finders may not be compatible with other tools such as MEGA 360 and MEGA Live.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ultrex Lift Assist Upgrade

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