Golf Carts, ezgo, clubcar, electric, or gas???

[wushaw]

I have a 98 EZ-GO 36v electric, purchased in 02, lifted with just turf tires, I did the lift myself and I didn't see any reason to have knobby tires with a open rear end golf cart also I didn't or still have any plans on going muddin in this thing. I use it as a tool, it is quiet which I find the greatest asset.

I figure if I needed a gas machine I just might as well get a UTV and get more power and 4X4.

 

[Tororider]

Good info. I can get a 2002 48 volt club car for $1950. Batteries are said to be testing at 70-80 minutes, new test at 100-110.

Like I said, I want the electric, and the silence is not something I had been using to my advantage. We can get the lift kit and tires, and the flip flop seat for between $500 and $700 depending on what options we go with. I don't think installation will be too bad.

Does anyone with an electric cart have a battery saver? The guy at the cart place said they strongly recommend them to extend battery life.

 

[HickoryNut]

That cart likely has the original 6 year old batteries, that's pretty much the expected life of a battery pack no matter how well maintained. In buying that machine, you should budget $500 for a new six-pack of Trojan T-875's.

"A-arm" type lift kits are simple to install. It might take a couple of tries to get the front end aligned correctly.

"Battery Saver", not for me. Modern carts have a very sophisticated charging system which I trust to do its job. A desulfinating charge might get these marginal batteries to last a few more months but I'm betting the dealer has already performed it.

On edit: Trojan batteries, OEM on most carts, have a mfg date code on the neg terminal. A-January, B=February, etc along with a number such as 2=2002

 

[jeffinsgf]

ToroRider,

Virtually all modern carts have intelligent chargers that will trickle charge or full charge as needed.

 

[Bentworker]

I'm partial to Yamaha carts.
They are tough, have a little dana spicer rear end (most brands use the same dana axle)
They have suspension that works, the only thing that seems to wear out are the kingpin bushings. The bushings are cheap and easy to replace.

I'd go for a used electric Yamaha G21 or G22.

Whatever cart you buy, take a good look underneath. Even an all aluminum cart can be destroyed in short order by wet turf and fertilizer day after day. My 97' Yamaha G21 electric was a rental cart for years before I bought it. I got a deal on it, but it was corrosion city. I tore it down to the frame, built new rockers for it out of 2X4X .120 wall tube, and made a new battery box for it. With a lift and 20" tires I beat the life out of it around my house on 6 steep wooded acres, and it just kept going. I even pulled out a bunch of manzanita with it.

Golf cart checklist.

1) Does it look tweaked?
2) How bad is the rust or corrosion?
3) Is the differential cover in good shape, and is the rear end quiet?
4) How old are the batteries? (shop around for new ones, price may vary)

Keep it in mind that by the time you get batteries, lift and tires on a nice used cart you may just want to spend a little more and buy a new Yamaha Pro Hauler for not much more if you can find a dealer that still has one (I think they have been discontinued). I knew of a dealer in Medford, Oregon that was going to sell me the smaller one (just a lifted golf car) for $4500 (new gas powered)

 

[wushaw]

Here is a few picts of mine. I am in the process of burning a stump, drinking beer and having a great Christmas day.

The Yamaha carts that Bentworker is talking about are good carts, we have them at work and EZ-GO, the Yamaha carts drive better and also have a better suspension for going faster since they are built more like a automobile.

It is said somewhere that the pecking order of golf carts goes as follows:

1. Club Car
2. Yamaha
3. EZ-GO

I really don't know since I have no experience with Club Cars.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

We have an older EZ-GO 36v with a lift kit and tires. I put new Napa batteries in it about about 3 years ago and so far so good. They cost only about $350 vs $500 for the Trojans.

My cart has given me a few issues all related to the cables. I went and bought some welding leads, good copper end eyelets, some heat shrink and some solder. Now, I make the cables up as I need them. The system seems to find the weakest link and corrodes the oldest eyelets. I just replace them when needed. I'm too cheap to buy a cable kit. Actually, I'd love to buy the "hop up" kit from Buggies unlimited but it costs about $1100 or so. It is due for a makeover, completely strip it, rebuild the battery frame box and restore it somewhat.

We also have an HPX Gator 2WD that belongs to my FIL. It is the workhorse. Drives like an old 1 ton truck compared to the cart. Cart gets used 80% of the time by me. It gets used 100% of the time by my wife. She doesn't like to have to start up the gator.

If I had hills to climb, I'd get a gas. My buddy has about $4500 wrapped up in a lifted gas with extra seating in back. Really nice except when it hits the rev limiter and falls on its face. It needs an adjustment or something.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I might add that I bought the vinyl zippered enclosure for my cart and except for the blurry vision, it makes winter time riding quite comfortable. Especially if its cold and windy.

 

[jinman]

Just west of the Bell Helicopter Plant in Hurst, Tx on Hwy 10, there is an EZ-Go distribution center (Textron owns both Bell and EZ-Go). When I drive by the distribution center, it makes my mouth water because they literally have about 5 acres of golf carts of every shape and size EZ-Go makes inside their fence.

 

[fleecerdog]

Here is a few picts of mine. I am in the process of burning a stump, drinking beer and having a great Christmas day.

The Yamaha carts that Bentworker is talking about are good carts, we have them at work and EZ-GO, the Yamaha carts drive better and also have a better suspension for going faster since they are built more like a automobile.

It is said somewhere that the pecking order of golf carts goes as follows:

1. Club Car
2. Yamaha
3. EZ-GO

I really don't know since I have no experience with Club Cars.

Hi Wushaw,
Your cart looks to be exactly what I have in mind to buy/build. Can you tell me your tire/wheel/lift combination? I have some short, steep hills on two-track to run and would really like to stay electric. My workers are a Ford 1910 and a Polaris 330 ... but an electric medium duty that I'll be driving in 20 minute spurts about 4 hours apart is my target.Thanx for any input you may offer. (also people mentioned 1 vs 2 wheel drive ... aren't the carts limited slip?)