Picked up yet another cart but....

Kal

I just picked up another club car yesterday (), an '88 if I read the tag right. I was turning the steering wheel and the whole front nose was buckling so I took a peak under it and from what I could see the welds holding the frame to the floor in the front are broken, the frame support piece on the drivers side is completely broken, and a few other odds and ends are broken. My question is: Can they be welded up and be considered safe, especially if it would get a lift and maybe a power upgrade, or is it better off being used as a parts cart for my '85? I don't have any pictures of it yet but the cart overall is rough. The body has stress cracks, breaks, and a couple holes here and there, electrical is questionable since there is no batteries and I can't test it, and the rest is kinda questionable.

BGW

__________________
This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Buggies Gone Wild Golf Cart Forum

physcoflip

With everything wrong you are probably better off using it as a parts cart. If everything is straight it could be welded( if you have the equipment to weld aluminum) but if that many welds are broke I bet they crashed hard and bent alot of it.

Kal

That's what I was wondering. I can't weld aluminum but I know a couple of people who can. It might cost me around $100 to get it all welded up but I can't help but wonder what they did to this thing to cause all that damage. It's like they took it off a jump and forgot they weren't supposed to do that. I'm going to take some pictures this weekend of it so you all can see what I'm talking about. I was in such a rush when I brought it home I didn't have time.

ClubCarDude

PARTS lol

scotter

The floor can be re-supported to the rockers using alum angle and rivets. the Firewall supports can be re-welded. Typically, the Firewall has shifted (leaned) forward due to using the front as a footrest, or because the supports have busted out the welds. Check the I-beam frame in front of the firewall, especially by shock tower bolts. If its been that abused, might have cracked or broken the frame. All can be fixed. However, if your '85 frame is in better shape, the '88 might be better utilized as a parts donator. Got the t-shirt.

Kal

That's one of the things I think broke in half was the firewall support on the drivers side. One of the others with a broken weld is a round shaft that's horizontal, I think its for the brake pedal. I'm leaning towards parts cart. I don't think I could turn around and fix it up and sell it in good conscience even if it was safe after welding. The frame on the '85 is much better, but its a coin toss to see which body is in better shape.

scotter

Fiberglass can be repaired (you can do it). Sanding and paint prep (you can do it). You could replace fiberglass body with the '93-up DS ArmourFlex body. Might need minor fitment. bottom line, you can do it!

Kal

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I would like to put a newer body on the '85 but its a trick to get one. I'm going to have to repair the old ones.

scotter

Check the dealers in your area for used rear body and front cowl. You can always "wrap" the body!

Kal

Wrap as in graphic paper stick on stuff? I might put an ad on craigslist for a good body, the only dealer that I can think of that might have one caters to a local guy who buys and sells used carts so I don't have much of a shot.