Need advice on an off-road cart

coosa

I've been running what is probably the ugliest cart of anyone that has ever visited this site. Doubt it? Take a look:





It is a 1984 EZGO resistor cart that I bought in 1998 and turned into a farm vehicle. The truck bed gave it a lot of versatility, and I've used it for all sorts of tasks around the farm. Unfortunately, the frame finally rusted in half and it has collapsed so that the batteries almost drag the ground. Keeping a resistor cart running for 16 years has been an adventure, so maybe its time to step up from the 1940s technology to something a little newer.

I've done several hours of research, talked to several cart salesmen, and am completely lost. I don't wanta buy a new $8k off-road vehicle. It sits at the farm all the time and is vulnerable to being stolen. I doubt that anyone wanted my resistor cart and never worried about it, but I'd hate to leave a nice one there. Also, the old resistor cart with its weak motor still had plenty of power to do everything I needed from it. I don't own but 400 acres, and this cart could take me from one end to the other in a few minutes.

There is a cart dealer close by that says he will fix up anything I want. I want some kind of cart with a lift kit, 22" tires, and an upgraded controller. He has a 2010 PDS for $2550 as the base price before any of the modifications. Would this make a decent cart to replace what I have? I just bought a new set of batteries and would like to be able to use them in the new cart. Every cart salesman says I need to go to 48 volts, but 36 volts has worked fine for me. Are the controller carts going to be so different that I really need 48 volts?

Any ideas would be appreciated. I'd really be thankful if those of you that know about such things would take a look at my old cart and consider which of the newer models would make a good replacement.

Thanks for any help!

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

Mudhill

It's not UGLY at all! Just has a lot of character.

chloe

You could keep your current cart and all it's, "character", by converting your old system to a newer version. Scotty B sells a couple kits that might suit you.

http://www.cartsunlimited.net/Scotty...rsion_Kit.html

The lift would be additional, of course. But the total cost would be considerably less than the over all cost of anything the dealer is offering you.

BTW, how are you charging that thing?

coosa

chloe - I would love to just fix it, but the frame around the batteries has completely rusted in 2. My son-in-law told me a buddy of his could weld it back together and wouldn't charge him. He completely ruined any hope of getting it fixed; welded it back together with the frame in a v-shaped angle so that it barely clears the ground. Its impossible to load it on a trailer without a strong man to help. Plus, he did something to it to make it run at only half speed. Probably messed up the coil, but I haven't had time to look at it. I think its time to replace it. I had looked at Scotty's kits just a few months ago, but I knew the frame was in bad shape and the cart was just not worth upgrading.

I was charging by removing the seat and plugging it in, but actually fixed that a while back.

It really doesn't need lifting. I got it stuck a number of times over the years, but it was always the rear axle that was grounded. Tin snips were a lot cheaper than a lift kit. :)

Thanks for the reply.

JohnnieB

A PDS is more of an On-Road cart than an Off-Road cart and there aren't many controller upgrade options for a 2010 48V PDS cart. My guess is that a series cart (Series wound motor) would be best for your application.

A lift kit raises the center or gravity and reduces lateral stability while 22" tires only increases ground clearance at the axles by 2" and reduces the available torque by about 20%.

If I was faced with replacing the "Black Beauty" pictured and use the new 36V battery pack that is in it, I'd probably start with an older (2009 or earlier) TXT (Plastic body) 36V series drive cart with bad or no batteries, replace the stock controller with an Altrax AXE or SPM controller in the 400A to 500A range along with upgrading the high current cables and solenoid to handle the higher amps, and would work at 36V to 48V. Then when it was time to replace the battery pack, I'd have the option of going to 42V or 48V with just the cost of a new battery charger.

cgtech

Ugly, Ha! I like it. That thing is the epitome of farm cruiser! Its a shame its finally done-for. damm-right its got a gun rack.

branson

that cart looks good to me, the frame must be pretty bad if you can't fix it

coosa

Many thanks! Exactly the kind of info I wanted!

Yes, its a shame its gotta be junked. The frame is rusted and completely broken apart of a distance of several inches on each side. A good welder could possibly fix it by scabbing a lot of metal on the bottom side, but I don't own a welder and it would be expensive to patch it. And there are other places that would eventually rust through as well.

And honestly, I'm kinda tired of working on it. It takes a lot of maintenance to keep a resistor cart running, especially when its used off road.

Thanks for all the replies!

chloe

Johnnie B has offered the next best option. Look through Craiglist in your area. There is always someone who has an older TXT with bad batteries.

pachanga90

Where are you located,I'm sure a member here could help you get the chassis fixed,and assist with upgrades.If you were near here,Bring it in,I'm cheap-help,I work for food!!