Homemade "Z" lift built and a couple questions.

motorman3000

First off, sorry for the night picks. I have been debating on how to lift my 87' club car ds. Saw a few ideas and some people have given ideas. I tried a few things but nothing really satisfactory. After looking at a few of the homemade "Z" lifts, I decided to go for it today around 2 pm. A few hours, cutting, grinding and welding I ended up with what you see. I need to ad about 2" more to the rear now...lol. There are 2 supports going across for each "Z" for support. You can almost see 1 behind the tie rod.

Here are the questions I have:
For the front body where the shocks are, I am thinking about either trimming the "tabs" off and going that route OR cutting the entire front (where the bumper mounts) up about 10" or so straight across. Thoughts????

The steering column: How could I extend the column? I wasn't sure if it would NEED to be splined or not. I have a couple ideas but looking for others.

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BGW

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meimk

Many of the "Z" lifts I've seen used a piece of diamond plate or something similar to pretty up the gap for the front bumper area. Extending the steering shaft has normally been done with a second "U" joint coupler set - just stacking one on the other.

ericandrews331@msn.com

Lifts like this make me nervous no practical reason just that the stress points bother me without gussets

motorman3000

I hear ya. I stuck it together last night to see what it looked like. I have a few extras that I want to ad to it to finish it up. The gussets might be a little hard to ad but sitting here thinking about it, I think I may have come up with a solution. I have a better welder at work and I am going to use it to finish it up. I need to get longer 3/8's bolts to hold it to the frame. I only had 1" and they make it through but only have a couple of threads holding them. The horizontal tabs are 5/16" thick and the verticals are 3/8". I was afraid I wouldn't like it but I think it turned out pretty good.

lockman1

Maybe you could try cutting them out of one solid piece...
rather then welding pieces together and maybe having to add gussets!

Here's my factory Z lift: (note: doubled up on both sides of the I beams)

IMG_3020.JPG

Lynx Lift and supention 002.jpg

motorman3000

Yeah that would be better, BUT this is what I had on hand for steal. If I had a sheet of plate steel or even aluminium, I would cut it out of them. Maybe down the road I will find something, but for now I think this will do fine. Not like I am going to be jumping it, more like trail riding and flat road. Nothing extreme.

ericandrews331@msn.com

looks great and I am sure its good but I am sure my weld would be questionable

ErickO

I don't understand why you would do a Z lift it looks like an accident waiting to happen.

Skoal82

I have a cart with a z lift and it has held up for years but it is on both sides of the frame (4 pieces not 2). I would recommend making the inside ones also for you and your family's safety.

ericandrews331@msn.com

That's nice