new to club car 1999 DS questions about lifting /kits

nwocart

Just moved from the ezgo world to the club car world. picked up a 1999 club car DS. Looks to be factory four seater with the long top and leaf springs in the rear (it was a tourist rental). Nice cart but I am going to be lifting it.

checking out the steeleng kits on ebay for about $220.
STEELENG 6" lift


Is there an advantage to doing this a-arm kit vs the spindle kits that are available? I have the ability and tools to install so I'm not worried about that, just don't want to spend extra money if I don't need to and this a-arm kit is reasonably priced.

Has anybody used these kits? are they decent kits? I just saw this post and I dont quite understand what the issue is since I don't have the lift kit in front of me. Am I better off going with a lift that I don't need to order extra parts for? I just want to order once and be done if I can. But I'm not sure if the issue that guy is having is happening to everyone lifting their DS with that kit or just some random issue?

what is the best route for price and simplicity?

Also, did all of these carts have rear leaf springs? and were they all aluminum frame? I came from ezgo marathons with coil springs in the rear and steel frames so I wasnt sure if the leaf springs and aluminum are average or only because this was a factory four seat cart

thanks

BGW

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Mooncarter

I'm not much help with the lift. But yes all of them have leaf springs and aluminum frames.

nwocart

Good to know. thanks for the info didn't want to buy a lift kit for the wrong type of springs. thanks

BBBHC

I can't speak to the Steeleng kit. Generally speaking, a-arm lift kits are superior to spindle lift kits. Better suspension and more durable. The question is really what are you wanting. If you are not going to be off road with the cart you may not need/want to spend the extra coin on the a-arm lift.

nwocart

just use my golf cart around the property / camping once or twice a year. probably split between off road / on road 50/50

CP241

I have the steeling kit on my carryall (even though it says it won't fit carryall). It's definitely high quality and very heavy duty. The installation instructions pretty much suck but if you're halfway familiar around a toolbox it's not a hard installation if you use a little common sense to decrypt the install instructions.

For the price you really can't beat it. I like it enough I just ordered another one for my DS last night :) The only complaint I have about it is the cheesy "SGC" skid plate/brush guard in the front is thin and weak and cheesy. But it does keep long grass and stuff from getting tangled up in the front suspension.


Only advice I have, the installation instructions say you don't have to remove the front cowl to install it. Ignore that note, take 10-15 minutes and remove the front cowl. You'll thank me later when you're not trying to reach into tight places to access the nuts and bolts.

nwocart

Thanks, this is all good information. have you heard of the issue the guy is having in that thread I linked to? Sounds like the steeleng kits are the way to go.

nwocart

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jakes-Econo...frcectupt=true


also have seen these jakes "economy" lifts...... how do these install? it says it extends my wheel base and you have to cut the frame... seems like more of a pain in the *** for less lift.

was thinking 4" possibly just in case a 6" would be too unstable or tipsy

CP241

The Jake's economy lift looks what's known as a "Z" lift. When done correctly they're quite strong and work well. But I'd be afraid to cut the frame in half to install it personally....

I've not driven a DS with the 6" lift (yet... hopefully will this weekend though, it's supposed to arrive on Thursday from SGC) but my carryall (turf 2, longer wheelbase than a DS) has no stability issues at all. I really can't imagine a DS would be that much different though, tons and tons of people have a 6" lift on a DS with no problems. But just have to use common sense as well.

The shocks on my DS (2002) are the type with a straight threaded shaft at the top and the bottom, same as my Carryall. (in the picture on the left) There's a hole in the mounting plate for the leaf springs for the shock to bolt to. All you have to do is look under the cart, if it looks like the shock on the left, you're good. If you have one like on the right I think I have seen an adapter kit, but can't remember for sure.

https://www.steelenggolfcart.com/col...r-ds-1982-2003

CP241

And all club cars have aluminum frames. All DS have leaf springs in the rear. I don't know of a DS that came with a "factory" rear seat, most of them are added on. unless you're talking about a transporter/limo type?