Help with marathon front end swap

Morgan44 · 07-16-2015, 10:03 PM

I want to upgrade my 88 front end to a newer version if possible. I'm not familiar with newer ezgo's really. I do know that the newer front ends have more ground clearance because the spindles come straight out as opposed to mine sitting on top of the axle. I think the steering set up is different. Is it possible to make this switch without a major overhaul, or has anyone tried it?

TheGDFP · 07-16-2015, 10:46 PM

I'm in the middle of that swap right now. I cut the ends off and welded channel in place, to emulate the newer ones. Linkages may require some tweaking but it's mocking up fine.

Morgan44 · 01-23-2016, 09:46 PM

I'm bringing back an old thread. Has anyone done this? Maybe upgraded to a newer ezgo one? I'm thinking about mounting a snow plow but I need more clearance under my miserably low current front axle. There's gotta be a way. Tell me what you got? I thought about trying to fab something up, but the steering isn't to far above the axle and I would struggle with that part I think.

TomStark · 01-23-2016, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morgan44

I'm bringing back an old thread. Has anyone done this? Maybe upgraded to a newer ezgo one? I'm thinking about mounting a snow plow but I need more clearance under my miserably low current front axle. There's gotta be a way. Tell me what you got? I thought about trying to fab something up, but the steering isn't to far above the axle and I would struggle with that part I think.

My friend bought one of the newer front axles, like you said with the spindles out the ends instead of welded on top, gives a 3 inch lift. He got it on ebay for $100 complete, steering hooked up no problem.
I made my own, I bought some steel (forget the size, 2x3 or 2x4) and cut and welded, etc, works great. the easiest way would be buy the ebay front end.
Oh, and if you do like I did, you need to cut the spindles and make them squre to the king pins, and reweld them, if you don't you will have positive camber like no one's business!

Tom

Morgan44 · 01-23-2016, 10:46 PM

What year ezgo is your friends? Any idea specifically which front end he bought?

TomStark · 01-23-2016, 10:49 PM

Here are some pics I found that shows the front axle, and the mod I did to the steering arm. I shortened the arm, and I flipped the one end upside down, so that it works well with the lift.
Tom

1989Marathon · 01-23-2016, 10:57 PM

Morgan, do you have a pic of your front axle?

Morgan44 · 01-23-2016, 11:08 PM

I can get some.

Morgan44 · 01-23-2016, 11:25 PM

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

racin161 · 01-24-2016, 12:04 PM

You may try this

4 years ago.

07-16-2015, 10:03 PM	#1
Morgan44 Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 690	Help with marathon front end swap I want to upgrade my 88 front end to a newer version if possible. I'm not familiar with newer ezgo's really. I do know that the newer front ends have more ground clearance because the spindles come straight out as opposed to mine sitting on top of the axle. I think the steering set up is different. Is it possible to make this switch without a major overhaul, or has anyone tried it?
Morgan44 Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 690

07-16-2015, 10:46 PM	#2
TheGDFP Gone Wild Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Flint, MI, USA Posts: 656	Re: Help with marathon front end swap I'm in the middle of that swap right now. I cut the ends off and welded channel in place, to emulate the newer ones. Linkages may require some tweaking but it's mocking up fine.

01-23-2016, 09:46 PM	#3
Morgan44 Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 690	Re: Help with marathon front end swap I'm bringing back an old thread. Has anyone done this? Maybe upgraded to a newer ezgo one? I'm thinking about mounting a snow plow but I need more clearance under my miserably low current front axle. There's gotta be a way. Tell me what you got? I thought about trying to fab something up, but the steering isn't to far above the axle and I would struggle with that part I think.
Morgan44 Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 690

01-23-2016, 10:46 PM	#5
Morgan44 Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 690	Re: Help with marathon front end swap What year ezgo is your friends? Any idea specifically which front end he bought?
Morgan44 Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 690

01-23-2016, 10:57 PM	#7
1989Marathon Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 6,730	Re: Help with marathon front end swap Morgan, do you have a pic of your front axle?
1989Marathon Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 6,730

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01-23-2016, 11:08 PM	#8
Morgan44 Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 690	Re: Help with marathon front end swap I can get some.
Morgan44 Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 690

01-23-2016, 11:25 PM	#9
Morgan44 Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 690	Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Morgan44 Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 690

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