G22 vs G29

Alphathump

I'm Back.........

More looking over the weekend and I have found a guy with multiple carts for sale; he gets them from a local dealer as golf course returns it appears. Regardless, after my last inquiry here led me to consider a newer model cart with less time and (presumably) mileage on it, I'm back asking about a G22 vs a G29. Both are stock carts and have been supposedly checked out. I haven't seen either yet, but I have seen pictures on Craig's List (ain't technology wonderful?) Regardless of which cart I get, I will proceed to lift it, add 23" tires and a rear seat almost immediately and may ultimately look at upgrading the engine and drive. That said, the options are to get a 2006 G22 or a 2008 G29 (Yamaha Drive) for an additional $400. It appears that lift kits and rear seats are no issue to get (no idea where the best prices are yet; that's another thread shortly) for either model, but is it worth the additional $400 to get a 2 year newer cart with Yamaha's latest stuff? Did the design change and if so, was it for the better or just to make it cheaper. I've looked at the Yamaha timeline link above, but that is marketing speak and I can't tell if the cart changed and if so, was it for the better?

Also, neither cart has lights installed; how hard/expensive will this be?

Thanks for any feedback. Once I learn something, I'll look forward to passing whatever I learn along to anyone who knows less than I do. Right now, that's a very short list.

BGW

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smallblock450sl

I've been with Yamaha golf cars long enough to see the intruduction of G1's in 1979 to "The Drive" in 2007. Hope the Yamaha "head cheeses" aren't reading this,but "The Drive" (till 2010) had some real issues, just like any other new car/cart introduced. I recommend the G22, but you will need to deal with the "super soft" coil over shocks when adding a rear faceing seat assy. Just my 2 cents worth.

shmo

I'll go a step farther and say; There will be an issue with adding a rear facing seat and 23" tall tires, at least on a G22. I am not familiar enough with the drive to say whether the same problem exists. On my G22 I have installed 23" tall tires with a 6 inch lift. With only 2 riders I will get the occasional tire rubbing. Just something to be aware of.

SHMO

Alphathump

Thanks for the advice. I will move forward with the G22 and plan to use the additional $ on heavy duty rear springs and shocks; I assume one of the site sponsors sells them and they are readily available. From what I've been able to determine, the lift kit to use is Jakes and the wheels/tires are just wherever I find something I like. The rear seat is available anywhere it appears; is there anything to beware of here? I see that Golf Cart Trader.com has 18 different rear seat set-ups (really), so there are bound to be options out there. Any preferences for vendors that know what they're doing, have good pricing and customer support for when something goes wrong?

I'll keep all posted on the progress, but I will probably pick it up on Saturday and start ordering parts on Saturday night.

Smallblock (chevy?)/SHMO,
I really appreciate the time and effort you take to reply and I have read your other replies concerning issues with Yamaha carts. I don't know much, but I can tell that you do and ignoring your well considered responses is done at my own peril.

AT

shmo

This is my personal opinion, so take it for what it is worth. I have used Jakeslifts, and I have had a great experience dealing with them every time. They have top notch customer service and build good quality components. With that said, I was not happy with the spindle lift they offered for the G22. The control arm lift for my G19 was great, their long travel kit is awesome, the spindle lift not so much. If you will be using your cart for mainly offroad use, then maybe it wouldn't be as much of a concern. However, I found the spindle lift on the street to have some awkward geometry. The steering would not even remotely correct itself back to center after turning sharp and the wear placed upon the tires was excessive. I decided to remove it completely and go with one of their long travel kits. I couldn't be happier. Again, take that for what it is worth. Some guys absolutely love the spindle lifts, perhaps you will too.

SHMO

shmo

Jakes will also have the heavier rear coils you will need.

http://www.jakesliftkits.com/liftkit...S%20YA0%20REAR

SHMO

smallblock450sl

Just to add some light on the steering situation between G19 and G22's, lifted or stock. All Yamaha's up to the G22's used worm shaft/pitman steering and they would self center after a turn. G22's and up use rack & pinion steering and as Shmo said, they will not "correct" to center after a turn.

Alphathump

I don't want to attack the messenger, but how does the long travel kit affect this issue differently? It would seem to me to be a geometry issue in that caster (or toe in) may affect as well. I went to the jakes site and it looks like the LT kit has new upper and lower front A arms along with tie-rod ends. I guess when they revise these parts they can change the caster in the system and that makes it better. I am familiar with R&P steering as well as worm gear stuff and I know that RP is more precise and offers better feedback in cars. I really didn't want to spend the additional $500 for long travel, but if it is an issue I'd rather spend the money up front to do it right and not worry about stability with 23 inch tires and my kids are on it.

Getting in to it already and i don't have the cart yet. I spoke to the guy this morning and confirmed the purchase for pick-up on Saturday. $2,000 is where we are and that seems fair compared to what I have found out there. I found a lifted cart with 23 inch tires and a rear seat for $4,200 and I figure I can do this one for less than that if I don't do the LT suspension. Even then, I'll be close. Where is the best place to get seats, tires, etc?

shmo

True, but the spindle lift alters that considerably. The lift spindles have a forward offset on them, giving you an extra inch or so of wheelbase. That offset drastically alters the steering geometry. It changes the Kingpin inclination, the scrub radius, the caster, etc. In lay mans terms, the tires will have a tendency to Swing in an arc rather then pivot and turn along the same path. This causes the inside tire (during a turn) to be driven into the ground much harder than the outside. The opposite holds true for the outside tire that more or less just skips along. It's technical, but what you will experience when turning a sharp corner is that you will have to FORCE the steering wheel to turn straight again. You will also experience much faster tire wear on hard surfaces. It is just a poor design, but not really in regards to Jake's ability to build great suspensions. The only reason it is done this way is to gain additional clearance for larger tires. There is no other way to accomplish it with a spindle lift. For a cart that is used offroad, it isn't much of an issue. For a cart that you wish to have steer and handle nicely on hard surfaces, it's a completely different story.

In this pic you can see how the spindle id offset to the front, right at the king pin location.



Disclaimer:
I am what some might consider "anal". Tons of people have enjoyed spindle lifts for years and years before I came along. They are strong and do serve the function of lifting your cart easily for larger tires. And after all, these are Golf carts, not Indy cars...haha

shmo

If this cart is in good condition, you are getting a more than fair deal. And, you are right in thinking that you can customize it for less than $4,200.

In regards to the long travel that Jake's offers, it is a completely different animal. A stock cart has a very simple suspension design with hardly any suspension travel. Everything, except for "toe", is non adjustable on a stock cart. With Jakes long travel setup, you are getting a true double A-arm suspension. It allows for the camber, caster, toe, ride height, suspension rate, track width, etc. to be adjusted and tailored to suit you. It increases the wheelbase several inches. It also allows for drastically more suspension travel. Keep in mind, Jakes long travel is MUCH wider than a spindle lift. Your tires will stick out from the body. If you use your cart a lot in wet environments, and you wish to stay completely dry, this is a concern. Fender flares are available. To make the cart look proportioned, wheel spacers are often used on the rear to balance things out. This wider width, increased wheelbase and the combination of better steering and suspension geometry makes for a much more stable vehicle. To decide if the additional price is worth it is a question you will have to answer for yourself.

SHMO


Here is a spindle lift on a G22


Compare the width to a Long travel