Looking for a new project...need opinions on what to look for

67txcoupe

Traded off my golf cart and am looking to get another. I had an EZ-GO ST Series cart that originally came with a bed. It also had the 400cc Kawasaki motor with aftermarket clutch. It ran around 25-26 mph with me and the wife. I enjoyed the cart a bunch but someone made me an offer on it that I couldn't pass up. At some point I picked up an EZ-GO ST-480 (with the Vanguard motor) that had seen it's better days but it was FAST, smooth and I liked the real hydraulic brakes and bucket seats. I sold it....regret that decision.

My question is this. What to buy and why? Club Car, EZ-GO, Yamaha?? I plan on lifting it some and adding between 22-23" A/T tires. Gas motor is a must (my trips can be 15+ miles). I would love to find an ST480, remove the bed and add a rear seat but they are near impossible to find around here ...plus my budget has me around $5K. Use is a 60% street riding and 40% dirt roads. Ride is extremely important but not sure which rides the best. I'm in no way partial to any brand.

THANKS in advance for the input/advice.

BGW

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slonomo

It really depends on what look you are after, some people buy the cart that they like the "looks" of....as far as body shape etc.

As far as mechanically....I like the way the Yamaha's are built. They are well engineered and pretty beefy. The older ones had full tube frames with a arm suspensions. G2, G9, G16, G22. These are the popular ones. Look around, you should be able to find a pretty nice one for around $2000. There are kits that will allow you to mount the Vtwin or you can build your own much cheaper. A decent engine can be had for less than $500, and you can build the cradle for under $200 if you buy the mounting plate. Long travel suspension by Jakes is a good lift kit for $700, add $500 for wheels and tires. Should be able to do for less than $5k.

67txcoupe

Looks makes some difference but IMO, they all can look good with the right lift, wheels, tires. One thing I wasnt real fond of on my EZGO was the rough ride. Kinda hoping to rind one that rides a bit better. I was scanning the local classifieds today and ran across a 2002 Yamaha Cart that already has a 420cc Predator conversion. The guy said it is all done correctly and runs upwards of 40mph (way faster than I'll need to go). He said it has a CVT setup but also a chain that runs to the rearend? Seems weird but I'm new to carts. The pics he sent me of under the seat looks really clean. Anyways.....we settled on $1500 which sounds like a deal to me. Cart looks good, new seat but its on stock suspension, stock tires and I'll need to ad a rear seat for the kiddos.

67txcoupe

Thinking I'l buy it and upgrade the suspension, wheels, tires....will have plenty of money to work with

tjequip

Can you post some pics of the drive system?

slonomo

Wonder if it has reverse? It might be an electric cart that was converted go gas. If it has a gear on the rear end input shaft, it's likely an electric rear end and will not have reverse. Not sure why anyone would put a gear on a normal cvt setup. Might want to check on that before you buy it. If it's a gas rear end and has reverse, then you'll do ok paying $1500.

I'd recommend the Jake's long travel lift kit. It's a dual a arm front suspension and will ride softer than the stock setup and will look really cool! Off road you can't beat a dual a arm setup like that.