New to the carting world looking to go offroad

vartz04

I currently have a yamaha 225 dx three wheeler. Its fun but kinda hard to putt around with the girlfriend on the back behind me (just not comfortable and it makes the front end too light)

I never ride the thing to go fast so I was looking into what I could do to replace it as far as toys go. I think I have decided on a golf cart, lifted. Now here is where I need advice.

Whats the best cart to get that would be around $1000 stock

Should I go gas or electric. I do hunt so I think the stealth of the electric would be nice but im more worried about power. No extreme hills around here in IL but I want to be able to go on the trails I took the three wheeler through just doesn't have to go fast. As long as I could get the cart to go about 15 mph on 22" tires ill be happy.

As far as lift ammount, 4" or 6" to clear 22's?

Really trying to stay at $2000 or less invested when it is all said and done.

by the way the 3 wheeler is for sale in the chicago area if you are interested $600

BGW

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slonomo

Welcome to the site, you'll find everyone very helpful here.

As far as a recommendation, obviously you have done some homework so I'll make this short.

Gas vs Electric depends on your preference, mine is gas because I can work on gas engines and I love the sound. Electric is good because it's very quiet and never needs adjusted, although modifying for more speed can be expensive and batteries cost a good penny these days. But if you buy one in running condition you don't need to worry too much.

Buy on condition. Buy the nicest cart you can afford. Look around this site to find out which ones you like the looks of best. Also supply is an issue. Some areas have more of one brand or another for different reasons. You might even find a member on this site that has one for sale?

Go 6" Jake's lift with 22" tires. You will get max ground clearance and cool looks and the ability to drive on trails and light off road. Jake's makes a good lift.

Man for $2000 you should be able to buy one already lifted with tires and wheels if you look around and aren't "too" picky. My preference is the Yamaha carts, I currently have a G1 and love it, it's a 2 stroke tank. I have owned an EZGO in the past and liked it too. I'm not a Club Car fan but they have a good following as well. I'd stay with one of those three brands.

Good luck and have fun!

vartz04

looking to build it myself cause I don't want to sink the $2000 all at once.

So there is zero difference in lets say climbing hills between the gas and electric?

Unforgiven

Looks like you need inspiration,....plenty of budget builds here
http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/membe...boy-carts.html
I would start with craiges list in your area. Advertise your Yama as a trade for a fixer-upper,....you would be surprised that people have carts sitting around that all they want is someone to come get,... with little work you will have a runner. I saw one other day for cheap that i bet all it need was water in the batteries and a good charging.

vartz04

yeah been searching for a while now lots of little stuff I just am looking to get rid of the yamaha first and then buy the cart. I don't have room for both to be in the garage so for now I am ust gathering info.

I saw that thread and that is exactly the kind of cart I plan to build thank you though.

so as far as going through various lightly rutted trails that have some hills electric or gas it doesn't matter? its like ford or chevy?

Unforgiven

I prefer a gasser but,....all I have ever owned was a gas burner.

I've seen both electric and gasers pulling front tires off ground,....

any electric beater you get will sooner or later need new batteries ($600)

gas burners cluthes get wet in harsh conditions and slip(or some do)

keep shoping and looking. Whatever you get i garrentee with time and money y'all will have loads of fun.

vartz04

ive found a bunch like this for +-300 of this price. http://lasalle.craigslist.org/for/2767872201.html

should work well for my needs, ezgo has the cheapest lift kits to start off with (probably end up going with a long travel eventually but for now just want it to be useable) the whole battery thing is exactly what worries me. I could rebuild the engine and get lift/tires for $600.

TROUBADOUR

I prefer gas ... Yamaha! I use mine checking fence lines, changing irrigation lines, checking cattle, running the hills and trails here on the ranch. I always figure it's easier to carry a pint of gas than it is to carry 4 or 6 heavy batteries! And my gas Yamaha is easy to work on ... and QUIET!. Probably not quite a quiet as a "sparkie", but nearly so. The noise of cracking limbs and brush is about the loudest noise it makes ... and an electric would make the same noise!
Buy one like is in the ad and for well under $2K you could have a great cart! Tires/wheels and small lift (build it yourself?) and you'd be into it for under $1K!

slonomo

Be careful. If you are planning on going long travel the early EZGO's don't have any kits and you will have to fab one....but sometimes that's half the fun!

Sound's like you'd be better off with a gas model. If you want to go off road and up hills then I'd say gas because you can run it all day long. The electric will run out of juice and if you're out in the sticks...man that's a long push.

You are going to want a secondary clutch kit like Plowman's has, that will give you plenty of low end for climbing and crawling. I just put one on my cart and it's great!

vartz04

can't find what you are talking about by searching for him but im guessing you mean a spring kit for the clutch? or maybe a whole new clutch with a different angle?

and the long travel will probably not happen, i think a 4-6" lift and 22" tires is going to get me almost anywhere id need to go. any more than that its gonna be me on a 4x4 quad or utv.