From the ashes - Rebuild cart that caught fire

BrandonTX · 09-19-2018, 02:08 PM

Hey all. New to the cart world and this forum has been an amazing resource.

Have wanted a golf cart for years for hunting and just general cruising, lately started actively looking. I wanted to stay cheap and wanted a bit of a project. One of my good friends has experience with rebuilds (later found out he’s a member here) and he helped me find this beauty.

1998 EZGO TXT
Guy’s daughters tried to prop an umbrella between the seats to give them some shade while playing on the back seat. Umbrella shorted the batteries and you know the rest.

Thought I would start a thread to track my build since I love seeing other people do the same. Also love advice so I don’t screw up too much.

kgsc · 09-19-2018, 02:13 PM

Looks like most of the fire was contained in the back center of the battery compartment. Did any wires by the controller get damaged?

BrandonTX · 09-19-2018, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgsc

Looks like most of the fire was contained in the back center of the battery compartment. Did any wires by the controller get damaged?

It was contained. Three batteries are shot but the other three are fine. The only wires that were damaged were the ones connecting the batteries.
I went ahead and ordered a 2 gauge wire kit so will still be scrapping the ones that lived.
Controller, solenoid and motor are all fine.

BrandonTX · 09-19-2018, 02:29 PM

So my plans:
Short term to get it rolling
-replace body kit
-replace batteries and wiring to 2awg
-redo seats - new foam and upholstery
-pray that nothing else is wrong

Long term goals.
-6” lift - and upgrade suspension
-All terrain tires and 10”wheels
-bigger controller
-Deluxe light kit (and other things to make it street legal)
-Bluetooth audio and a couple speakers (nothing wild, just to make mama happy)
-upgrade steering wheel

BrandonTX · 09-19-2018, 02:37 PM

I bought a used body kit - got a used 2015 TXT body and pretty excited about it.

Got it sanded down. There were no big nicks and the small ones I was able to sand and feather them in. Used 600 grit wet/dry sand paper to get it ready for paint.

Painted the body metallic silver. I’m going for a Silver/Black theme. Still needs some wet sanding to eliminate some orange peel and clear coat. Just literally waiting for paint to dry/cure.

Sideways · 09-19-2018, 07:34 PM

Looks good so far.

BrandonTX · 09-26-2018, 08:17 PM

Got batteries and new wires installed. Took a full charge and was able to take it for a little test run. Runs well, so no major fixes needed for now.
Took off the roof and rear seat (even got a nice little gash on the bridge of my nose from the rear seat)

Body removal will start tomorrow and hopefully will have the new skin on this weekend.

Wow a good paint finish takes forever. I keep seeing little imperfections to wet sand out and refinish. Have one little clear coat run to fix and hopefully that will be it.

Anyone ever build their own battery access cover? Contemplating building one, but don’t know if I want to just make it look nice or something that can hold a couple marine speakers. Ideas appreciated!

Dennisneri · 09-27-2018, 04:15 AM

carefull with rear seat they can be a killar ?? ha looks good so far thanks for the story

CP241 · 09-27-2018, 09:12 AM

Buy a rivet kit if you haven't already. they're about 12 bucks on ebay and should have every rivet you need to put it all back together. Much easier than trying to source them all individually.

BrandonTX · 09-27-2018, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CP241

Buy a rivet kit if you haven't already. they're about 12 bucks on ebay and should have every rivet you need to put it all back together. Much easier than trying to source them all individually.

Thanks! Have it sitting on my work bench along with a new rivet gun. My old one didn’t have the ability to change for a couple of the bigger rivets.

09-19-2018, 02:13 PM	#2
kgsc Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Aiken, SC Posts: 13,187	Re: From the ashes - Rebuild cart that caught fire Looks like most of the fire was contained in the back center of the battery compartment. Did any wires by the controller get damaged?

09-19-2018, 02:29 PM	#4
BrandonTX Not Yet Wild Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Aledo, TX Posts: 20	Re: From the ashes - Rebuild cart that caught fire So my plans: Short term to get it rolling -replace body kit -replace batteries and wiring to 2awg -redo seats - new foam and upholstery -pray that nothing else is wrong Long term goals. -6” lift - and upgrade suspension -All terrain tires and 10”wheels -bigger controller -Deluxe light kit (and other things to make it street legal) -Bluetooth audio and a couple speakers (nothing wild, just to make mama happy) -upgrade steering wheel

09-19-2018, 07:34 PM	#6
Sideways Gone Wild Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 690	Re: From the ashes - Rebuild cart that caught fire Looks good so far.
Sideways Gone Wild Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 690

09-27-2018, 04:15 AM	#8
Dennisneri Gone Wild Join Date: May 2013 Location: Pendelton NY ( F cuomo) Posts: 923	Re: From the ashes - Rebuild cart that caught fire carefull with rear seat they can be a killar ?? ha looks good so far thanks for the story

09-27-2018, 09:12 AM	#9
CP241 Nincompoop village idiot Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,690	Re: From the ashes - Rebuild cart that caught fire Buy a rivet kit if you haven't already. they're about 12 bucks on ebay and should have every rivet you need to put it all back together. Much easier than trying to source them all individually.

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