Cheap cart fart

Xtreme Cartz

This cart I bought last year for $50. The previous owner had given up on it after the cart caught on fire. I started on it but got preoccupied with other projects. Anyway, I just came across a good deal on a new engine w/ 2 year warranty from Harbor Freight so I snatched it up and decided to resurrect the old buggie.






I wanted to turn this into a utility cart, so I removed the melted rear body and built a flat bed frame.

BGW

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carolinasled

What size is the new engine?

Xtreme Cartz

The next project to tackle was building the suspension.
I went for an 8" drop, moved 3" foward and 6" wider custom long travel with air shocks. I used 2" square tubing 11ga. for the drop sub frame.



Breaking in the new chop saw. I love it!! I'm use to cutting metal with only the angle grinder. Angle grinders are handy and all but it's almost impossible to get a straight cut on a 4 sided tube with one.






I planned on mounting the control arms by sliding them into the 2" square tubing. Turned out that the ID of the tube was not enough. In order to make this work I welded 1/4" flat bar on the sides of the tube and the arms fit perfectly now. Later on, I boxed in the top of the flat bars for strength and then ground down the welds to make it look like it is 1 piece. I need to go back and weld in gussets over those before calling it finished.













And there it is on 26" Mudlites. The cool thing about this suspension setup is down the road sometime the stock control arms can be swaped out with Jakes 6" lower arms.

Xtreme Cartz

It's 390cc 13hp.

Xtreme Cartz

I'm still working on adding more gussets and need to build the winch mount. Also on the top portion of the lift I''m going to weld in a 2.5" angle to cover the square tubing holes. This might be where I end up mounting the winch.


The tie rods were too short so I had to cut and weld in extensions.



Last but not least, the 13hp engine. Yes I know, China and Honda. But honestly, I don't see these as bad engines for the price. I picked this one up at Harbor Freight and it actually has a 2 year full replacement warranty. They might not be able to compete with a big block but they really do have decent torque and are quick reving, speedy little things. I use to have one in my Arctic Cart for a short time and dayumn I was impressed. It was very reliable, starts good everytime and runs strong. Also has plenty of power to do donuts in the grass.

Xtreme Cartz

Making the motor mounts out of 2'' 11ga tubing.








Engine mounted, fits nice without any clearance issues.





Notice how the engine sits level while the swing arm is still at a steep angle for max ground clearance.





Next thing is to stretch the wheel base by moving the rear axle back with a new cross member.


The Gabriel Highjackers

Xtreme Cartz

Here are some pictures from todays ride. I hope there's no such thing as a "break in period" for this engine because I showed no mercy while hammering on it for hours today in the mud!! I was blown away at how much power it has and how well it performs. That little Chinese engine has the power to slam you back into the seat even with those 26" mudders.
The fast revving "honda", the suspension that just soaks up any rough terrain and only being $700 down makes the fun factor for this thing pretty incredible.

I know these 13hp Chinese engines have received a lot of critisism but I'm determined to see how they really do. I had one of these engines in another cart for a short time and was amazed by it back then. So far this seems to be my most reliable engine yet. I'll keep everyone updated on how this engine holds up as I get more miles on it.

Xtreme Cartz

Xtreme Cartz

Some videos playing in the mud.

carolinasled

Wow, That sure does look like fun. Those "Honda Clones" Arent bad engines at all. I had a honda gx200 clone, I bought it off ebay and the TAV2 bolted to it used to throw the barstool on its rear wheels all the time.

How much did the engine run you?

Videos dont seem to work for me, They are sending me to the main Photobucket page.