My 2001 EZ-Go PDS Build: Stock to Lifted Hunting / Neighborhood Cart

NickS

Decided I was going to start my build thread to keep track of the progress on the cart. I bought the cart a month ago from a guy on CL for $500. He said that it needed new batteries or a new charger. After seeing that it sat outside under a patio for a year and a half (plus there wasn't a drop of water in the batteries), I figured out what the problem was.

My plans are to make a hunting cart / neighborhood cart to ride around on. I have a four wheeler, so I wasn't interested in a gas one, plus I wanted to build one on a budget. The plans are:


[X] Clean and wax everything from bottom up
[ ] ITP Wheels and some aggressive tires
[X] Jakes 6" Axle lift
[X] Paint the body
[ ] Utiliity Bed (for hunting dog to ride in)
[ ] Brush Guard with off road lights
[ ] Gun Rack
[ ] Radio
[ ] LED Lights
[ ] Wetlands Camo seat cover
[X] Speed Chip





Here it is the day I bought it. It sat for a year and a half without moving. It had some pretty deep scratches down the side, seat need a good scrubbing, and had a few "wildlife" nests up under seat and front cowl. I bought brand new batteries, and it drives just fine.












I originally wanted to wrap the cart in vinyl, but decided against it. Main reason was price (up to $300), plus I wasn't sure about the over lapping and cuts that had to be stuffed up under the seat. I didn't want to pay for a good paint job, because I would be worried about scratches, plus I'm trying to do most of the stuff on a budget while still turning out making it look nice. It is a hunting cart also, so I wanted it to be rugged and different from a lot of other carts. I decided to Herculine the body. I found it at the Auto parts store on sale this month for $69.99. I was concerned with it sticking, but preped the body very good. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.











I cleaned and waxed the body after I first got it, so here is about the only shot I have of it cleaned up as I was taking it apart to Herculine it.












The Herculiner went on well (so well, that I think I'm going to buy some more before it goes off sale and do my truck bed). I put two coats on, and this stuff is impossible to scratch. I just sanded the body down with some scotch brite pads and cleaned them with Acetone. Two coats on top and bottom of body, and there is still 1/3 of the can left.

Click here for the write up I did when I Herculined the body.



















Got the body and cart put back together for a little while. Like I said, I couldn't believe how well It turned out. It looks like it is going to hold up really good, and it is definitely different from other carts. I'm thinking about doing the roof also. Still have to go back and put the side panels on the floor.

BGW

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NickS

Got the Jake's 6" Axle lift in and found some free HD rear leaf springs.










The lift is for a '94-2001 Electric EZ-Go. The rear went on OK, but when we got to the front, I had to use a ratchet strap to pull the front springs closer together to fit them on the axle.




I found out the "hard" way that I now own a 2001 1/2 and up EZ-Go Electric Cart.















My younger brother and I did ride around the neighborhood for a little while with just the rear part of the lift done. Just wanted to see the looks.













Got the axle returned and swapped out for the right one. Luckily the rear part of the lift was the same for all of those years. Got the front part of the lift done now. I guess I'm going to to roll like this for a little while until I get my wheels and tires

























More to come....

adamgarrett

looks cool....I rhino lined a yamaha G2 I had a few weeks ago....sold it already. I would advise against putting hurculining your truck....it's way to rough and hard. Might as well have a plastic liner. Get the real deal...a Rhino Lining. Besides it has a lifetime warranty.

NickS

It is mainly for the sides and up by the cab where I had a tool box that rubbed the paint down to metal up under the rear window. I already have a HD rubber mat in the bottom, so that will stay in there also. I'm not going over the bed rails either.

spriddle

That looks GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get us more pics as you go. Can't wait to see what it will look like with some offroad wheels/tires.

NickS

Ordered the wheels and tires today, should be in next week. Going with the Yellow Jacket's in 12x8. There was 2 that I liked, but the other one only came in 12x7. I want a wider stance up front, so I chose these. I'm going for a look of more like a mule or ranger.





Going to wrap them in 23"x12" Swamp fox tires






Also, I ordered the utility bed to go on. Hopefully, it will be here also (should be similar to this one, it is 42" wide x 30" long). It was the biggest one I could find for my cart.









Next will be the light bar, and brush guard...

I know pictures of this stuff "on" the cart is a lot better, but I haven't updated the thread in a while. Pictures of them installed will be coming. Just hope the factory motor can handle the size and extra weight of all of this stuff.

NickS

Got the wheels and tires on...


Well, the swamp fox's were out of stock, so I went with the x-trails. I might trade them for some swamp fox's in the future, but for now, I'll stick with these. Cart looks 1000 times better.



12"x8" Yellow Jacket Wheels
23"x10.5 X-Trail Tires

















Sorry for the crappy iPhone pictures, I'll get some more up when I detail it and all. Also, the bed was on back order, so hopefully be here by the end of the month.

Its already came a long way from the day I got it.











More to come...

cdodd3

looks great, ready for the woods. Do they sell the bed liner in different colors? I know they professionally do it in different colors but wasn't sure if you could buy.

cdodd3

What about bed liner on the roof? How would that look?

NickS

That's what I'm thinking next. Either that, or buy a camo one. I would really like a roll cage like others I've seen on here, but don't know if I want to dump that much money in it just yet.