A Newbie Needs Advice, Please let me know

spangenbob

Hello to all Golf Cart-eeerrsss

I have never owned a Cart but I know what my wife wants ELECTRIC and hey fellas you that my vote don't matter. BUT I can have a little say in the matter with your help. OK She wants to have a nice quite ride to her parks so she can walk our dog and have a nice quite time. On the other hand I like to do some off road a mudding busting trails and long drive through hunting preserves during the off season. So maybe I am saying like the Irish Spring Commercial says, Manly Yes but made for a woman too.
Ok here is my plan, I don't know which cart to buy but I like the look of a Long Travel front end with brush guard, Big Tires and rims and for her and her mom a seat in the back but one I can take off and put on something I can haul dirt, plants, tool around the yard.

From what I have seen in this magazine I have that ez-go has a thing that you can change plugs to make it pull or make it for the road maybe I could put in a switch for that. But I kind of like the club car because it has the aluminum frame.
think 48 volts sounds stronger then the 38 volts but 72 sounds better too.
In other words I don't know Jack about what to buy.
Has anyone seen any good books or articles I should look too. I need to get a idea about what I want before I buy the cart so I have the right one to start with.
I mean I used to airboat and started with a car motor, and finally ended up getting a O540. Which would of saved me a lot of money and time buying the 0540 in the first place.

Thank you for any help you can share I am sure there are more people then me would like to know what Golf Cart Drivers and Owners think about this question.

Thanks
Bob

BGW

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Scott H.

36 Volts is OK for most things, but you will bog down pulling and hauling heavy objects with the chance of damaging your system. Parts for the older systems can be difficult to find.

48 Volts is good for all around use. Parts are available at most shops.

72 Volts is great, but getting parts will involve ordering them and waiting for the delivery person to bring them to you. Most shops don't carry 72 Volt Golf Cart parts and when something breaks it can get expensive quickly.

I would seriously lean towards the 48 Volt Golf Carts if I were in your situation.


You can get or make a flip rear seat to have the best of both worlds, but I wouldn't put more than a couple of SEALED bags of dirt on it a time.

Unless you really like getting yelled at when someone gets muddy from riding back there during / after a rain storm, I wouldn't put any loose dirt on it at all. I would purchase or make a yard trailer for that type of thing.

You could also put a plastic tub on there for hauling loose dirt, but unless you tie it down you'll take the chance of dropping it off the back while partially loaded. Look at the cement / mortar mixing tubs at your local home improvement stores for an idea of the style of plastic tub I'm talking about.

As far as the EZ GO / Club Car issue, that is a personal preference and you'll have to make that choice on your own. Stick with the "Big Three" (Club Car, EZ GO, Yamaha) and you'll have plenty of parts available for upgrades. I would suggest a battery cable upgrade if the cart you purchase has the stock cables on it.

Honestly, I would search the classifieds and get the newest / closest to what you want / most for your money that you can afford Golf Cart regardless of the manufacturer.

Hope this helps,
-Scott H.

pachanga90

For the cargo-part of things,Get the flip-seat and a plastic-bin that will fit the entire area,then make up some quick-mount straps/brackets.Or find a seat that the padded-areas remove easily,and make up a flat-bed or dump-box,that will attach to the same frame-work quickly.Then you have the best of both worlds.I use the dump-bed so much,that I can't believe I went without it!A 4"-Lift and 22"-tires will give a nice stance and not be inconvienent for passengers on Park-Rides,but it will give plenty of ground-clearance for Off-Roading as well.As far as carts,They all have Pluses/Minuses.The Club-Car has the Aluminum-Frame,The G14 and newer Yamahas' ride great(the gassers have a ton of power stock too).Ez-Gos' are the cheapest/easiest to lift.It all comes down to what you want to spend,and whats' availiable in your area in your price-range.Hope this helps.

Great white north

Hey Sponge bob !lol could not resist
I agree with Scott I would lean towards the big 3 manf.
However I think EZGO has the most versatility in regards to
Parts availability and modifications from stock . Although it has a steel frame
As opposed to aluminum it's not that much of a issue in my opinion !
Overall , there are a lot of modifications that are available for EZGO that are not
Available for club car etc. for the same price etc .
I would go 42 volt instead of 48 volt if budget is a issue , do not forget it takes a lot of money !!! To do a full 48 volt conversion
And remember you will need to up -grade the brakes as well !!
Cheers !!

spangenbob

Thanks to all of you for answering so quick!!!
I really appriciate all the answers. I have a question of you Great White North,
I don't understand your response about the 42 volt instead of the 48 volt? Is there such a beast? I have seen many ads while looking for carts and this is the first I have seen on the 42 volt. Also for all of you. Ez Go and is there a Model that would be better then the others. I am willing to travel and spend some cash to get the best that I can.
Thanks again,
Bob

pachanga90

The carts are 36v,or 48v.I think he mis-typed 42v.If you go with Ez-Go,I don't know when they upgraded things electrically(I know Gassers),but the Medalist(94.5-95)/TXTs'(95.5-up) ride and drive really nice.The Marathons are a good,durable cart,Great for Off-Roading!If you are mildly upgrading the cart,I wouldn't be real concerned with brake-upgrades.They are fine for a mildly modified,lifted cart.When you get into larger power-plants or tires bigger than 22",then I would consider a brake-upgrade.

Great white north

Hi Bob , the best model for mods. on EZGO is the TXT version , and no it was not a missprint 42 volt is a great option( 7 -six volt batts ) using a DPI charger from Scotty B and his upgrade pkgs. 400 amp Alltrax controller (sponsor on site -carts unlimited) you would be good to go
Cheers !

Scott H.

42 Volts is a great upgrade from 36 Volts, but then again I feel the need to mention for someone new to Golf Carts that its not something that you can just run down to a local store and purchase parts for when it breaks.

That's why I left it out of my original post, I wouldn't have mentioned 72 Volts except it was asked about specifically.

Basically, I'm going with the "Walk before you run" theory with my responses. Get your cart, add the bolt on modifications you're talking about, and enjoy it for a bit.

Before you know it you'll be right in the thick of it with the rest of us, trying to explain to and / or convince your wife just why the new modifications you're wanting to do really are needed.

-Scott H.

spangenbob

Thanks to all

I am glad I found this site and also glad yall answered my questions I feel better knowing more of what I am looking for. I am going to keep looking for the cart out there that has my name on it. If any of yall know of any good sites that sell carts cheap but sell good carts let me know. And once again
Thanks!!! One day pretty soon I'll post what I found and then we can get to the upgrading.