Hefe'z Build Thread (atv conversion)

[Hefe]

Hi all,

I just wanted to pop in and show our build.
I am not much into forums anymore, so I don't know how active I will be, but I will try to pop back in and answer any questions that come up.

I had an old 4 wheeler laying around that I only used for pushing snow (we live in MI)
and it NEVER got used in the summer anymore.. so I got the brilliant idea to make a golf cart out of it.
so I started looking around the internet for inspiration, and there were a few decent ones I found, but nothing like I really wanted to do..
then I stumbled on this site...
and one thread, someone said "a lot of people try and do it, but few succeed" .. well I said.. I can do this.. it can't be THAT hard... right???
man.. was I wrong.. it was a HUGE undertaking

on to the build..
it started life as a 2001 Kawasaki Prairie 400 4x4


so I looked around on the internet and found a cool looking Jeep body for a ClubCar DS at a place in Florida
since I had a buddy heading that way with a trailer, I handed him some cash and had him grab it for me.
here is their website
http://www.luxurygolfcarts.com/inc/s...t_body_kit/576
not sure about the price there.. I know I didn't pay that much.. (around half that)
that body has a few subtle differences than mine, but not enough to justify that much gap in price.

the first step was to lengthen the frame to match the wheelbase of a golf cart... we don't want it looking weird.. right?
I believe it was around 16 inches added..
this pic shows the back half after we started making the framework to hold the body (my brother grinding on some welds)

mock up

next we fabbed up some heavier square tubing to join the front and the rear halves back together at the right wheelbase



I will have to make replies since there is a pic limit per post

[Hefe]

the Dash / steering assembly was a point of major concern for us, so I went to our local cart place and they sold me an old ClubCar DS (electric) that was all broken down, and we went to town with the sawzall and cut it all apart!
I wish we had taken pics of the hacked up Cart... but for some reason we didn't
anyway..
here is the dash mocked up
(and the new... more street-able tires)


we were able to mount the steering rack the same way the clubcar did it, what a HUGE relief.. Steering was a major concern
seats from the donor cart installed


another obstacle was the fuel tank
although there was plenty of room under the body to hide it.. that won't work because ATV carburetors are gravity fed, and I couldn't think of a good way to fuel pump the fuel into that tiny carburetor
so... we used a spun aluminum tank from eBay (we use this type on our Dune buggies).. looks nice and works perfectly
at some point I may want to add a back seat, and this could be an issue with this tank.. but I will cross that bridge soon enough



Diamond plate mock-up


now... you observant types are asking yourselves...
"what is he gonna do about that engine sticking out.."
well.. I am a very amateur TIG welder.. and I used my limited skills to fab up a cover, I think it turned out OK



here shows a better angle of the rear framework and the front Dash assembly
also, notice the addition of the shifter
the quad was an automatic, so the shifter just does reverse, Neutral, Hi and Low gears (4 positions total)
(it is a re-purposed Dune buggy shifter)

[Hefe]

in the photo you can see the Muffler we chose
I don't remember the specifics on this , but it was from Summit and the application was a small car.. its like only 12 inches long


front view of the Quad suspension


Carbon fiber (look) dash from eBay and the stainless steering wheel kit installed
and the T handle on the shifter



on to the Bumper
we decided to keep it simple
(1.5" Exhaust tube)




slight lift in the rear (it was too low)


after buttoning up other minor things, I sent the body off to my nephew for Paint
we decided on 2010 Dodge Viper Blue







re-cover the seats (eBay)

[Hefe]

Snow Blade and new seat covers installed




here we are at the local car show
The Buggy was actually IN the show.. not the cart.. that was just for cruising the car show




Not sure what I'm planning on as far as a windshield, or Roll Bar or roof...
but this is where it stands now..

it's a 4 wheel drive, 400cc Golf Cart that does 40 -50 Mph .. way too fast!!

Thanks for reading
~Hefe

[Unforgiven]

aahhh,..Wow!

[hookm]

Great job,do you think they would sell just the front piece?

[smallblock450sl]

Very nice work Sir Thanks for sharing the build!

[LVCJ]

Nice build!

[Swan]

wow awesome build

[brooklyn]

Sweet!!! Very nice build