Lift/stability question

[stuff4mason]

I have 5 1/2" lift on the rear and 4 1/2" on the front of a G8. I haven't upgraded tires yet and still running 20x10x8's all the way around. These are lawn mower tires on it. Now that I've spent a little time on the cart, it seems a bit unstable, or maybe top heavy? I just have the stock shocks on the cart. It rides great, but a bit scary to drive at high speeds on the gravel, especially on turns. Does everyone else's carts with 5-6 inch lifts feel this way? I may put heavy duty shocks on the back. Would putting 23x10 tires with off-set wheels help the stability of the cart?

[arcitech]

More offset would help with the stability and "feel" of the cart, but really, if you are lifting the cart, there comes a point where your give up handling for looks.

[sho305]

Offset wheels like 3+5, and an ATV tire is stiffer it will not roll over like lawn tires do. Beyond that you can put spacers on for more width, you can lower it far as you can, you can get the other axle to widen the whole rear and remount the trans. I think my floor is 18 high iirc with 22s.

[chuddly]

i widened my front end 6" along with my 6" lift and did high off set wheels and my cart feels REALLY stable...but i kinda went overboard on purpose

[stuff4mason]

What size do you guys suggest? And, what will fit with no rub issues?

[Mike Mac]

Jim, I put HD shocks on the rear of my car when I first built it. It would lean in corners at high speed. When I shimmed the front shocks with 1/2" x 1 1/4" shaft collars, for a camber problem, the high speed cornering improved greatly. Yes, it does ride abit stiffer, but the overall improvement in handling on and off road is good. And better with 4 people in it. I have no spacers in it at all. These are $4.ea. at a bearing, belt, and chain supply or place like Granger.

[sho305]

Rub issues depend on the lift that is on the cart.

Also the type of cart you have makes a big difference, the old yamaha G1/2/9 have the swingarm rear and are more stable, the new ones have the 3 point cradle that will lean (that have one attachment point at the front). My G9 is very stable, but they don't ride as nice either. If my cart leans, that means a rear tire is flat or off the ground.

[Mike Mac]

Learning curve with each type of sus. G2/9 will corner more flat on road. G8 and up will be a bit better off road because of its 3 link rear sus. (semi independent sus.) (less likely to get stuck in a situation where one of the back tires gets unloaded). Gotta learn how to drive the car you got, and just know its weaknesses. Hence, the term "Seat time"!!

I've been in some pretty rough stuff with mine, thinking "I shouldn't have done this" and it has always impressed me so far, even in snow! Never been stuck yet...knock on wood!

Also, just FYI, I had a flat front tire 2 weeks ago, could not see it flat. I went to turn a corner and I usually drive pretty fast. Well for some reason I was not going fast that time, but the cars body roll was more than usual. I stopped and checked the tire to find it flat. So check tire pressure often, you can turn a car over pretty easy when it is lifted anyway, and with a flat tire

Enjoy! Mike

[stuff4mason]

Mike, you have a 6" Jakes lift, right? What size tires are you running?

[Mike Mac]

Tires are Carlisle 489's, 23x8 on 10". They measure 21 1/2" tall when aired up to maximum of 8#. The wheels are 7" wide, and the offset is 3x4 - 3" inside. Not big meats like most people want, but I'd do it again. No rubbing ever!

Another thing, it steers with one finger!