How To Modify Your Golf Cart For Off-Roading
Though they started on the course, golf carts today are more than just a way to get from hole to hole. They can be used on anything from hunting trips and camping to traveling across communities and racing. With impressive versatility and increasing popularity, golf carts are becoming more and more common for drivers who want to put their own spin on their ride.
That’s why we put together this guide on some modifications you can make to your cart at home. If you’re still looking for a cart to make into a masterpiece or need a specific part, stop by Mikey’s Motors in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. We’ve got a fine selection of finished machines and other products and a staff that can help you find whatever you’re looking for.
Benefits And Getting Started
Adding off-road modifications to your cart isn’t just for those who want to explore nature — they increase performance and safety, as well. But it can be hard to know exactly what modifications you want to make and how. Your first consideration is how your cart is currently being used. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Does it meet all of your current and planned needs?
- Do you want to use it in different ways than you presently do?
- Will you be carrying other people or heavy items in that cart?
- What terrain does your cart need to traverse?
These questions will help you narrow down your options and goals for your modifications, which in turn will tell you what parts you’ll need and how expensive the changes will be. For general tips, read on!
Heavy Duty
If your cart is going to be a workhorse, there are a number of modifications you should consider to maximize your vehicle’s utility. One of the first modifications on that list is adding heavy duty leaf springs. Leaf springs improve your vehicle’s suspension and are relatively modular in nature, meaning that if they’re damaged, you’ll only need to replace the spring rather than the suspension system entirely. These springs also help your cart deal with extra weight, such as numerous passengers or heavy loads of cargo. They offer better rear suspension and stability, which improves your cart’s ride all around.
You should also consider an upgraded motor. You can either focus on upgrading your torque or your speed, which are each useful in their own way. For a workhorse, however, torque will come in handy more often. If that’s the route you take, be on the lookout for a motor with a larger field coil. The coil allows for a greater magnetic field, which will produce more torque by holding the armature more securely.
A winch can also be installed at either the front or rear of the cart, which can be useful for removing heavy objects or pulling your cart out of a sticky situation. Anyone who drives their cart through the mud or other sticky or slick substances can benefit from this. Wiring a winch to the power supply can be done a number of ways, so make sure the winch you’re looking at is right for you before you purchase.
Aesthetics And Safety
Making your cart look unique can be important and fun, and many of these customizations also increase safety for off-road vehicles and night driving. For instance, a lift kit can accommodate larger tires, which makes it easier and smoother to drive over tough terrain. Accommodating larger tires means a wider selection of styles, as well.
Collision Safety
Making sure your cart can come back from a bumpy ride as well as go out on one is important, both for your safety and your wallet. Push bars, for instance, can be added to the front bumper of your cart with ease, helping prevent damage to the cart itself in collisions or allowing you to push objects out of the way without risking a serious impact. Many of these bars come with heat during powder coating, keeping them safe from extreme weather conditions.
Lighting
Installing LED light bars is another way to make your cart safer and more unique. The lights allow for safer night driving, helping you see where you’re going and helping others see your cart. Most any LED utility bar you find will be a good match, but selecting for style, color options, and brightness can make your cart look one-of-a-kind.
Interior
Upgraded seating is always a good option for someone who wants their cart to impress. It can make your machine look nicer, and it’ll make it more comfortable to ride around in as well. Customizing the color, comfort, and durability of your seats, or making a DIY cushion, will help your cart dress to impress. Adding safety features like seat belts can also show your passengers that their safety and yours are as important as the looks.
Custom floor mats can also add a little extra something to your cart while also protecting it from the weather and your own shoes. That way, no matter what splashes over your cart or what you track into it, the cart itself has an extra layer of protection from the elements.
To get more tips on modifying your golf cart for off-roading or other activities, call on Mikey’s Motors. We proudly serve Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee, and our staff look forward to helping make your cart your own!