I found a possible project car...err..cart 

"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot) 05/04/2015 at 07:17 • Filed to: Golf cart

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So, I’ve come to realize I probably will never have a project car. The initial cost is great, plus you have to pour money into it to get fix it. I also happen to want a golf cart badly because...well my house resides on a campground and the carts are simple ways to get around. And I saw this guy at the end of my street, lying there, presumably for free.

It’s a old, 3- wheeled, electric golf cart that’s been left outside. I did a look over, it seems everything is there except the keys (convert to a push button and a hidden kill switch) and the charger (well, that’s actually really needed). And 6 new batteries, since the old ones are in really bad shape.

Thanks to my struggles getting my lawn mower to work (not done yet, but so close!), when I checked under the hood of this guy, I could see what was happening! I understood a bit how it operates! :D.

The exterior needs some work, scratch that, a overhaul. But it looks like the mechanics I can figure out on my own with enough time.

This is how I could tell it was old, the shifter. Most golf carts that I see nowadays, have a 3-position switch right below the seats, behind where you put your legs.

Of course, without a charger, which are expensive I’d imagine (our camp has multiple electric carts, but not nearly enough chargers), it would be hard to get it running. Plus I didn’t recognize the male end of the charger. I used to work for the camp, and I had a electric cart that I drove ( after the gas one which I...umm...busted, :/), but this one was a different style. So there could be difficultly finding one.

Besides not having a charger, my wife says it’s a eyesore, and we have no where to put it. But I can’t help but imagine what a cool project it could be. It would take years to finish, but I could possibly end up with a nice family golf cart for an initial cost of nothing.

Mattbob > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 07:20

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looks like project cart hell to me.

zeontestpilot > Mattbob 05/04/2015 at 07:25

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Could be, but the idea of fixing it up myself does sound like fun a bit.

E. Julius > Mattbob 05/04/2015 at 07:26

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Agreed

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 07:30

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Could be fun to mess around with, but don’t pour too much money into it, it may never run again.

pip bip - choose Corrour > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 07:30

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give it a go , if it costs nothing you can’t really lose.

zeontestpilot > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/04/2015 at 07:32

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That’s true too. But I could always go to junkyards for a new motor. That, or someone on my FB suggested a lawn mower engine, but that might be more difficult.

zeontestpilot > pip bip - choose Corrour 05/04/2015 at 07:35

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The batteries and charger are the biggest initial costs that I see. That can easily be $200+ dollars there. Hmm..

pip bip - choose Corrour > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 07:38

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$200. not that expensive really though.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 07:38

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It might be doable to swap in a small engine, it wouldn’t be easy though. That said I know people who’ve rigged up lawnmower motors to bicycles and it didn’t take them too long. Those bikes were of dubious safety though...

LongbowMkII > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 07:40

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Clean and paint the body. A bit of sweat and I’m sure you can turn $40 worth of spray paint into $100.

505Turbeaux > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 07:42

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Golf carts are cool! I have a friend who has an original Harley-Davidson cart out at his camp I work on. If you have a place to use them they are very good investments. That one looks pretty beat, but hey, its a project!

zeontestpilot > pip bip - choose Corrour 05/04/2015 at 07:42

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...it is when you’re just almost living paycheck to paycheck, :/. Most of my maintenance costs are bought with a lowes credit card.

zeontestpilot > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/04/2015 at 07:44

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That brings up an interesting point, since this is a 3-wheeled cart, stability when going too fast and turning (which is my natural way of doing things) might be an issue.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 07:45

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If Oppo has taught me anything it would be that this is destined to have the body panels stripped off, ran with bare frame rails, Busa engine swapped, then consume drivers like King TuT’s curse.

pip bip - choose Corrour > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 07:46

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fair point.

zeontestpilot > 505Turbeaux 05/04/2015 at 07:47

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Oh yeah, I love golf carts. Plus, it’s a way to not have drive my car to the lake to swim, which is on the exact opposite side of the grounds.

My ideal cart is has, 4-wheeled, and no roof; but I'll take anything really, :).

505Turbeaux > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 07:48

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#roadstergolfcartlyfe

zeontestpilot > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul 05/04/2015 at 07:49

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Lose weight, add lightness?

It IS mid engine and rwd, lol.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 07:51

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LS swap or bust!

E. Julius > 505Turbeaux 05/04/2015 at 07:53

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My uncle had one of those old HD carts. Those things are a blast, although there have been more than a few occasions of gopher hole–induced front wheel catapulting.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 07:54

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Maybe add stabilisers?

zeontestpilot > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/04/2015 at 07:59

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Training wheels, nice. Add a custom paint job of flames, and it'll be epic, lol.

505Turbeaux > E. Julius 05/04/2015 at 08:03

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I also know someone else who has a H-D V-twin in a plain jane golf cart. That thing is just scary

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 08:06

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You must do all of these things. Maybe even hot rod it.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 08:23

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So basically what you’re saying is it’s a supercar. Talk about a barn find!

Rainbow > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 08:51

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I thought this was a hole and I was so confused since I couldn’t see the other wheel.

webmonkees > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 08:58

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Excellent first step. Now be subtle with the next bit. “Okay then, what wouldn’t be an eyesore?”

Get more intact cart. Continue project idea. Learn fiberglassing in well ventilated areas.

zeontestpilot > Rainbow 05/04/2015 at 09:19

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Yeah, it's astro-turf, lol. It's used commonly around here outside RVs as a outdoor carpet.

zeontestpilot > webmonkees 05/04/2015 at 09:22

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Oh, even if I don’t grab this, I’m not giving up the golf cart dream. Too many people here have lifted ones, with no suspension. They look horrible! Those can’t be fun. I want a stock height one so I can have fun speeding around quickly in it. And possibly seat belts, :).

shop-teacher > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 11:10

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Dooo eeeeeettttt!!!!!!

You’ll have to cut back on your diecast habit, though :)

zeontestpilot > shop-teacher 05/04/2015 at 11:32

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I just conferred with my gpa, who knows his stuff. Each battery will be about $75+ not to mention the charger will be about $250. That's $700 in repairs for the necessary stuff. Not including body work. So I'm gonna have to pass, :/.

shop-teacher > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 13:08

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Balls! :|

zeontestpilot > shop-teacher 05/04/2015 at 13:26

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Actually, I posted this on FB as well, and one thing led to another, I foubd someone selling an almost ideal golf cart ( 4 wheels, gas, etc). But I can't pay what they want for it, $400 to $500

Obsessed > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 20:21

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Looks unsafe at any speed to me....keep us posted if you try to get it to run...also how old are those tires....may have to repace them unless they are solid rubber

zeontestpilot > Obsessed 05/04/2015 at 22:49

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I’ve been attending this camp (where I now live) for 25+ years...I have never seen a cart design like this. Especially the shifter part.

As of 7pm est today, it’s gone, no idea what happened to it, :/. And I'm still looking to obtain my own golf cart...

shop-teacher > zeontestpilot 05/04/2015 at 22:52

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Too bad, because that sounds like a reasonable price.

zeontestpilot > shop-teacher 05/04/2015 at 22:54

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....it was, :(. Gosh, I hate being poor...