UP FOR A MORE INDUSTRY CART GOLF IN THETEAM OF LEADERSHIP LEGACY ICON EVA& ECO BATTERY INTELLIGENT POWER SUPPLY January 2024 Issue 44
COVER STORY
GOLFCARTING.COM
TEAMS UP WITH LEADING CUSTOM CART BUILDERS FOR SEMA 2023
GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 1121 PARK WEST BLVD B214 MOUNT PLEASANT, SC 29466
COMPANY PROFILE WITH REVEL 42
WE'RE LAUNCHING A REVOLUTION, COME BE A PART OF IT!
STANDARD FEATURES • PUSH START IGNITION • • • • • • • • • • • •
LSV READY (AVAILABLE VIN NUMBER) NEW 14" TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY BLUETOOTH SOUND SYSTEM 5KW AC MOTOR ALUMINIUM CHASSIS BACKUP CAMERA ON BOARD CHARGER LED GRILL LIGHT BAR BUILT IN COOLER BRUSHGUARD SIDE STEPS NEW COLOR CHANGING HEADLIGHTS
T0 BECOME A DEALER: EMAIL INFO@TROJANEV.COM • • • • • • •
FLIPDOWN REAR SEAT LOCKABLE GLOVE BOXES 3-POINT SEATBELTS USB PORTS WIRELESS CHARGING PAD 4-WHEEL HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES AND SO MUCH MORE!
NEW Industry leading 3 year, unlimited mile warranty with LIFETIME battery warranty on all 2024 Carts! *restrictions apply
NOW WITH INDUSTRY LEADING DEALER PROFITS Join Bintelli’s family of authorized dealers and capitalize on a premium brand with over 23 years of expertise.
All Beyond models now come with touch screen and wireless phone charger standard.
All Beyond models now come with lithium batteries standard.
BINTELLI NAMED BEST LSV / STREET LEGAL GOLF CART
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23 YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY AND COUNTING
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PAGE 20 FEATURES CONTENTS 20 ISSUE 44 JANUARY 2024 COVER PHOTO BY DALE MARTIN
COVER STORY: SOUND EXTREME BY ECOXGEAR
30 ICON EV AND ECO BATTERY 32 DECOMATS 40 COMPANY PROFILE REVEL 42
DEPARTMENTS
14 EDITORS NOTE 18 INDUSTRY NEWS 26 BATTERY BUZZ 36 LET'S GET SOCIAL 44 GOLF CARTING NATION 48 ASK THE MECHANIC 50 READER'S RIDES 12 www.GolfCarting.com
Power You Can Rely On It’s our mission at RELiON Battery to provide superior product quality and performance. Our number one priority is an exceptional experience for our customers. With our InSight Series® lithium golf car battery, you can enjoy easy installation – with no tray modifications – and flexibility to scale capacity based on desired mileage. Plus, it’s backed by a 10-year warranty for peace of mind.
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Electric Carting 2024: What’s in Store
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s we charge into 2024, the electric cart industry is powering up for an impressive journey. Last year laid a solid foundation, and the projections for this year signal a surge in popularity and innovation. A High-Voltage Growth: Surpassing 2023 The electric cart market in 2023 was dynamic, but 2024 is set to eclipse it. Industry analysts are buzzing about a robust increase in demand and market expansion. This uptick is driven by the global shift towards eco-friendly transportation, advancements in electric battery technology, and the growing appeal of compact, efficient mobility solutions. Current Trends Sparking Interest Electric carts are no longer just about utility; they're a blend of style, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology. Here are the electrifying trends shaping the industry: 1. Eco-Conscious Designs: These carts are going beyond battery-powered; they're featuring sustainable materials and energy-efficient designs. It's
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about making a green statement in every component. 2. Smart Carts: Integration of smart technology, like GPS navigation and app-controlled functionalities, is transforming the user experience. These features are shifting from luxury to standard. 3. Personalization Wave: Customization is the buzzword – from unique colors to bespoke features, personalizing carts to reflect individual tastes is all the rage. 4. Safety Innovations: As these carts zip around, safety is paramount. Enhanced braking systems, improved lighting, and stability control are among the top safety features being integrated. 5. Versatile Usage: These electric carts are breaking out of their traditional roles, becoming a favored option for transportation in communities, resorts, and various commercial settings. Accelerating into the Future The electric cart industry in 2024 is more than a trend; it's a revolution in how we view and use personal transportation. It's a commitment to environmental responsibility, a nod to technological advancement, and a celebration of personal style and convenience. As we ride into this year, let's embrace the change and be a part of this exciting, sustainable, and innovative journey of electric carts. Get ready to witness these silent, eco-friendly machines transforming our daily commute and leisure experiences! We want to thank all our advertisers who supported us in 2023 and we wish all of our readers a Happy New Year! We hope you enjoy this January 2024 edition of Golf Carting Magazine.
Trevor Rose Senior Editor Trevor@golfcarting.com
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GOLF CARTING // Issue 44 // January 2024 Publisher: Senior Editor: Creative Director: Production Director: Staff Writer: Staff Writer: Staff Writer / Social Media:
GC Media Group, LLC Trevor Rose - trevor@golfcarting.com Troy Merrifield - troy@golfcarting.com Christian Amico - chris@golfcarting.com Kelly Madden Josh Delsota Tony Benjamin
Golf Carting® is published monthly by GC Media Group, LLC. Reprinting in whole or by any means- electronic, graphic or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage and retrieval systems is forbidden without written permission from the publisher.
Advertising opportunities and inquiries to: chris@golfcarting.com Editorial contributions are welcomed, but editors recommend that contributors contact us first. Contribution must be accompanied by return postage, and we assume no responsibility for damage or loss of material. Manuscripts must be typewritten, and all photos have to have captions. Photo model releases of all people in photos must accompany manuscript. GOLF CARTING reserves the right to use material, and we reserve the right to edit material to meet publication requirements. E-mail contributions or inquiries to:
trevor@golfcarting.com WARNING: Certain action photographs depicted in this magazine are potentially dangerous. The drivers and vehicle occupants seen in our photos are experienced professionals. Do not attempt to duplicate any stunts. Wear a helmet and safety restraints while operating a Golf Cart, and never drive beyond your capabilities. Do not drink and drive while operating a Golf Cart. We also encourage you to “Tread Lightly” while respecting the outdoors and other outdoor enthusiasts. Use your head and enjoy the ride! ©2022 GC Media Group, LLC
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latestindustrynews
GOLFCARTINGTV ANNOUNCES YOUTUBE LAUNCH
GOLF CART CUSTOMIZATION TAKEN TO NEW HEIGHTS GolfCartingTV announces official launch today. GolfCartingTV is a brand-new YouTube show for golf cart customization enthusiasts and is brought to you by Golf Carting Magazine and ConvertedCarts.com. The weekly show will bring you inside the fascinating world of pimped out golf cart upgrades, mods, and accessories. "Whether you want to add some tunes, extra seats, bold new paint or performance enhancements to get more speed and power, we've got you covered," said host Matt White, owner of Converted Carts. "We spotlight the most innovative new products, showcase customized carts from around the country, and break down the latest news and trends in the golf cart scene." Every Wednesday at noon EDT, a new episode will premiere on the GolfCartingTV YouTube channel. Viewers can expect: • Profiles of uniquely customized carts from enthusiasts nationwide. • In-depth reviews of aftermarket products like lift kits, custom wheels, and audio systems.
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• Tips, tricks and best practices for golf cart upgrades and modifications. • Interviews with manufacturers and highlights of must-see dealerships. "Let your passion for golf carts take you places!" said White. "We peel back the curtain on the vast possibilities to make your golf cart one-of-a-kind. GolfCartingTV has the inside scoop to spark your imagination and creativity." Golf cart dealers and brands interested in being featured on GolfCartingTV can visit https://golfcartingtv.com/request to request consideration. This is a unique opportunity to gain exposure among tens of thousands of golf cart enthusiasts. For those ready to trick out their trusty golf cart, cruise into the fascinating world of GolfCartingTV. Be sure to subscribe on YouTube and enable notifications so you don't miss out on the wildest ride around! Contact information: tv@golfcarting.com or visit www.golfcartingtv.com
PARTNERED FOR POWER
TEAMS UP WITH LEADING CUSTOM CART BUILDERS FOR SEMA 2023 PHOTOS BY DALE MARTIN
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ECOXGEAR is a Texas-based company known for their extensive
line of specialty audio equipment for the powersports world and other applications like outdoor recreation use. Greg Fadul is the company’s CEO and wanted to create a unique custom cart to showcase ECOXGEAR and their premium audio components called Sound Extreme at the 2023 SEMA Show held in November of last year. He enlisted
GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 21
the expertise of legendary custom cart builders Tyler Willett of West Coast Cartz in California and Lee Bunn and Jason Carducci of Big Bad Carts out of Texas and Florida to create a stunning custom cart meant to turn heads, and they did not disappoint. They named this radical ride Checkmate. “This was our first year exhibiting at the SEMA show, and we wanted a cart that would draw people into our booth and have an impact at a show that showcases the biggest and most extreme builds. Tyler and Lee had a vision for a completely over-the-top build, and yes, it literally turned heads—all week long!”, Fadul says. Sound Extreme sponsored Lee and Tyler’s 2022 SEMA build and were big believers in their ability to create a custom golf cart that would be a SEMA showstopper. Their attention to detail, understanding of audio installation, and creative ideas were very much in line
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with ECOXGEAR’s goals for a stunning show vehicle. SEMA – Specialty Equipment Market Association – is a trade association that puts on the largest exhibitions for a diverse group of manufacturers, distributors, retailers,
publishing companies, auto restorers, street-rod builders, re-stylers, car clubs, race teams and others in the automotive industry. The 2023 SEMA show, held in Las Vegas, featured over 2,000 individual vendors showcasing the newest and most innovative products and services in the automotive aftermarket industry. West Coast Cartz has been participating in the SEMA show for a decade, mostly with Willett’s lifted truck creations. He decided to break into the custom golf cart market to stretch his creativity in a new and fast growing industry.
“ECOXGEAR reached out to us and asked us to take on this project, and we were excited to get on board,” Willett said. Willett lined up all of the company sponsors who provided parts and other support, produced a rendering of his vision for the cart and ECOXGEAR gave them the thumbs up to get started. The team worked on the cart for the better part of a year. The following companies were sponsors of this radical ride, contributing parts, financial consideration, and expertise to complete the build:
• • • •
• • • •
Sound Extreme by ECOXGEAR Big Bad Carts Navitas Eco Battery
• • • •
True Spikes Lug nuts Platinum Tee Girls Fury Tires Liberty Forged
Glory Pole Nivel Dekomats Redwood Debris Box
• • • •
Timberline Engineering Timberline Tree Service Ididit Modz
CHECKMATE MOD LIST
Big Bad Carts did most of the fabrication and assembly on the build, and the chrome work on the cart was completed in Nashville. The team utilized the best in their respective industries to ensure the Ecoxgear cart came to life with only the best components, craftsmanship and eye popping style. Fadul is extremely proud of the way this showstopper turned out. “Checkmate is the biggest, baddest golf cart around. Hovering at 9’ with air-bagged suspension, it delivers plenty of audio firepower, including eight tower speakers, a 10” subwoofer, and a couple 6.5s’ up front.” -GCMAG 24 www.GolfCarting.com
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
2023 Navitas chassis with a 600 amp/5kw AC conversion 70.4v 105ah lithium Eco Battery Custom Big Bad Carts 4 link lift kit Carbon Shock Technology air ride coil overs 28”x16” Liberty Forged wheels 38”x16.5” 0R28 Fury Country Hunter M/T True Spike lug nuts Nivel Storm body kit Modz custom fitted tower top Modz FS3 seats Billet Specialty steering wheel Ididit steering column Dekomats custom floor mat Eight, 8” Sound Extreme tower speakers Six, 6.5” coaxial Sound Extreme speakers One 10” Sound Extreme Subwoofer Four 400.4 amps Ecoxgear Sound Extreme under glow lighting Ecoxgear Sound Extreme accent light kit Four Sound Extreme lighting controllers 4’ Sound Extreme flag whip Big Bad Carts custom dash Big Bad Carts Billet pedals 10” Navitas display screen Glory Pole flagpole holder Custom rear disc brakes with Wilwood calipers Jake’s front disc brake kit All metal chromed and powder coated Custom center pod enclosure
batterybuzz
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BY TROJAN BATTERY COMPANY
EIGHT REASONS TO START THE NEW YEAR WITH LITHIUM BATTERIES
Lithium batteries revolutionize the golf and personal transportation vehicle (PTV) experience, improving performance, range and ease of use. LITHIUM BATTERIES: 1. Take You Farther on a Single Charge Lithium batteries deliver about three times more energy density than traditional lead-acid batteries, increasing range considerably. Extended range is critical if you use your vehicle as a second car. 2. Virtually Eliminate Maintenance There’s no need to add water to lithium batteries. This saves you time and helps prevent maintenance errors that can damage or destroy other batteries. 3. Charge faster Lithium batteries can charge in under four hours versus 8 to 10 hours for flooded lead-acid and VRLA batteries for more drive time and less downtime. 4. Weigh Considerably Less than Other Technologies Flooded lead-acid and VRLA batteries add excess weight to your vehicle. Lithium batteries are considerably lighter, which means less wear and tear on your vehicles. 5.Increase Efficiency Lithium batteries generate more power than other battery systems, delivering faster acceleration and improved hillclimbing capabilities. And they provide sustained power regardless of their state of charge. 26 www.GolfCarting.com
6. Increase the Return on Your Investment Lithium batteries last much longer than flooded lead acid or VRLA batteries. They also require fewer batteries and less frequent replacements. As a result, they deliver the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) during the 10-year life span of any battery technology. 7. Eliminate Corrosion, Acid Drips and Charging Fumes Lithium batteries’ acid-free design eliminates these issues, increasing safety and eliminating dangerous spills and fumes. 8. Harmlessly Accept Opportunity Charging and Work in Partial State of Charge (PSoC) Conditions Repeated opportunity charging and PSoC operations cause corrosion, sulfation and early battery failure in flooded leadacid batteries. Lithium batteries are engineered to withstand opportunity charging and a depth of discharge of up to 90% without damage. This protects the battery and lets you grab boost charges during the day. BUYING TIPS To increase the return on your investment, look for lithium batteries that: • Are tested to off-road durability and automotive standards, including the Society of American Engineering (SAE) standards. • Are made with the stable lithium iron phosphate formula. • Feature a battery management system (BMS) with redundant safety features to protect against short circuits and overheating.
golfcarttech
ICON EV AND ECO BATTERY TEAM UP FOR A MORE INTELLIGENT POWER SUPPLY I
n the rapidly changing world of golf carts and other electric vehicles and how they receive their power, the developments in the lithium ion battery sector of the industry is in a constant state of improvement. Maximum efficiency, longer battery life and endurance and minimal maintenance are continually being upgraded to provide the best return on investment. Which is why the teams at ICON® EV and Eco Battery® have
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collaborated to develop a new, smarter battery that offers more intelligent communication and network cohesiveness for the complete line of ICON EVs. About a year ago, Sean Heatley from ICON and Casey Shirts of Eco Battery began to collaborate on a new lithium ion battery that would raise the bar in cart and EV performance, efficiency, and safety.
“The whole goal behind this new battery was to engineer, design and build a better, smarter battery with advanced communication capability with the other cart components in order to solve some potential issues that may occur,” Heatley said. The companies collaborated for about two years to create the newest battery. Today’s highly advanced and technology driven golf carts and electric vehicles rely on extremely intricate software to communicate effectively with the BMS, (battery management system), and all of its individual components. Each part of the cart’s operating systems works from a CAN, or Controller Area Network, which continually sends electronic messages to alert the operator of any issues. Heatley explains some of the reasons behind the development of this unique new battery. “Let’s say a cart is being driven and suddenly the BMS experiences a slight blip or malfunction,” he said. “With a traditional lithium battery, this may cause the cart to just shut down and stop because that’s what was communicated from the BMS signal. With this new smart lithium battery programming, the cart will continue to run at full efficiency while notifying the operator that a charge is needed soon. It’s a much improved “handshake” between all the vehicle’s components.” This new Eco Battery model offers added cart safety in that the cart will not just stop suddenly without notice. Everything from the battery, speedometer, motor controller, onboard charger and more are now all communicating with each other, offering enhanced performance, longevity, efficiency, and other benefits. Both companies realized this was the next step in staying ahead of any power-related safety issues. Noah Schone is the Vice President of Sales at Eco Battery and points out the company has an advanced, in-house engineering division which represents the key to this new smart battery technology. “The folks at ICON EV shared our vision and passion for building a better mousetrap, so to speak, which helps keep both of our companies on the leading edge of lithium electric vehicle batteries,” he said. “Our engineering team reverse engineered the current component to make them compatible with our smart battery to offer the ultimate customer experience and results." The new batteries are available for several different cart manufacturers’ models, each requiring their own unique CAN coding and software system. For more details, visit https://iconev.com/ or https://ecobattery.com/s/
golfcartcompany
DEKOMATS HI-TECH CUSTOM FLOOR MATS FOR ANY GOLF CART
Keith Smithson has been an avid golfer for most of his life, as well as a successful business entrepreneur. Those two lifelong traits came together to create a new company that produces stylish custom floor mats for golf carts. Dekomats® was formed to fill a need for affordable, custom-printed floor mats for carts of any configuration. “I played a lot of golf growing up, and the more I was in and 32 www.GolfCarting.com
around golf carts I kept thinking there is a lot of real estate right under your feet, so why not improve it,” Smithson says. His first idea was to use the floor space for advertising, letting golfers know they could get a beer and hot dog at the turn, promoting upcoming golf specials at the course or other promotional uses. “I started about five years ago developing the concept
golfcartcompany and the technology to produce the mats with the latest advancements in design and production and brought it to market about two and a half years ago,” he said. “Our business evolved into a complete line of custom printed golf cart floor mats with just under two hundred unique patterns, graphics and color schemes.” Dekomats is based in their main facility in Sarasota, Florida, with a second facility just down the coast in Fort Myers. Smithson’s father has a commercial, large format printing business there. These eye popping cart mats are printed on an industrial polyvinyl material which resembles a rubber-type surface, and the ink is printed on the underside of the translucent material to keep the graphics from being damaged by golf shoes, dirt, moisture, and other elements. Smithson said, “This technology keeps the design intact and reduces any damage or fading issues.” Dekomats features mats custom cut to fit E-Z-GO®, Club Car®, Bintelli®, ICON®, Yamaha®, MOKE®, Navitas®, Epic® and GEM® carts. Consumers can select their mat by color scheme and design patterns and place their online order in just three simple steps. For example, clicking on the “Red” color theme reveals over 20 different themes and patterns. Customers are sure to find the perfect style to match their cart’s colors. The company offers everything from bright floral designs, a wood grain look, bold geometric stripes or sweeping shapes, animal prints, and many more unique options.
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Dekomats also has licensed distributors in almost every state in the country and ships their mats throughout all 50 U.S. states, Canada, and Australia. No matter if you have a standard, 2-passenger golf cart or a multi-passenger 4 or 6-passenger cart, Dekomats has the perfect custom mat to fit any configuration. The mats are easy to install yourself in only about 10 minutes. If your cart has any components along the front footwell or the floor, the mats can be easily trimmed with a box cutter or scissors. The company can also produce completely custom graphics based on the customer’s request. Dekomats has a 3-person graphic design team in house who work directly with the customers to produce print-ready art to their exact specs. If you don’t have a design prepared in an acceptable PDF or other suitable computer file, the designers will create one for you. Custom mats usually ship within 7 to 12 business days. Many cart owners like to add their favorite sports team’s graphics to their carts, and Smithson has been working for the last year to secure licensing rights for all 32 teams within the NFL and has plans to produce college team graphics and logos within the next year. “We expect a lot of new customers once we’re authorized to produce our mats with authentic sports team graphics because that is a key design element in a lot of people’s carts,” Smithson says. To see the full line of Dekomats custom golf cart floor mats visit https://dekomats.com/
cruise through your community—protected
Get Golf Cart insurance from Progressive Whether you’re headed to the lake or to a friend’s house, when you take your golf cart off your home’s property, you’ll want additional coverage. With Golf Cart insurance from Progressive, you’ll be protected wherever you roam.
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Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affiliates. Coverages subject to policy terms and conditions. Prices vary based on how you buy. Discounts not available in all states.
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TAG US IN YOUR PHOTOS WITH #GOLFCARTINGMAG YOU MIGHT SEE YOUR POST IN THE NEXT ISSUE!
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golfcartdealer golfcartmanufacturer
REVEL 42
FROM GOLF TO EXPLORING THE TRAILS, THIS NORTH CAROLINA DEALERSHIP HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
C
oming up on their 10th year in business, Revel 42 Golf Carts & Power Sports has a lot to celebrate in their efforts to provide premium quality products, parts, customer service and attention to details in the golf cart industry. This dealership offers new carts and EVs from E-Z-GO®, Cushman®, Star EV®, Arctic Cat® and Evolution®, plus a large
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inventory of previously owned golf carts and other vehicles. Jacob Crawford is the Operations Manager for Revel 42’s 2 stores located in Wilmington and Garner, North Carolina. “Golf carts are our biggest source of business, and we also offer ATVs, UTVs, Scooters, E-Bikes and even trailers,”Crawford said. “Our customers know that whatever type of transportation
they may need or parts for them, Revel 42 is the best source.” The company is staffed by between 15-20 golf cart experts, depending on the season, and is well known for their huge array of related parts and for taking expert care of their customer’s carts after the purchase. “We offer pickup and delivery service and will also service carts and other products at the customer’s location,” said Crawford. He also said Revel 42 is currently adding new emphasis on their parts division to offer even more options for their customers. The dealership’s new cart models include mostly lithium battery powered carts, but Crawford said there are many customers looking for gas powered models who need a reliable vehicle for things like farm, ranch and other commercial or industrial use. Revel 42 is also known for accepting only the highest quality carts in on trade, and completely evaluating every single vehicle before including it in their extensive used inventory. They are also able to help with arranging financing for your new cart or powersport vehicle through their relationships with several different financing companies.
SMART PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION FOR EVERYONE Revel 42s bread and butter is selling new and used golf carts, and their inventory offers a make and model perfect for any use. A review of their comprehensive and easy-to-navigate website shows a 2024 E-Z-GO® Express S4 Elite in a gorgeous Miami Blue color featuring LED headlights, premium dashboard configuration, sleek tire and wheel options, enhanced front suspension and many more upgrades. This cart is being offered at $17,999.00. If you’re in the market for a preowned cart, Revel 42 has a 2022 Star EV® Sirius 2+2 at their Garner store that features a stunning Platinum color scheme, premium 4-passenger seating with 2 rear-facing seats, lithium batteries, double wishbone independent suspension, a race-inspired chassis, and a host of other top-of-the-line upgrades. This cart was most recently being offered at $12,499.00. Revel 42 will gladly transport any new or used vehicle in their extensive inventory from one store to another for the convenience of their customers and deliver right to their home
GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 41
golfcartdealer
when it is ready to go. For the more adventurous outdoorsman, you can find a 2023 Arctic Cat® Wildcat XX Black Hills Edition with trailoriented features including a lower gear ratio transaxle and 32-inch trail tires, as well as a factory-installed Garmin® Tread Powersports Navigator. This beauty is built to take on rough terrain with ease, comfort and an aggressive style that is sure to turn heads and is available for $27,999.00. For more economical personal transportation, Revel 42 offers a complete line of scooters like a 2022 Lance Powersports® Havana Classic 50 in a brilliant ruby red color for their drastically reduced price of just $2,495.00 or a 2022 Scootstar® RaceStar 50 in bright yellow with sleek styling and a smooth ride at just $1,999.00. 42 www.GolfCarting.com
One of the hottest new trends in personal transportation is the evolution of the E-Bike, and Revel 42 carries a comprehensive array of premium models. A 2022 Scootstar® Allstar features Kenda® 20 x 4.0 fat tires front and rear, aluminum alloy wheels and a Shimano® 7-speed trigger shifter derailleur. E-Bikes are an extremely cost effective and ecologically friendly method of transportation designed for the preservation of the earth’s resources, as well as one heck of a fun way to get around. “Revel 42 was founded as a family company and remains so today,” said Crawford. “The best part is the people we have welcomed onto our team all feel our family atmosphere, and we’re a fun, motivated group of people who are dedicated to the golf cart and motorsports industries.”
golfcartingnation
OWNER: Jack Niehaus from Auburn, CA YEAR/MAKE/MODEL: 1970 Taylor Dunn HI JACK, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS CUSTOM BUILD? I started with a Taylor Dunn burden carrier and replaced the rear axle with a Club Car rear axle. I continued to remove most of the original body and sourced a 60’s VW bug rear glass that I used for the windshield. ARE THERE ANY CUSTOM FABRICATION OR CUSTOM MADE PARTS? The body was fabricated from tubing, and skinned with flat sheet metal. To get the curve in the nose, a scrap 1954 Buick hood was cut up, and formed into shape. The brake linkage was altered from a hydraulic setup, to accommodate the original Club Car brake system. 44 www.GolfCarting.com
WHAT AFTERMARKET PARTS DID YOU USE? I altered the frame to mate the Navitas, 5kw motor to the Club Car rear end and installed Navitas 600 amp controller. I'm currently running old Trojan Batteries, until I get a 72 Lithium Battery. SOME BACKGROUND ABOUT YOU AND HOW LONG YOU HAVE BUILDING CARTS, HOW DID YOU INTO THE BUSINESS? I built a few Hot Rods, just a backyard tinkerer WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS FOR YOU OR YOUR COMPANY? Just a hobbyist enjoying retirement IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD If you really want something, you can build it yourself. The best way to learn is by making mistakes. I make a lot of them.
GOLF CARTING MAGAZINE 45
askthemechanic
ASK THE MECHANIC Q: I just replaced my battery in my Club Car and its dead again within a week. How do I check to see if it’s being charged properly? A: Turn the key to the off position and turn the yellow knob 180 degrees on the F&R under the seat to maintenance position so the cart will run in neutral when time to test. When checking starter/generator output, you will need a voltmeter set on direct current (DC). Apply red positive wire to positive side of battery and repeat with negative side. Turn the key on and run cart in maintenance (neutral). Starter/generator output should be from 13.5 to 14.5 volts. This indicates the starter/generator is good, if you're not within this reading, replace it with a new one. Make sure you check that all your connections are tight and corrosion free. If everything checks out, you may have another electrical short or a draw on the battery that needs to be shut off with a switch if everything else checks out. Q: How do I change the oil in my gas golf cart? A: Park the golf cart on a flat surface and turn the engine off. • Locate the round oil cap on the top of the engine, unscrew the oil cap, remove the oil dipstick from the driver's side of the engine. Wipe the dipstick off with a clean towel. • Under the driver's side of the engine, locate the oil filter that is attached to the engine, in front of the clutch pedal and place a drip pan under the oil filter. Remove the three bolts that secure the base of the oil filter to the engine. • Pull the oil filter off the engine and wait for all the oil to drain out. • Secure the new oil filter to the engine with the three bolts. Torque the three oil filter bolts down with 25 to 30 foot-lbs with a torque wrench and a socket. • Place a funnel into the engine oil cap hole. The typical cart calls for app. 1-1/4 quarts of 10W-30 motor oil into 48 www.GolfCarting.com
the engine. Make sure to check the specs on your cart first. Remove the funnel and screw the oil cap back on. • Crank the golf cart engine and let it run for about 1 minute. Turn the engine off and let it sit for about 1 minute, so that the oil can drain back down out of the engine. Pull the dipstick and check the oil level. The oil should be at the full, if not, add oil in small increments until full. Q: What are the steps to install a lift kit on my golf cart? A: FRONT LIFT INSTALLATION • Using a jack, raise the front of the golf cart. Be sure to place jack stands on each side of the front end. • Use a socket to loosen the lug nuts on the front end and then remove both front wheels. • Loosen and remove the tie rods. • Using a socket, loosen the bolts on the factory spindles and then remove the tie rods and spindles. • Install the new spindles. Replace the tie rods and wheel hubs. This is also a good time to re-lubricate any joints. • Adjust the wheel alignment, following the instructions in the Jake’s Lift Kit. REAR LIFT INSTALLATION • Using a jack, raise the rear of the golf cart. Be sure to use both jack stands to support the back end. • Remove the bolts from the bottom of the shocks at the axle. • If you are working with a gas-powered cart, remove the ground straps from the starter. • Using the jack to support the axle, remove the U-bolts and then remove the leaf spring. • Reinstall the leaf spring using the new and longer U-bolts. Carefully tighten all the bolts. • Install the shocks to the U-bolt plates and tighten.
Visit www.golfcarting.com and go to Readers Rides to submit. Be sure to use the hashtag #golfcarting
braggingrights
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PRST MKTG US POSTAGE PAID ISLE OF PALMS, SC PERMIT NO. 04