Custom long travel front end!

[gree7363]

Wanted to post this up. Built a custom long travel kit for my cart. Ended up with 11" of independent travel.

Front ended up 2" wider on each side, 4" total, and have some 2" spacers coming in the mail to match front to rear tire width.

Used honda trx400ex shocks from an atv for the suspension. They work, but had to mount them further out to not have too much sag. Ideally, i'd get something a bit stiffer to be able to utilize the full 11" of travel the a-arms can do. Right now its limited by the shocks travel to about 7".

[Swan]

well thats interesting , how the ride ?

[gree7363]

Originally Posted by Swan

well thats interesting , how the ride ?

Its butter smooth. Still some rear end bumps, but a 4 link is in its future.

Overall, significantly impressed with this setup.

[slonomo]

Did you do a build thread on this?

[NCPW]

Any bump steer? How did you mount the A-arms to the frame and what hubs are you using?

[gree7363]

Originally Posted by slonomo

Did you do a build thread on this?

I did not, sorry! Id be more than happy to take some detailed photos when I have time.

Originally Posted by NCPW

Any bump steer? How did you mount the A-arms to the frame and what hubs are you using?

No noticable bump steer. A-Arms are welded to tabs which are welded to 2 pieces of 3/8 plate which sandwhich the frame from the top and bottom with 4 bolts. Bolts are drilled through frame also, so they're not going anywhere.

[gree7363]

All,

Been a while, forgot to take some more detailed pictures of my build. Rear 4-link is also done. I've beat it to hell on some big bumps to see if i could break something, and its all solid so far.

Battery pack build here: http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/lithi...-goodness.html

So far driven 20miles on a single charge, and pack was still sitting at 3.7v / cell. That was driving on sand and offroad ORV trails in Northern Michigan.

Has an Alltrax 500amp xct controller, with a D&D 506.0002 motor. Top speed is 34mph, and its butter smooth. Very little noticeable bump steer, and actual wheel travel is limited by shocks currently.

All in about $5k. Cart - paid $2000 (I paid too much..), Custom battery - $1700, Suspension components - $500, Other misc ~$500-700

Sold a few components, ~$400 or so, so in the end lets call it $4500. Im pretty happy with where it sits for that price. No way i was going to find something to fit my electric vehicle needs, this Golf cart is sick. Cant wait to get good use out of it this hunting season.

[gree7363]

A few more pics. 2" receiver mount on front and rear. Also have a 48v->12v buck converter on it that'll do 60amps for my winch, and the future plow for the michigan snow. Also have some thoughts on making a pull behind brush hog attachment for it, but that'll be a much further in the future project.

[slonomo]

4 link looks really good! Hows the articulation front to back?

Would you mind posting your 4 link pics on this thread? Please add any thoughts you would like about design and building it. Thanks!

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/lifte...spensions.html

[BBBHC]

Originally Posted by gree7363

Also have a 48v->12v buck converter on it that'll do 60amps for my winch, and the future plow for the michigan snow. Also have some thoughts on making a pull behind brush hog attachment for it, but that'll be a much further in the future project.

Well now that is interesting! First I've heard of a converter that can handle the needs of a winch. What winch do you have?

I've got future plans for a plow and a pull behind wheel driven mower as well. Hope you share how you put those together!