EZGO TXT48 Build

[Mesquite]

I built a few carts back in the early-mid 2000s, but quit building them in about 2006. I enjoy cart builds more than I probably should, so I decided to start up again and put some together.

As soon as I mentioned it to my brother, he asked me to build him a "Clays Cart" for his shooting. His only request was the color orange.

I bought a couple of carts from a course in Sacramento pretty cheap, so I started with one of them. It's a 2013 EZGO TXT48. As you can see, the front axle hit something hard! I started by pulling the body off. Then I pressure washed it (more than once), there was grass everywhere on this thing.

[Mesquite]

I keep a look out for used stuff and had found these rims a few months ago on CraigsList for $200. I chose MJFX Timber Wolf tires because I like the way they look. They aren't too radical looking.

After I wire brushed the battery tray, I sprayed the frame with a matte black to clean it up a bit.

Then I started on the wiring. I used a 30 amp convertor. I made a bracket to hold the convertor, fuse block and a terminal block for the neg wiring.

I also replaced all of the battery cables with 2 ga, using orange under the seat.

[Mesquite]

I used blue and yellow on the solenoid and motor cables.

I found a gent selling old style Workhouse cowls for a good price and had my local shop spray them orange. The pics don't do the color justice, it really looks nice.

I replaced the headlights with new halogen bulbs and the turn and rear lights with LEDs.

[Mesquite]

I went with graphite carbon fiber on the dash and steering wheel. On the dash I installed a 12v port and a dual USB port along with a three switch panel. One for the lights, one for the light bar and one for the rock lights.

You can't see it, but I'm kind of proud of the wiring. It was done with marine grade connectors and everything is loomed. I also used heat shrink tubing on all of the connections.

I used a 6" drop axle lift kit to get clearance for the 22' tires.

The seats are a orange/grey/carbon "blade" set. I'm not particularly happy with the fit and may do something different.

The rear bumper is a Jakes tube bumper.

The roof wasn't ready (from the painter) yet, so I rattle canned a roof matte black for a temporary fix. I liked the way it looked better than my original plan of matching it to the body.

This is all the progress I've made. It's actually taken me over a month as I had surgery on my hand and it's really hard to get anything done one handed. Particularly when the good one is not your dominate one.

I still will be making a front bumper and mounting the Clays basket, hopefully within the next few days. I hit a snag today when I was finally to the point of being able to test it. I found out quickly that the rear end has some issues. I pulled it today and we'll dig into that tomorrow. Thanks for looking, I'll update it when I can make a bit more progress

[FiddyK]

Looks awesome. Great build!

[TheNewGuy]

Very nice work!

[Mesquite]

Thanks. I hope to finish this week and I'll post more pics.

[Mesquite]

A bit more progress. Today I was able to get the Clays basket, light bar, and windshield mounted.

I was also able to get the replacement rear end opened and inspected. It looks to be in really good condition.

It's slow going with one good hand; my right hand is still immobilized. Seems like everything takes five times as long to get done!

[Mesquite]

While I had the motor out I cleaned it up and put a bit of paint on it. Here's a pic of the motor after install. Cleaned up and painted the transaxle and wire brushed the diff.

I also got the overhead stereo wired. I'm running the wires up through the rear roof uprights and through the roof, so that's been a bit of a chore. I think the final result will be worth the effort though. I forgot to take pics of that, but I'll do it tomorrow and post some.

My progress has been slowed a bit, this project seems like it's going on forever!

I had surgery on my right (dominate) hand a few weeks into the build and just got off the final casts/braces this past week.

And then last week I decided to have a minor stroke. Spent a day and night in the hospital and been trying to relax a bit. I'm doing fine, but I tire pretty quickly, so it's slow going again.

[Mesquite]

Close to being done! I finally got he ceiling mounted stereo wired up and mounted. I routed the wiring through the left rear upright and then through the roof to the front where the stereo is. It was a huge pain.

But I think it was worth it. The only place that anything shows is a few inches between the upright and the roof and another few between the lower upright and the body. Everything is in a loom and grommeted, I happy how it came out.

It also mounted the "50 caliber" antennae through the roof. It's a shooting cart, I think it's a nice touch.

Mounted the mirrors as well.

And finally the "Gun Grabber" holders for the shotguns. I modified the bag straps and mounted them there. He wanted the guns in the bagwell. He says when they are in the front it is a pain to get them past the steering wheel.

I'm hoping to finish it tomorrow.