TXT body modification

[bobking44]

I would like to change the front body cowl on my 2001 TXT cart for one with a trunk space in which I
could secure shoes, hats etc.
However, I don't want to spend a mint on the project.
Is there such a thing as a source for reasonably priced body replacements.
All I have seen appear to me to be greatly over priced.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Bob
S. CA

 

[dougmcp]

IMHO, you would be further ahead selling your EZGO and getting an old Western cart. You could off your cart and put whatever monies you were thinking, to upgrade tires, controller and new front cowl, towards a different cart.
Western went out of production in late 2006 but all their carts were built on the EZGO TXT/Fleet chassis and use mostly all EZGO parts.
They can have anything from 36v to 48v and a lot of them are street legal. Most of them run 20mph+ and include custom wheels, trunk in the front, built-in ice chest, full carpeting, fabric seats, headlights, tail lights, brake lights, signal lights, seat belts and mirror.

What part of SoCal are you located?

If you have any questions about Western carts, fire away and I will do my best to answer.
Take a look at my cart (click on my signature line My 1998 Western) and let me know what you think.

 

[HotRodCarts]

dougmcp,

Your Western is a sharp cart.

 

[dougmcp]

Not my thread but thanks HRC. It's getting an EMP motor soon, got the need for more speed.

 

[bobking44]

Dougmpc

I think that might well be a good plan.

I have a call in about one as I type this.

I don't know the year of the cart but it has new batteries this year and a new charger as well.

The owner is asking $1595 for it and I think I should be able to get more than that for my current TXT/PDS.
It has speed chip, custom woodgrain dash, lights, turn signals, brake lights, mirror and new batteries last week.

What does that sound like to you?

P.S. I just talked with the owner. The western was part of a course fleet at a high end club in Palm Desert.
He indicated it is in excellent condition both asthetically and mechanically.
I plan to go to Palm Desert (I live in Menifee, CA about ah hour and fifteen min. dirve across or around a mountain) and see it on Friday morning. This is the first cart in the listing of finds you sent to me from craigslist and there are some pictures included.

I am a little nervous about it having been a fleet cart since that could mean extensive use.

What would you suggest I look for in inspecting the cart other than general appearance and battery dates?



Bob
S. CA

 

[Gonzo]

Since a Western is basically an EZ-GO, could say a Western 400 front cowl bolt on to it?

 

[dougmcp]

That's probably true except finding one would be near impossible.
Like any good cart, they get rebuilt and rarely/never get parted out that I've seen.

 

[bobking44]

Dougmcp

I'd like to know your thoughts concerning the Western (former fleet cart) I mentioned earlier and plan to look at on Friday.

Bob
S. CA

 

[dougmcp]

Palm Dessert was the home office when Western was still around and they sold a few carts to high end courses. The last Westerns made were in late 2006.
This is a high end cart and nearly the same as mine. If it has a speed chip, it is a PDS, I would think it is newer than my 1998. Just because it was part of a fleet, it should not be a problem. The batteries are new and if it drives well and has been maintained, I don't see any issues whatsoever. These carts are worth way more than an equivalent EZGO but because not many have heard of them they are harder to sell.
I'd say if your happy with the way it looks and feel good about the selling party, you can't go wrong.
The serial number is under the seat, passenger side on the frame beside the wheel well. The first number should be 400 then I think the 5th and 6th numbers are the month and year the cart was built, the rest are the actual serial number.
It should read something like mine 400078xxxxx, model 400, manufactured July 98.
Let me know if there is anything else you are thinking.

 

[bobking44]

Thanks Doug

That helps and thanks for your time as well.

If it turns out to be what it appears and what the owner says it is I will bring it home.

It appears that turn signals, horn, seat belts and possibly brake light switch is all I would need to make it street legal.

Bob

 

[dougmcp]

Street legal in California is a can of worms. In reality, you need to have a 17 digit VIN number. Based on the cart being ordered for fleet use on a gc and is 36v, I would doubt that it would have a VIN.
You can easily take these carts to 42v or even 48v and with very few mods can get them up to about 27 mph.
Good luck with your test drive.

 

[bobking44]

Doug

I have located another Western:

Western Golf Cart -- Compact Class C840 LX
very clean, hardly used, a distinctive
front end featuring halogen headlights, set
the mood for this custom golf cart.

Power Source Electric
Horsepower 3.3 continuous, 10.0 peak

Electrical System 48-volt IQ System, onboard computer, 250 amp controller with 4 programmable speed settings, 2 acceleration
settings and 3 pedal-up braking settings Batteries Six " NEW" 8-volt Batteries

How do the two compare?

Bob

 

[dougmcp]

I'm not really familiar with that specific model. I believe it is one of few that were built on the Club Car chassis. In the later years, I think Western had a bit of a falling out with EZGO probably regarding credit.
I have no idea what year that cart is but I do know that Club Car had quite a few problems in their early years with the IQ system and the OBC.
The programming can only be done by an CC authorized dealer and they usually charge $150 to change your settings. With EZGO you can buy a chip on eBay for $5.
Repair and parts info on Club Car seems to be an industry secret and there is nothing on the net as far as repair manuals like EZGO.
Don't go by me, I'm an EZGO guy and tend to stick with what I know.

 

[bobking44]

I test drove both the 400 and the other model unknown and gave a thumbs down on both.

I'm not really surprised as most things giving the appearance to being too good to be true are found to be such.
I am glad to have made the discoveryh before purchasing rather than after.

However, I am still looking.

Once again, thanks for your insights.

Bob

 

[dougmcp]

Too bad but at least you're getting an education on these carts.
Can I ask what you thought of both carts, what years were they after looking at the serial numbers and what you liked and didn't like about each?
That one over in Arroyo Grande is a beauty, probably way more than you want to spend but Yummy, I like it.
Western 400 Santa Barbara