A golf cart lift kit makes it easier to boost ride stability and ground clearance. With the kit, you can fit larger, more robust tires capable of handling challenging terrain. The best part is that the top 4 golf cart lifts enhance front suspension performance without undermining the cart’s overall safety.
Depending on the type of lift kit you choose, it becomes possible to raise the cart an additional three to eight inches.
Types of Lift Kits
Lift kits come in several heights or sizes to suit varying ground clearance requirements. These variants include drop spindle, A-arm, block axle, drop axle, and long travel. Let’s take a look at each type of lift kit.
Drop Spindle Lift Kits
The drop spindle is undoubtedly the most popular lift kit available on the market. Most buyers opt for this type because it is easier to install and manage. Furthermore, drop spindle kits are more affordable and easier to maintain compared to other options. The kit fits seamlessly into your cart’s suspension, enabling you to take advantage of better stability, which is crucial for navigating sharp corners.
A-Arm Lift Kits
With the A-arm kits, the installation process is relatively cumbersome as it replaces the cart’s suspension. However, you benefit from a significantly smoother and comfy ride, even in rugged terrain. An additional benefit of these kits is that you can fit larger tires onto your cart to suit specific requirements. The kits come with a circular design instead of a square, improving aesthetic appeal, and bolstering strength and durability.
Drop Axle Lift Kit
This variant transforms your cart by adding a longer stock radius, tapering down to spindles fitted onto your cart. As with the A-arm kits, you elevate the height by replacing the cart’s front axle. A drop axle kit is a viable option if you are looking for a reliable and economical kit. One advantage of this lift is that it eliminates the need to disassemble your spindles.
Block Axle Lift Kit
With block axle kits, you will find it easier to gain four inches in height without the inconvenience of a cumbersome installation process. These kits are affordable but come with only one size option. On the upside, there is no need to worry about disassembling your suspension to fit the kit. Instead, you fit the block axle lift kit onto the existing suspension.
Long Travel Lift Kits
Although long travel lift kits are pricier, they provide superior performance than other kits available on the market. They can separate the rear and suspension components. These kits come with robust springs, which act as shock absorbers -a handy feature when traversing rough terrain. Long travel kits are typically available in heights ranging from six inches and eight inches to maximize ground clearance.
Golf Cart Lift Kit Sizes
The top 4 golf cart kits offered by various manufacturers come with varying heights. Hence, you can select a lift kit height to match the terrain you plan to ride over.
Here are some of the standard lift kit sizes.
Three-Inch Lift Kits
This height option is ideal for adding 20-inch tires to your golf cart. Drop axle, A-arm, and drop spindle kits offer three-inch heights, which come at an affordable price.
Four-Inch Lifts
With this size, you can take advantage of easy installation and low-cost benefits. You can fit the kits onto a block axle.
Six-Inch Lifts
Six-inch lifts are undoubtedly one of the most popular sizes you will find in retail outlets. The majority of golf cart manufacturers offer units that can accommodate this height. With the six-inch lifts, it becomes easier to fit tires sizes of up to 23 inches.
Five-Inch Lifts
Although this lift height is an unpopular option, it can accommodate tires up to 22 inches.
Seven- and Eight-Inch Lifts
These lift kit sizes are ideal for extreme environments where lower height units cannot operate. They can fit on long-travel and coil-over styles, which can handle rough terrain with huge rocks and other features that require a heavy-duty suspension coupled with larger tires. You are sure to find it easier to absorb the shock caused by huge bumps and rocks.
Lift Kit Installation Options
The correct installation of a lift kit is critical to maximizing performance and safety. The best approach is to enlist the help of a professional technician. Doing so eliminates the risk of installation errors. The process typically involves modifying torques and steering angles. Any installation issues could result in structural complications that compromise the flexibility of the suspension.
Cost
Top 4 golf cart lift kits and other units offered by various brands come at different prices. Cheaper kits typically retail for between $200 and $350. On the other hand, high-end lift kits are available at amounts ranging between $700 and $1,500.
If you have mechanical skills to fit the kit as a DIY job, your expenses will not include any labor costs for installation. Hiring a professional to install golf cart kits can cost you roughly $75 per hour.
Lift Kit Brands
The ideal lift kit depends on your golf cart’s manufacturer since suspensions differ in design and other aspects. Some brands like Club Car, Yamaha, and EZ-GO require unique kits specially designed for their carts. These brands, except EZ-GO, come with limited space on the stock assembly to accommodate large tires.
Meanwhile, brands like MadJax, Jake’s, All Sports, and Double Take provide the best kits for your cart. The products come in wide-ranging styles to suit your specific ground clearance and performance needs. You can count on the kits to help fit larger tires onto the cart without undermining safety.
Top 4 Golf Cart Lift Kit Brands 2021
MadJax
MadJax is synonymous with high-quality standards. You can count on the kits to install easily, thanks to the brand’s Quick Attach System. On the other hand, color coding enables you to identify and match the components more conveniently.
All the golf cart kits come with durable bushings, a comprehensive set of components, and a high gloss coat finish. MadJax lift kits are compatible with carts manufactured by Yamaha, Club Car, and EZ-GO. Price range – $350 – $400
Jake’s Lift Kits
Jake’s offers a range of quality products that are available at reasonable prices. The kits fit easily onto the cart’s undercarriage. It is no surprise that the brand forms part of the top 4 golf cart lift kits. You can expect high-quality products capable of ensuring a smooth ride on different types of terrain.
The units are available in three-inch, four-inch, five-inch and six-inch heights to match varying off-road carting needs. Jake’s manufactures several lift styles, including A-arm, spindle, and drop axle. Price range – $250 – $400.
All Sports Lift Kits
All Sports Lift Kits provide a viable way to improve the functionality and style of your cart. They fit onto carts manufactured by Yamaha, EZ-GO, MOKE America, and Club Car.
The lifts are durable and easy to install, thanks to the custom design. All Sports employs innovative design techniques to meet the high-performance standards expected by customers. Price range – $370 – $1,400.
RHOX Lift Kits
RHOX manufactures kits that are compatible with Yamaha, EZ-GO, and Club Car carts. The units are available in three-inch, four-inch, six-inch and seven-inch heights. This brand is synonymous with top-notch engineering. You can find the safest and strongest kits for your golf cart. Price range – $350 – $1,000.
Summary
You should pick the right lift kit to match the size of the tires you want to fit. For instance, six-inch lifts are suitable for 23-inch tires. Likewise, match the golf cart brand with the lift kit that fits onto the suspension or undercarriage. Meanwhile, some kits require professional installers’ help due to the difficulty levels associated with the installation process.
