golf cart
guru
• This article is going to be a little different
than most I’ve written. Its driven by an
email I got from Mike J from Orange County
California. Mike writes, “I’d really like to add
custom wheels and tires to my golf cart but
everywhere I look on the internet there are
different opinions on what will fit my cart.
What should I do? What will and won’t fit my
cart?”
I chose Marks email because this can be a
confusing situation. Let’s start at the basic.
All relatively current model golf carts have the
same wheel lug pattern, It’s called “4 on 4.”
What that means is there are four wheel studs
in a four inch circle. Note, this does not apply
to many industrial and specialty vehicles.
For more than twenty years the standard
tire size has been 18-8.5x8. This roughly
translates to eighteen inches tall, eight and a
half inches wide, to fit an eight inch diameter
wheel. Many manufacturers offer simple
first step upgrades that are sometimes
considered standard like a 205-50x10. As you
can probably figure out this is sized like an
automobile tire not like the typical 18-8.5x8
which is sized like an industrial tire. A 205-
50x10 is roughly twenty inches tall and fits a
ten inch wheel.
Most all standard and custom wheels for golf
carts are “centered” which means the flange
or the center part of the wheel where the
studs go through is the same distance from
the inside lip of the wheel and the outside lip
of the wheel.
There are many wheels that are built for lifted
or off-road carts that have what’s called an
off-set. What this means, is the flange, or the
center part of the wheel where the studs go
through is the closer to the inside lip of the
wheel and further the outside lip of the wheel.
There are also wheels with a reverse off-set.
As you would imagine this is just the opposite.
the
All of that being said if you have a street
car you’ll most likely opt for zero off-set or
centered wheels. They’re available in many
diameters, 10”, 12”, 13”, 14” and 15”. Then
decide which tire type you want. Nowadays
there are even steel belted radials in many
sizes to fit carts that are or are lifted or not.
The size is of course important too. For
example you can fit a taller tire on a non lifted
E-Z-GO than on a Club Car.
Another thing to consider is the tire wall
height. The shorter the wall the better the
cart will handle but the rougher the ride. The
inverse is true as well.
The best thing to do is talk to your local
dealer. They can direct you as to which tire
and wheel will fit your cart best.
Good luck and have fun. And feel free to write
if you have any golf cart questions. •
Have a question? Send it to Tim at: [email protected]
NOVEMBER
OCTOBER 2018
37