COVER STORY

Just Money Just Money

STORY & PHOTOGAPHY BY TROY MERRIFIELD

Searching for carts to grace our cover of Golf Carting Magazine is always a fun challenge. This is our chance to get out and see what is going on in the golf cart industry. Sometimes you come across a cart that just screams: Photograph me! That is how we decided on this issue’s cover. I recently reconnected with one of my old friends, John Tsaninos, who has been building custom carts as well as custom cart parts. A lot has happened since the first time

I met John. Back in the day -- 13 or so years ago -- his business Procart Industries was nothing but knocking out cool custom carts. When the economy crashed, so did his business. He was left with a stockpile of parts, but the phone calls for building a custom cart dried up. His phone did keep ringing, though, with

people needing golf cart and service work. While this was enough to make a living, John had higher goals.

John and I met up for lunch to chat about what we have been doing for the last 13 years. Knowing that he had a big space, I was curious what he did with all of his tools, carts and golf cart parts. He had moved everything to a warehouse and was busy servicing and delivering parts around the Phoenix, Arizona valley.

The story begins when John met his friend Brian for breakfast one morning. Brian had just sold his landscape business and was looking to invest in a new company. John mentioned to Brian that they should open Golf Cart Parts Company. John owned the dot com and was looking for someone that could handle the daily CFO duties that it would take with a new business. Brian asked what it would take, and John told him that it would take about $50k to get things rolling. After only a short pause Brian said, "Let's do it!"

They started looking for buildings to handle their new endeavor. They found a 3500 sq. ft. building in Chandler, AZ. The business was doing well and they quickly outgrew the space. Through the next couple

of years Golf Cart Parts Company would outgrow two more buildings, landing them into a 28,000 sq. ft. building in Gilbert, AZ that they now call home. Golf Cart Parts Company now has the room to grow with a large showroom and five service bays in the back and a lot of extra storage.

As the conversation progressed, I mentioned that I wanted to start a golf cart magazine, hoping to get confirmation that it was a good idea. He thought that the golf cart market was growing and that it indeed would be a good time for such an endeavor. With his custom cart building background, he mentioned that he had a golf cart he had been working on for eight months that would be great to cover in the magazine. The shop's code name for this cart was "Big Green." So, some four months later this is where we are at today. We hope you enjoy this cover story that is appropriately named "Just Money."

This cart began its life as a 2007 Yamaha gas cart. Starting with the wheels and tires, John chose a set of Fuel 17" Motto Metal M097 alloy wheels, wrapped in LT235/70 R17 Patagonia M/T Milestar tires. With larger-than-stock tires, John started

working on the suspension with master mechanic and fabricator Bill Antle of Golf Cart Parts Company. Starting at the front, they chose a Procart Industries long travel suspension that they modified to give the cart a total of 26" lift. Rather than shocks, the team went with Firestone air bags on the front in order to lower the cart so you can actually get in it. The rear setup is comprised of one large single air bag and a massive swing arm. Located at the front of the swing arm, DC480 1/3 hp compressors were mounted along with a 5gal 7-port air tank. Lighting up the undercarriage of this beast are eight Mictuning RGB LED rock lights. Up top, a set of Wayup 5ft lighted whips were mounted on the back.

Since this cart will spend most of its life carting down in Mexico, the large platform of the cart was extended 1ft per side and an additional 3ft in length. The small center jump seat in the middle of the cart can be removed to open up the cart’s dance floor. The seats were covered in a diamond stitch pattern from Spencer at Vidal's Upholstery in Phoenix, AZ.

To get the party started, Procart Industries/John Tsaninos used all JL Audio in the design of the stereo system. A special thanks to the guys at Unique Audio for tuning the system.

Since there is no top on the cart, an All Sports Manufacturing sport windshield was added for a more stylish look. They outfitted the cart with a Grant steering wheel, and a Jakes shift lever was added and modified by John and Bill. A set of Bully T-304 stainless steel steps were installed to help assist loading occupants. When you want to be heard, a quick blast of the Hornblasters Rocker AH-S4 air horn will get the attention of unsuspecting passersby.

The heart of the beast is a V-Twin 74hp Vanguard engine with modifications from Al Hodge at V-T Performance. It has

more than enough power to push this beast loaded full of people. A Procart Industries XLHP differential with custom hp clutch kit helps reach a top speed of 45mph. To slow down Big Green, Bill Antle, John and Procart Industries designed a disc brake system complete with hydraulic cross drilled custom rotors.

When partying out on the beach with family and friends, the rear Green Power generator will allow for hours of light and tunes. It provides 3500 watts of starting power and 3000 watts of running power.

We like unusual golf carts, and this is one of them. While it’s not your typical cart, it still has a lot of golf cart pedigree in it. There are so many unique qualities that make this cart cool.

Golf Cart Parts Company is located at 1720 W Elliot Rd, Gilbert, Arizona 85233. Check them out at www.golfcartpartscompany.com.