COVER STORY: SHADOAN EDITION

If you have been following us on Facebook or on our website, you just might know that you can submit your cart to possibly be featured in the magazine. For those of you that have high quality photos and detailed information, you can go to our Instagram page, click on the link in our Bio and click on the link: https://drum.io/golfcartingmag, and click on the link titled “Submit your Custom Golf Cart” to submit your cart.

This issue’s "Custom Golf Cart" feature comes from Eric Shadoan, from Sumter, SC a Mini Truck enthusiast that took his first crack at building a custom golf cart.

This custom golf cart is a 2010 E-Z-GO TXT, below is Eric’s written submission detailing the build.

ERIC, COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS CUSTOM BUILD?

Of course. This build originally started as a build-off cart. Golf Carts Modified on Facebook was doing a nationwide build-off contest. I started with a raw frame that I picked up from Travis Andrews of Golf Carts Modified, in Savannah, GA. Next, I called Travis’s business partner, Cory Osteen, to help me with the build. He had done a few limo carts in the past, and I knew he was the guy to show me the way.

Cory was instrumental in helping me determine the specifications of what needed to be cut and we got to work. We stretched the cart 3-feet from its original length. Growing up around Mini Trucks and Low Riders I knew I wanted to bag this cart. There are other bagged carts, but none of them use 17-inch wheels that I am aware of. I knew this build was going to be a challenge, and I was up for it

We needed to narrow the front and rear axle by 3 inches in order to get the wheels in tight and get it as low as possible. Once the cart was stretched and axles narrowed, we then started looking into how to set up the suspension. Just like a mini truck we built a custom two-link set up for the rear with the 2500lb bags mounted on top of the link bars.

Once the cart was a rolling chassis, we loaded it up and brought it home to do the tear down and clean it up, paint the frame and the suspension parts. Another good friend of mine, Joey Collins, helped me with the steering on the cart. Golf carts are not meant to be bagged and anyone that has done one with the 4-bolt steering knows it’s a struggle.

After a lot of trial and error we finally got the steering set

up efficiently for a full lift and used Monroe air shocks. Once that was done, I reached out to Cory Osteen to order a full Navitas AC kit for the cart because I wanted the speed and reliability.

While waiting for delivery of power and speed, I got to work on the dash. Kicker Audio would be my sound choice preference, with their marine grade components, flashy LED lights and of course, their amazing sound quality. So, I ordered four 6.5’s, two 8’s, a head unit and amp straight from Kicker. My brother Jason and I came up with an overall design of the dash. Once the shell was built to my satisfaction, the labor-intensive fiberglass work began.

My next task was working out the color scheme for the cart. I wanted a simple, classy look that would pop. I decided to use the same white that blanketed my GMC Sierra for the exterior color and finish of the interior with a red. My dad Pete owns Shadoan’s Auto Glass and Upholstery and I gave him the mission to recover the plain seats for me so that he could put his masterful touch on them.

Knowing that I wanted all marine grade material for longevity, I had him place the order and we went over the design that I envisioned

for the seats. My goal was to keep the cart unique, so in the middle of the front seats I had my brother incorporate two cup holders flush with the top of the seat and matching red carpet for the flooring. I must say it turned out better than I ever expected!

Once the Navitas stuff came in it was time to wire everything up and make this thing run. Let me just tell you Navitas is the way to go! So far, I’ve had this cart up to 40mph!

When the body of the cart was finished being painted, I started the reassembly process. Seeing this thing come together was absolutely mind blowing and gave me motivation to keep pushing to get it done. For my first ever full build, I’m very pleased with the overall outcome of this cart and can’t wait to do another later down the road.

WAS THERE ANY CUSTOM FABRICATION OR CUSTOMMADE PARTS FOR THIS BUILD?

Yes, we made a custom 2 -link rear suspension. We also narrowed the front and rear axle and shortened the steering column by 2 inches. We custom built the front seat, built a custom fiberglass dash, made custom seat covers, made a custom steering linkage and custom-built aluminum sill plates.

WHAT AFTERMARKET PARTS DID YOU USE?

Forever Sharp - Steering wheel Riddler - 17” rims Navitas - 5k AC motor, & 600amp controller Little Larry’s-Manual air valves Kicker- Marine grade speakers with leds(4-6.5” & 2-8”) and 800wt amp Jakes-Sport windshield Viair - Compressor Airlift - 2500lb bags, polished air tank Monroe - Front air shocks

CAN YOU GIVE US SOME BACKGROUND ABOUT YOURSELF AND HOW LONG YOU HAVE BUILDING CARTS?

This is my first complete build and my second cart in total. I’ve followed local cart builders in my area and followed people building carts online and it looked like something I could get into. I’ve always been into custom cars and trucks and thought why not try a golf cart?

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

I plan to take to the cart to a couple of shows on the East coast and then sell it to enable another build.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

I would like to thank everyone who was involved with this build and the sponsors who helped as well.

• Kicker Audio - All audio • Pete & Jason Shadoan (Shadoan’s Auto Glass & Upholstery) - Seats and carpet • Brandon Burrell with Burrell Images - Photos • Little Larrys • Sumter Tire Plus - Jason Vealey • Kris Seale - Paint • Robbie Castleman - Stickers • Brewers Bar & Grill • Wes Disher - Top Notch Mobile Detailing • Golf Carts Modified- Travis Andrews/Cory Osteen/Ryan O’Rear • Joey Collins