Welcome to the only
Yamaha Lift Kit Guide
you'll ever need!
When it comes down to it, most golf carts were made with one main intention: transporting people around the delicate, manicured terrain of golf courses. And theyaregreat for that. But, today’s owner has bigger visions and broader requirements: LSV (low-speed vehicle). Off-Road. Around town. Backwoods trails. Camping. Beach. Business. Festivals. College campus. Hunting/Fishing. Neighborhood... and so much more.
Your trusted team at Golf Cart Stuff™ compiled the following guide to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the benefits of Yamaha Golf Cart Lift Kits, the types of lift kits available, and the difficulty level of each installation process.
Before You Begin
Selecting the best lift kit for your cart deserves some research. We’ve done it, clarified it, and organized it here to help you determine the best mix of functionality and ease of installation for your Yamaha golf cart. First, we’ll cover the general requirements and steps involved in installing a lift kit yourself. Then we break down the specifics of each style lift kit so you can make your final decision with complete confidence.
PRO TIP #1
Different lift kit manufacturers will require you to reuse some or all original hardware. We recommend you save ALL of the removed hardware for re-installation until your cart is completely re-assembled to be certain nothing gets lost or accidentally discarded.
PRO TIP #2
Take pictures of any/all connections before taking them apart to use as a reference when re-installing the components.
PRO TIP #3
The final step to any suspension work on a golf cart (including a lift kit and/or new wheels and tires) is to perform a front-end alignment. *Proper alignment increases the lifespan of the tires and the entire suspension and steering assemblies and ensures the golf cart operates safely.
Types of Lift Kits
Block Lift Kits
Easiest to install | Allows for up to 22" tires | Economical
Block lift kits are the most straightforward, entry-level lift kits available for golf carts. A block lift kit will provide just enough extra clearance to add up to 22” tires and enhance the cart’s appearance without the added complication or cost of a different style lift kit.
Made up of solid riser ‘blocks’ inserted into the suspension to add minimal clearance in the wheel wells, this lift kit contains the least amount of new parts to add to your cart– making installation a breeze. Simply loosen a few nuts and bolts from the shocks and leaf springs, then slide in the new riser blocks and secure everything back down. That’s all there is to it!
Block Lift Kits are the best decision for the Yamaha owner who is content with the age and performance of the cart’s existing suspension components (axle, shocks, arms, etc.) but wants to gain a bit of clearance. With the absence of all the performance-enhancing features found in other kits, block lift kits contain the least amount of parts to add to the cart; thus, the installation of this kit is also the most simple to perform.
Spindle Lift Kits
Next easiest to install | Available in multiple heights | Allows up to 23" tires
The spindle lift kit boasts added stability with a range of heights to choose from. Commonly chosen for their ability to produce a more “normal” driving experience for street use or light trail riding by lengthening the cart’s wheelbase, these kits are also relatively simple to install.
As the name suggests, this style lift kit replaces the existing spindles with new, extended-length, heavier-duty spindles and longer steering arms. While this kit does just replace the one component, it requires the disassembly of all the components attached to the original spindles– such as the original steering arm and box, hubs, axle, and kingpin. These components are then reassembled to the mounting points on the new spindles to complete the lift kit on the front of the cart. The rear portion of the spindle lift kit installation is essentially the same as in the block lift kits, requiring only the addition of riser blocks between the leaf springs and the axle.
A-Arm Lift Kits
Heaviest-duty lift kit | Replaces the most original parts | Multiple styles
A-arm lift kits are essentially a reinforced, heavier-duty version of a Spindle Lift Kit, except this premium version replaces the entirety of the golf cart’s front suspension, all in one convenient kit. In addition to the standard a-arm kits, which are exceptional in themselves, double a-arm varieties are available for those serious about extreme performance. A 6” a-arm lift kit on a Yamaha Golf Cart will allow the addition of up to 23" tall tires. These kits are top-of-the-line, providing the best in comfort and reliability for rugged, off-road driving surfaces.
A-Arm Lift Kits are value-packed with everything required for a complete suspension overhaul in one convenient package. That benefit does accompany a slightly higher price tag than other kits on the market, but it also comes with an entirely new suspension, something you won’t find in other options. This kit will certainly cost less over time and come with fewer surprises than purchasing the components individually. A-Arm lift kits are the most common amongst
Most of the a-arm lift kit installation process will resemble that of installing a Spindle Lift Kit, where most of the suspension components are temporarily disassembled so the old spindles can be replaced with new ones. The main difference between the two installation processes is that instead of re-mounting the steering arms, they will be removed completely and replaced with new parts from the kit.
At GCS™, we understand that investing in a lift kit for your golf cart is an important decision. Every lift kit arrives with written instructions, giving you the power to save time and additional cost by installing the kit yourself from the comfort of your own garage.
In addition to handy guides like this one, we take the worry out of your purchase by sifting through all the fluff and intentionally partnering with the best-known, highest-rated lift kit manufacturers.
*In a Wide Selection of Lift Kit Styles*
The Yamaha name surely needs no introduction. The brand is known for its wildly high-performing products– from Power sports all the way to music instruments, Yamaha's state-of-the-art manufacturing, high-performance motors, and innovative designs, Yamaha golf carts are truly in a league of their own. Even with all of these benefits, it’s still manufactured as a golf cart. Adding a lift kit will allow you to take this already quality machine to the next level (literally) with more aggressive tires for those challenging terrains, undercarriage clearance to avoid any obstacles, and superior shock absorption for any bumps along the way.
Before You Go...
As we mentioned at the beginning of this guide, the most important final step to installing a new lift kit on your golf cart is to perform a proper front-end alignment– even before taking the vehicle on a test drive. Considering that part of or the entire suspension has been unassembled, manipulated, replaced, and reassembled, it is critical to ensure that the components are aligned prior to operation to avoid damage or injury.Click here for a complete step-by-step guide to performing a front-end alignment on your golf cart, and don’t worry-- if you can install a lift kit, you candefinitelyhandle an alignment.
If you run into questions or concerns along the way, whether during the shopping process, on installation day, or beyond, Golf Cart Stuff™ has a team of product experts with years of industry experience and ready to answer your call, text, or email.
On the road to upgrading your Yamaha Golf Cart, there’s one clear starting point:a Lift Kit from Golf Cart Stuff™.From the added strength, stability, and safety, to the highly-coveted aggressive appearance, lifting a golf cart will elevate your driving experience like never before. Don’t stop there, though. No lift kit is truly complete without a sleek new set ofGCS™ wheels and tires!
