If you've been looking to beef up your ride, installing a jake's lift kit club car setup is probably the best way to get that rugged look and extra clearance you're after. There is something incredibly satisfying about taking a standard, run-of-the-mill golf cart and turning it into something that looks like it could tackle a trail or a muddy field without breaking a sweat. It isn't just about the aesthetics, though the "cool factor" is definitely a huge part of it. It's about making your cart more functional for the way you actually use it.
Whether you've got a Club Car DS that's been in the family for years or a newer Precedent model, these carts are famous for being workhorses. But let's be honest: in their stock form, they aren't exactly built for off-roading. They sit low to the ground, which is fine for the fairway, but if you're taking it to a hunt camp, a farm, or just cruising around a bumpy neighborhood, you're going to want some height. That's where a Jake's kit comes into play.
Why People Swear by Jake's
You've probably noticed there are a ton of cheap lift kits floating around online. It's tempting to grab the cheapest one you find, but anyone who has spent time working on carts will tell you that's usually a mistake. A jake's lift kit club car install is a different story altogether. These kits have a reputation for being overbuilt in the best way possible. They're made in the USA, and the steel they use is thick, the welds are clean, and the fitment is usually spot on.
When you're lifting a vehicle, even a small one like a golf cart, you're changing the geometry of the suspension. If the kit is poorly engineered, your cart is going to handle like a shopping cart with a bad wheel. It'll dart around, feel "flighty" at high speeds, and wear out your tires in a month. Jake's spends a lot of time making sure their kits maintain proper steering geometry, so your Club Car actually stays fun to drive.
Picking the Right Style of Lift
Not all lift kits are created equal, and Jake's offers a few different flavors depending on what you're trying to achieve. You generally have to choose between a spindle lift and an A-Arm lift.
Spindle Lift Kits
The spindle lift is usually the go-to for people who want a moderate lift—usually 3 to 6 inches—without completely tearing the front end of the cart apart. It replaces the stock spindles with longer ones. It's a relatively simple install, and it gives you plenty of room to fit 20-inch or 22-inch tires. If you're mostly driving on flat ground, gravel paths, or light trails, this is probably all you need. It's cost-effective and gets the job done.
A-Arm Lift Kits
Now, if you're planning on getting a little wild, the A-Arm lift is the way to go. This kit replaces the entire front suspension. It's a lot more robust than a spindle lift and allows for more wheel travel. This is what you want if you're navigating actual terrain—roots, rocks, or uneven dirt. It makes the ride a lot smoother because it can soak up bumps better than the stock leaf spring setup. It also gives the cart a wider stance, which helps with stability. Since you're raising the center of gravity, having that wider footprint is a massive plus for safety.
The Install Process: Can You Do It Yourself?
I get asked this a lot: "Can I do this in my garage on a Saturday?" The short answer is yes, absolutely. If you have a decent set of sockets, a jack, and some jack stands, you can handle a jake's lift kit club car installation. One of the things I love about Jake's is that they actually include instructions that make sense. They aren't just blurry photocopies; they walk you through it.
That said, there are a few things that can trip you up. On older Club Car DS models, those leaf spring bolts can be a real pain if they've been sitting in a damp garage for twenty years. They love to rust and seize up. My advice? Spray everything with PB Blaster or some kind of penetrating oil a day before you start. It'll save you a lot of swearing and at least one broken knuckle.
The back of the cart is usually the easy part. You're basically just putting blocks under the leaf springs or swapping the shackles to get that rear end up. Just make sure you've got the cart securely on jack stands. Don't be that person trying to do this with just a floor jack holding the weight—it's not worth the risk.
Choosing Your Tires and Wheels
Once you've got your jake's lift kit club car setup installed, the stock 8-inch wheels are going to look hilarious—and not in a good way. They'll look like little donut tires on a monster truck. The whole point of the lift is to make room for bigger rubber.
For a 6-inch lift, most people go with 23-inch tires. This is the "sweet spot" for most Club Cars. It gives you plenty of ground clearance and looks aggressive without requiring you to cut into the bodywork. If you go with an all-terrain tread, you'll be amazed at where the cart can go. Just keep in mind that bigger tires mean your motor has to work harder. If you've got a stock electric cart, you might notice a slight drop in torque on hills, though you'll actually gain a little bit of top-end speed because of the larger circumference.
How It Changes the Drive
Driving a lifted Club Car feels completely different. You're sitting higher up, you've got a better view of your surroundings, and the cart just feels more substantial. However, you have to remember it isn't a sports car anymore. You shouldn't be taking sharp corners at full throttle.
One thing you'll definitely want to do after the install is check your alignment. If your tires are "toed in" or "toed out" too much, the cart will feel twitchy. Jake's kits make it pretty easy to adjust the toe, and it's worth spending the extra fifteen minutes with a tape measure to get it straight. It'll make the steering feel way more natural and keep your expensive new tires from wearing out prematurely.
Maintenance and Long-Term Care
After you've been out on the trails or through some mud, don't just park the cart and forget about it. Lift kits have moving parts and pivot points that need a little love. I usually tell people to crawl under there every few months and make sure all the bolts are still tight. Vibration from off-roading can loosen things over time.
Also, if your kit has grease fittings (zerks), use them! A little bit of fresh grease goes a long way in preventing squeaks. Nobody wants to drive a cool-looking lifted cart that sounds like a rusty bed frame every time you hit a bump. Keeping the suspension lubricated will also extend the life of your bushings, which is a win-win.
Is It Worth It?
At the end of the day, people invest in a jake's lift kit club car project because they want to get more out of their vehicle. Whether you're using it for work around a farm, hauling gear to a deer stand, or just being the person with the coolest cart in the campground, the upgrade is worth every penny. It changes the entire personality of the machine.
It's one of those projects that gives you a real sense of accomplishment once you drop it off the jack stands and see it sitting high for the first time. It stops being just a golf cart and starts being a legitimate utility vehicle. If you're on the fence, I say go for it. Just take your time with the install, get some good tires to match, and you'll wonder why you didn't do it years ago.