Increasing Front Track Width

[x5050160]

Hey y'all I have a Murry Explorer, 6.0 Tec Powersport, Comet TC, and a live axle. I am wanting to do 2 things: First I want to put a wider front axle on the kart. I at least want it to be as wide as the rear track, really wanting to go 2" wider. Second is I am wanting to increase the front tire size. It has 13.00x5.00 - 6 turf type on it now. They are so small it looks stupid, not to mention all my riding is gravel or wooded trails so i feel every bump. I am thinking this Duro ATV tire should be a great improvement? Any reason I should not do these mods to the front of this cart? And now...

 

[DHC]

There is nothing wrong w/ widening the frontend... infact there are SEVERAL advantages! The ONLY thing that I can come up w/ being an possible issue is clearance. When I say clearance, I mean, 'kinda' sticking out (ei.- taking a sharp turn and wheel hits the curb/tree/embankment). But that's "pebbles to boulders"... I say do it! It should make turning more stable, and a better traction (in turns) upgrade.

 

[itsid]

There is nothing wrong w/ widening the frontend... infact there are SEVERAL advantages!

Like a completely ruined steering geometry, and a kart that handles like CRAP afterwards?

Good steering geometry is not rocketscience true, but it's not trivial either.

So be prepared making new spindles at least.

'sid

 

[OzFab]

+1 for "do it", which could be as simple as offset rims or as difficult as cutting apart the entire front end of the kart...

 

[x5050160]

Ok I didn't think I would have a problem. I am thinking of completely cutting off the front axle, it is just a tube welded to the bottom of the kart frame. If i do a complete rebuild of the axle it will allow me to switch to a conventional spindle bracket. It has some weird little pieces of tube with these little springs on it. I would really like to go to 8" wheels so i can get an ATV tire up front eventually.
I figured it would make the kart more stable and less likely to roll. The bigger front tire should also help some. This thing has a push in almost every cornering situation ive put it in.

 

[OzFab]

There are easier ways than cutting off the entire axle; one example is to cut off just the spindle mount, weld in an extension, then attach the new brackets; if you use a plug inside the tube to brace the extension (which is highly recommended), once you're done, you won't even know the axle was touched...

This method will also drop the front end a little so, once you fit the larger wheels, the front end won't be too high; I also suggest, if you want to fit larger wheels/tyres, do it when you mod the axle so you know where to mount the new spindle brackets for the correct height...

 

[x5050160]

There are easier ways than cutting off the entire axle; one example is to cut off just the spindle mount, weld in an extension, then attach the new brackets; if you use a plug inside the tube to brace the extension (which is highly recommended), once you're done, you won't even know the axle was touched...

This method will also drop the front end a little so, once you fit the larger wheels, the front end won't be too high; I also suggest, if you want to fit larger wheels/tyres, do it when you mod the axle so you know where to mount the new spindle brackets for the correct height...

I thought of doing what you described, and i might do just that. The gusset welds look iffy. Plus the axle supports are freaking stupid! They are so bad i can't describe it. Heck one of them is a bolt... Yes a BOLT welded onto the axle and the frame.

??? So the front of the cart will be lower because i will be extending the tube in the part after the camber bend???
Im just guessing.