Small security/utility trucks?

[Lil Foot]

I have been trying to remember some companies that built small utility trucks for security/maintenance/groundskeeping personnel, and can only come up with Cushman & Jacobsen. Can anyone add to the list? I'm only interested in 4 wheel vehicles, not tricycles.
I'm trying to locate a front axle with a real kingpin/spindle/possible front brake setup to adapt to Lil Foot. (not your Grandpa's golf cart)

 

[niteshiftfromkc]

We have Taylor Dunn and Clark's at our factory. We used to have Kalamazoo as well, but switched over to the others due to the rough ride on the Kalamazoo (no shocks/springs and solid hard rubber tires). Not sure how the axle on the Taylor Dunn is, but I know that the mechanics always have to replace the kingpins on them due to the fact that they haven't fixed the potholes around the outside of the building.

 

[bcp]

Get a 2wd Jeep front axle. (Postal, 2wd Cherokee or Comanche, etc.) Different models had different lengths, coil or leaf suspension, disk or drum brakes. It has a straight tube that can be easily narrowed if needed.

https://www.google.com/search?q=2wd+jeep+front+axle

Click on images for some to look at.

Bruce

 

[Lil Foot]

Interesting. Keep 'em coming.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I can think of a lot of small 2wd and 4wd car/ mini truck front ends that would work beautifully and you would get three things, real spindles, brakes and possibly even rack and pinion/power steering out of it.
Another option would be to get a older big Quad and use the front end out of it,
most of them have bearings in the spindles and some also have disk brakes.

 

[Tooljunkie]

Yes, front ends from atv's would work. Thinking golf carts,but i havent seen any with brakes on the front.
I have a 2wd polaris atv in my junk pile,perfect candidate.

 

[skeets]

We aint gona do a gasser front end are we?

 

[DocHolladay]

Something like these? I have wanted one of these for a while. They can really trick them out.

Mini Trucks

 

[Lil Foot]

The problem is that the golf cart spindles (pic #3 in post #1) have nice, beefy, 1" dia axle/wheel bearing assemblies, but the kingpin setup is woefully inadequate, even with stock wheels, let alone the huge rims & massive tires on mine. As shown in #1 pic below, the spindle casting only has room for a couple of short, thin, oilite bronze bushings for the 11/16" kingpin bolt. (#2 pic) These bushings are completely inadequate for the weight & side loading, so they wear quickly, yielding lots of play in the steering. Ideally, I would like to add a set of upper & lower tapered roller bearings of suitable size to handle the load, but there just isn't enough "meat" in the EZGO spindles. That's why I'm considering swapping to a more heavy duty "automotive" style front axle, IF one exists that I can find, adapt, & afford. Found a couple Jeep 2wd drive axles as suggested above, $1900 for one & $2500 for the other. Ouch. I have recently found there are aftermarket bushings that may fit mine that are full length & a different material, but further research is necessary. (#3 pic)

 

[Lil Foot]

Something like these? I have wanted one of these for a while. They can really trick them out.
Mini Trucks

I really like those little trucks, but have never seen a junker or parts truck to cannibalize. But I'll keep looking.

 

[Lil Foot]

We aint gona do a gasser front end are we?

Maybe, I've almost got a Gasser style front axle now, just too light duty & upside down.

 

[skeets]

Is that a 55?

 

[Lil Foot]

Is that a 55?

Don't know, just grabbed a pic with a similar axle. Sorry.

 

[DocHolladay]

I really like those little trucks, but have never seen a junker or parts truck to cannibalize. But I'll keep looking.

I didn't look to deep, but they have parts on the website. Might be able to find what you want there or call them and ask.