# Tire and rim upgrades **URL:** \ **Category:** GEM Forum\ **Created:** [January 13, 2015, 7:40pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719 "2015-01-13T19:40:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Rascal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/439d5e/32.png) [@Rascal](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Rascal)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/41 "2015-04-12T14:04:18Z")
I tried to buy a car from innovation company after giving up on finding a 2008 anniversary edition gem 2 dr. They only built a small amount and they sold for 16K at the stealer dealers. Not a lot of sales at that price. I called the owner that everybody said was such a great guy at Innovation company. He had a 2005 hard two door that was the to be the basis for my new car. After several conversations we worked out what color, optional equipment and price with his delivery to my domicile in Ft Myers. I was really excited, The owner told me that he would send me a contract to sign within two days. He had to leave that night to pick up two carts. I waited a week and no emails or calls from him. I sent him a voice message and a email no response for another week. He finally called. “I asked him what happened, I thought we had a deal” (I was hot). He said it was all my fault, I was supposed to call him and give him with my OK. The conversation vent downhill from then… A day later, I found an ad for a 3K mile 2008 anniversary edition with a factory installed 7 hp motor, soft doors, adjustable steering column, chrome ft/rear bumpers, and all the factory options including the rear storage pod and golf club bag holder. The owned had just put over 3K into it 3 months prior for gel batteries new 15 tires, mag wheels and transmission oil seal modification. He had the original dealer bill of sale for 16K. It had been dealer maintained its whole life and garage kept in “The Villages” only 2 hundred miles from me. It was his wife’s car and as she was very sick did not drive it any more. I was the first call that he had on his ad… He sent me several pictures and I sent him a deposit… actual sight unseen. The owner of Innovation had done me a real favor. He might build beautiful cars. But is really not a good business man. He not only does not call car parts buyers back… He does not call car buyers back! Jerry ---
**Author:** ![ApacheshoresGEM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@ApacheshoresGEM](https://community.electricforum.com/u/ApacheshoresGEM)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/42 "2015-04-12T16:01:38Z")
[quote=OLD HOUSEBOATER;24324]Heres the deal Ride For Fun sells 14" Wheel and tire packages that wont strain your cart fo $800 bucks. I just burned up a motor and had my controller rebuilt (Flight Systems $454) I had a spare motor. To pull the large Diameter tires and wheels your going to end up with at least a 7.5 HP motor and a bigger controller. Changing out to one of Marlons 12.44 trans axles would obviate that however. If your the same as Grant and I Working on them is as much fun as driving them GO FOR IT.[/quote] I bought it to wrench on it. I like breaking them before i fix them though…I have a 5 year old girl so wife requested that I stop racing. This is my toy for now…Trans axle swap sounds interesting. I have looked at the 7.5 motor and controller and was considering gears but was not sure… Should last until winter then its all coming apart. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2015, 4:14pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/43 "2015-04-12T16:14:32Z")
4" vs 400mm results in about 1/16th difference in pattern. If the aluminium wheels have the nuts with the full diameter protuusion you end up with a no fit condition. Steel rims are not thick enough to present a problem and the taper on the nut takes up the slack. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2015, 4:19pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/44 "2015-04-12T16:19:17Z")
> [@ApacheshoresGEM;24327](#): > > I bought it to wrench on it. I like breaking them before i fix them though…I have a 5 year old girl so wife requested that I stop racing. This is my toy for now…Trans axle swap sounds interesting. I have looked at the 7.5 motor and controller and was considering gears but was not sure… Should last until winter then its all coming apart. Marlon will sell you a set of gears. I bought my 10.35s from him. Your 5 HP and present controller will then do a good job if you keep it under 30 -35 Mph. You will need to reprogram your controller though. I just bought my own programmer. Every GEM nut should have his own. ---
**Author:** ![ApacheshoresGEM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@ApacheshoresGEM](https://community.electricforum.com/u/ApacheshoresGEM)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2015, 6:50pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/45 "2015-04-12T18:50:59Z")
> [@OLD HOUSEBOATER;24329](#): > > Marlon will sell you a set of gears. I bought my 10.35s from him. Your 5 HP and present controller will then do a good job if you keep it under 30 -35 Mph. You will need to reprogram your controller though. I just bought my own programmer. Every GEM nut should have his own. Do you have Marlons contact info or web site? Where did you get your programmer? 10.35s, will that present an issue with the hills? Our hills are crazy steep. Right now, with the new rims I fly up holding around 17MPH on the speedo, that I know is way off. I do not stuff it to the floor so I have never had an overheat situation. I hold the pedal where I can hold the speed without more pedal than needed. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2015, 10:55pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/46 "2015-04-12T22:55:27Z")
Marlon is "MZ MOTOR SPORTS 374 E H St, Chula Vista, CA 91910 (619) 247-4044 He is having some health issues and might be hard to get a hold of. Good guy!!. if you stay with 14 inch wheels your present controller and motor can handle 35MPH and torque can be bumped to handle your hills and still be fairly reliable. I got my programmer on Ebay and consider myself lucky. New ones are available (GE LX PROGRAMMER) at between 5 and 6 bills plus cables. I assume your cart is pre 2005 Marlon will also rent you a programmer. ---
**Author:** ![ceo.sapano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/41988e/32.png) [@ceo.sapano](https://community.electricforum.com/u/ceo.sapano)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2015, 11:04pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/47 "2015-04-12T23:04:13Z")
many thing to learn ---
**Author:** ![grantwest](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/grantwest/32/15_2.png) [@grantwest](https://community.electricforum.com/u/grantwest)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 7:11am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/48 "2015-04-13T07:11:20Z")
Marlon is alive and kicking. No health issues. (619) 247-4044. I have had great luck texting him. After 5pm west coast time is best. ---
**Author:** ![arandall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@arandall](https://community.electricforum.com/u/arandall)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 8:06am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/49 "2015-04-13T08:06:43Z")
As far as programming your controller is concerned, you can purchase software and a attachment cable to run on your laptop (using a USB-\>serial adaptor or serial port) which is less than the handheld programmer. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 8:21am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/50 "2015-04-13T08:21:51Z")
> [@ARandall;24344](#): > > As far as programming your controller is concerned, you can purchase software and a attachment cable to run on your laptop (using a USB-\>serial adaptor or serial port) which is less than the handheld programmer. It’s still available for T2 but they are sold out for a T1. here is their address. [GEM T1 Diagnostic and Programming Kit](http://home.paonline.com/rmeyer32/GemT1home.html) ---
**Author:** ![ApacheshoresGEM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@ApacheshoresGEM](https://community.electricforum.com/u/ApacheshoresGEM)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 9:52am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/51 "2015-04-13T09:52:35Z")
[quote=OLD HOUSEBOATER;24336]Marlon is "MZ MOTOR SPORTS 374 E H St, Chula Vista, CA 91910 (619) 247-4044 He is having some health issues and might be hard to get a hold of. Good guy!!. if you stay with 14 inch wheels your present controller and motor can handle 35MPH and torque can be bumped to handle your hills and still be fairly reliable. I got my programmer on Ebay and consider myself lucky. New ones are available (GE LX PROGRAMMER) at between 5 and 6 bills plus cables. I assume your cart is pre 2005 Marlon will also rent you a programmer.[/quote] 2008 or 09 have to check title. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 10:24am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/52 "2015-04-13T10:24:28Z")
00PS My previous comments were based on the 1999 - 2004 models. You may have the 12.44 axle. Is your motor the 5 or 7.5 HP? If you already have the 7.5 your set to go with the wheels you have. I would reprogram your controller though. You can buy a program thet works in your laptop fairly reasonable. [http://home.paonline.com/rmeyer32/GEMT4.html](http://home.paonline.com/rmeyer32/GEMT4.html) ---
**Author:** ![arandall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@arandall](https://community.electricforum.com/u/arandall)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 10:46am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/53 "2015-04-13T10:46:33Z")
At some point, the GE controller was changed to “hardcode” a speed limiter of 25mph. I’m not sure what year that was done. In those cases, you have to modify the speed sensor by removing a couple of magnets in order to fool the controller into sensing it’s only going at half speed if in fact you want to overspeed your GEM. ---
**Author:** ![ApacheshoresGEM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@ApacheshoresGEM](https://community.electricforum.com/u/ApacheshoresGEM)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 2:05pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/54 "2015-04-13T14:05:38Z")
[quote=OLD HOUSEBOATER;24349]00PS My previous comments were based on the 1999 - 2004 models. You may have the 12.44 axle. Is your motor the 5 or 7.5 HP? If you already have the 7.5 your set to go with the wheels you have. I would reprogram your controller though. You can buy a program thet works in your laptop fairly reasonable. [GEM Car T4/T5 Owners](http://home.paonline.com/rmeyer32/GEMT4.html)[/quote] 5HP… Did they have gearing options, match the motors to gear sets or use 12.44 in that years productions? ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 3:13pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/55 "2015-04-13T15:13:16Z")
You will have to look up the specs. I’m not sure when they went to 12.44 I think it was in 07 but i’m not sure. They have now reverted to 10.35 because the stock motor couldn’t take the REVs when hot rodded with stock tires and wheels. You will be amazed what 5 HP can do with a 12.44 even with the big wheels. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2015, 7:02pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/56 "2015-04-13T19:02:28Z")
> [@ARandall;24351](#): > > At some point, the GE controller was changed to “hardcode” a speed limiter of 25mph. I’m not sure what year that was done. In those cases, you have to modify the speed sensor by removing a couple of magnets in order to fool the controller into sensing it’s only going at half speed if in fact you want to overspeed your GEM. This happened when they went to the T3 and T4 controllers. If you have the tach hooked up and everything set to specs it will only let you go 25.5 MPH. It also will not let you reset the odometer. IMHO T2 controllers are GOLD If I had a T3 orT4 I would seriously consider a retro to a T2 ---
**Author:** ![Inwo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/inwo/32/1067_2.png) [@Inwo](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Inwo)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2015, 6:08pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/57 "2015-11-20T18:08:04Z")
[quote=OLD HOUSEBOATER;24359]This happened when they went to the T3 and T4 controllers. If you have the tach hooked up and everything set to specs it will only let you go 25.5 MPH. It also will not let you reset the odometer. IMHO T2 controllers are GOLD If I had a T3 orT4 I would seriously consider a retro to a T2[/quote] Would it plug in? Also what about wheels like these? ---
**Author:** ![Inwo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/inwo/32/1067_2.png) [@Inwo](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Inwo)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2015, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/58 "2015-11-20T18:21:22Z")
[quote=OLD HOUSEBOATER;24359]This happened when they went to the T3 and T4 controllers. If you have the tach hooked up and everything set to specs it will only let you go 25.5 MPH. It also will not let you reset the odometer. IMHO T2 controllers are GOLD If I had a T3 orT4 I would seriously consider a retro to a T2[/quote] Would it plug in? Also what about wheels like these? Gwest? ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2015, 6:26pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/59 "2015-11-20T18:26:37Z")
Close but no cigar. This is right up your ally pinouts are given for each controller models. GEM’s have used T1 T2 T3 T4 and T5 If you didn’t care about a display it would be pretty easy [Download Technical Manuals for Electric Forklift, Golf Cart Controls](http://www.fsip.biz/GEManualsDownload.html) ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Houseboater](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/old_houseboater/32/544_2.png) [@Old\_Houseboater](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Old_Houseboater)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719/60 "2015-11-20T18:30:10Z")
This is no longer a Tire and Rim thread so i’m closing it. If some one wants to talk about tires etc they can start a new thread [Previous page](https://community.electricforum.com/t/tire-and-rim-upgrades/4719.md?page=2)