gl1500 motor in a cushman truckster

[85 wingman]

Hello my name is John I'm new here so if I do something wrong don't throw the hammer at me. I have put a GL1500 motor in a Cushman truckster 4 wheel pickup not the 3 wheeler. The motor and harness are from an 89. I have a complete harness for it however I’m looking to use as little as possible to make it run. This is a carburetor model so I'm hoping it will not need allot of the harness. It has reverse and I want to hook it up as well. I have some of a wiring diagram but with the harness in one box, relays in another box it's a little over whelming to say the least. All I need I guess is to make spark and she will run. If there’s anyone that can convert the harness to remove all the sensors I would pay to get it done. If someone had a simple diagram to it I would buy that. The buggy will never be on the road and may only ever get to 3rd gear. We have plans to drive it at the Nationals in NY this coming summer. Golf carts are boring lol.

[littlebeaver]

John your a card man, first thing I did was laugh man, I think it's neat but Wow man, you're pretty smart there... You will bring smiles to everyone's faces and you know it, Welcome to the site... I love it...Anything different is cool..

[keithg64]

Cant help you with the wiring, but man thats cool.

[WingAdmin]

There isn't really an easy way to remove harnesses, sensors etc. and have it still run. The spark is controlled by the ECU, and the ECU requires all the sensors in order to decide how to run the engine (i.e. time spark advance, etc).

You could perhaps jury-rig something that used a fixed spark timing generated off a pulse generator - but I wouldn't expect it to run well.

Even just removing some of the plumbing related to emissions will cause it to run poorly because the ECU will try to compensate for something it doesn't understand is happening.

[seabee_]

Cool truck. I would say it's a 'wing you can ride in the winter time. I agree with keeping all the sensors. It's not worth the headache to remove any. You're better off keeping it together as a unit. Post pics when the project's finished.

[85 wingman]

Update on cushman/wing we got it running today. The harness wasn't bad to cut down with a wiring diagram. theres really not much needed to make it run. Once we found the hot wire to the brain box it was easy. With power to the box all the other switchs and sensors were elimated, kill switch, kickstand, tip over ect. we kept the water temp for cold start but thats about it. Now to get the rearend hooked to the motor and go for ride.

[WingAdmin]

If you can get a video to post, I'd love to see it! I want to see how that thing accelerates...

[85 wingman]

Dialed in the motor some more today. It's running good, we also named the thing today. It's now known as a "cushonda" (pronounced cush-honda) with open head pipes I have to say the thing sounds cool as he!!. we are making our own pipes for each side when done it will look like dual stacks up the back of the cab. Inside there will be 3 pipes coming up inside about half way up the stack.

[85 wingman]

Will try to get a you tube video up this weekend. fuel tank is in radiator in all the cables hooked up. We hope to take it for a spin this weekend and see what it does. The sound from this is unbelieveable. has flappers on the exhaust with 2 3/4" straight pipe great throttle response.

[thrasherg]

I love the project, cant wait to see the video.. You certainly won't bump into another vehicle like this. You will have to tell us where you are taking her so we can see her in the flesh.. Great idea and I suspect a lot more work than your making it sound like.. do keep us posted.

Gary

[85 wingman]

Heres a link to the you video



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Up and going runs great. now more work to do have to make it look pretty

[Steve F]

THAT IS AMAZING! (notice the all caps, because I'm shouting)! I love that thing, really cool and looks like a blast to drive too. MORE VIDEOS PLEASE
Does it have reverse too? what can you show us about how you did the drive system?
So cool!

[85 wingman]

the reverse is not hooked up yet but it will be. We are going to use a reverse polarity solenoid for a electric plow motor. Theres a lever in the cab that you push forward and that engages the reverse gear it will have a switch hooked to it. When you push the lever it will engage the gear and starter. The choke is on a lever in the cab as well. looks like levers in a dump truck. In this video you can see them for a second between the seats. sorry about the audio the wind was blowing real hard. Some of what we did: the fuel tank is an 5 gal air tank from harbor freight, the water tank is from an international tractor, the rear tires going on it came from a sears lawn tractor, stacks are home made from 2 3/4" exhaust pipe. Theres electric fuel pump on it. radiator is a oil cooler from a crane hydraulics system real thick. It's plumbed with cooper tubing and heater hose. The deck is getting aluminum diamond plate from the cab to the end of the motor both sides it's an old dock plate. The rest of the deck is getting plywood and two bench seats one down each side. In the rear center is going an old military fuel can and tail lights. We have some 2 1/2" exhaust pipe we are making running boards out of for bench seats. We have a 30 kendal oil drum we cutting in 1/2 and putting over the drive shaft and it will say kendal on it. I think we might paint it school bus yellow and my buddy and partner in it wants to have the grandkids put thier hand prints and write there names on it. We have all the glass and the doors for it. We are taking it to the nationals in syracuse. Not for show just drive around instead of the golf cart.



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[robb]

It's reassuring to know if I decide to put a Gl1500 engine in my 86 Alfa Spider there will be no prowlems to deal with. There is room enough and would like to use the Alfa tranny. Lock GL tranny in 1st or 2nd gear and let output drive flywheel. Alfa rear is in low 400's and should do as good as stock 140 hp engine.

[85 wingman]

We have decided what we are going to do with the Cushman. We are going to use it to raise money for kids with cancer. We are trying to get in touch with CCA Children Cancer Association and the people who head up the Syracuse nationals. Our plan is to paint it school bus yellow and have kids with cancer put hand prints all over it. Then take it to the nationals and drive it around all day and try to raise money. I think it will draw attention to itself and our hope is that they join the cause and make a donation.

[thrasherg]

What a great idea, be sure to post on here, where we can also send donations..

Gary

[85 wingman]

update on the cushman. It's getting close to being finished. We changed it up a little as we went along it looked more like a fire truck than a school bus so a fire truck it is. Hope to get a video maybe next weekend. Since the picture was takin I have put in the head liner, clearance lights, 2 yellow spot lights, air horn, CB radio and PA speaker. We have a yellow ladder that goes on the rack and some hard suction lines (fake) that hang on the side of the rack. I made all new seats for it including rear seats. Has carpet in the front with nice looking trim. The smily face is going together. It has a tongue that is hooked to a wiper motor so it licks it's lips. Has two headlights that get an eyebrow and also has a nose. Kids should like it I hope.

[thrasherg]

You have way too much free time!!

what a great project..

Gary

[85 wingman]

Well it's done, what a fun project. Now off too the Syracuse nationals and try to raise money. Heres a link of the completed truck hope you like the use of a GL1500. Sounds great runs great and I think it looks good as a mid engine.

[85 wingman]

Not sure why the link didn't show up. Heres another try.


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[WingAdmin]

That's awesome! I love the windshield wiper driven tongue, it's by far my favorite feature.

[framickie]

FANTASTIC, anyone would be proud of that project and to use it for such a great cause AAA+++
i'm sure the youtube sound doesn't do it justice but it still sounds awesome

Thanks for sharing it with us
A Goldwing, even if its just the engine, doing what it should, bringing pleasure to those that own one ( or more ) and pleasure to those that just see one in action

Great job

thanks
Frank

[DEBERWEIN]

can you share your wiring schematic ?
I have a spare motor that I want to test before doing a swap on my 94 se

[newday777]

can you share your wiring schematic ?
I have a spare motor that I want to test before doing a swap on my 94 se

The op hasn't been active since 2012 so try sending him a pm if he doesn't respond.