If you are running a dual-motor 4WD system like a Bad Boy Buggy (Recoil iS) or a Tracker EV, you know these machines are absolute amp-hogs. A Bad Boy Buggy battery upgrade to lithium isn’t just about losing weight; it’s about finding a battery that won’t “sag” or cut out when you’re hub-deep in a mud hole. We put the Eco Battery 70.4V 105Ah and the Bolt Energy 73.6V 105Ah through the ringer to see which one earns a spot in your buggy.
Traditional lead-acid setups in a Bad Boy Buggy consist of either eight heavy 6V batteries (48V XT systems) or up to six heavy 12V batteries (72V Recoil iS systems). This adds a staggering 400 to 500 lbs of payload before you even step inside or load your outdoor gear. A Bad Boy Buggy battery upgrade significantly reduces total weight.
When climbing a hill or navigating thick brush, the dual motors scream for amperage. Lead-acid batteries cannot deliver high current continuously without dropping their voltage heavily (voltage sag). This tricks the controller into cutting power, leaving you crawling at 2 mph. Premium lithium packs maintain a completely flat voltage curve under load, supplying raw, instantaneous torque until the battery is empty.
| Performance Metric | Factory Lead-Acid Setup | Premium Lithium (Eco Battery / Bolt) |
| Total Battery Weight | ~450+ lbs (Massive chassis strain) | ~130 to 150 lbs (Saves up to 350+ lbs) |
| Voltage Sag Under Load | Severe (Causes stalling or crawling in mud) | Zero (Sustained power for max torque) |
| Cold Weather Performance | Loses up to 50% capacity on cold mornings | Excellent (Advanced kits feature internal cell heaters) |
| Maintenance Required | Regular water top-offs, heavy terminal cleaning | Zero Maintenance |
| Expected Lifespan | 2 to 3 years under off-road conditions | 10+ Year Lifespan (Back-ended by top warranties) |
Before ordering a conversion kit for your Bad Boy Buggy battery upgrade, you must verify your buggy’s native voltage. Bad Boy Buggies changed configurations across various model years:
The 48V Lineup (Classic, Buggy, XTO, XD): These models typically utilize a single 48V controller setup or dual 48V controllers mapped to front and rear motors. A single 48V (51V nominal) 105Ah or 160Ah lithium pack drops perfectly into this footprint.
The 72V Lineup (Recoil, Recoil iS, Ambush, Tracker EV): Engineered for high-speed, high-torque trail riding, these machines run on a true 72V system. You will need a heavy-duty 72V (76V nominal) 105Ah or 170Ah Lithium Conversion Kit specifically rated to handle the intense amp draw of these dual-differential models.
When you’re dropping thousands on a battery, the “little things” in the box become very big things during the install. Both companies provide “Complete Kits,” for your Bad Boy Buggy battery upgrade, but they differ in how much of the heavy lifting they do for you.
Eco Battery 70.4V 105Ah Bundle
Bolt Energy 73.6V 105Ah “Professional” Kit
Pro Kit Add-Ons:
Choose Eco Battery if: You value a refined user experience, industry-leading technical support, and top-tier reliability from your Bad Boy Buggy battery upgrade. It fits without needing to grind tray feet, features a very nice tactile wake-up button that is far easier for customers to use, and is backed by a massive dealer network and continuous updates and optimization with the GEN3 models.
Choose Bolt Energy if: You want the biggest “fuel tank” possible from your Bad Boy buggy battery upgrade, then the Bolt makes the most sense. Its 23S architecture and 7.7kWh capacity give it a higher voltage floor on paper, which theoretically provides more stability during all-day, long-range 4WD excursions.
You also have the ability to add additional high-power accessories such as the heavy duty solenoid, 2AWG cables, and 72V voltage reducer. Bolt is a reliable powerhouse. We only wish the warranty coverage would increase or eliminate altogether the cycle count requirement.
Locate the main power disconnect or flip the Run-Tow switch to the TOW position under the seat. Disconnect the main negative cable followed by the main positive cable. Clean any spilled lead-acid residue using a water and baking soda mixture. This must be done before beginning your Bad Boy Buggy battery upgrade.
Carefully extract all the old lead-acid batteries. Because you are dealing with up to 500 lbs of lead, use a heavy-duty battery strap to lift them out safely without cracking the old plastic trays.
Locate your factory solenoid mounted near the motor controller controller assembly. Disconnect the layout wires and bolt the new 400A Heavy-Duty Solenoid directly in its place. Ensure all small-gauge activation wires are placed securely back on the matching small terminals.
Because a single lithium pack leaves an immense amount of open space in the wide Bad Boy battery bay, secure a model-specific metal bracket tray (included in your kit) or build a treated structural base. Drop the single-pack lithium battery directly onto the base and clamp it down using the heavy-duty tie-down brackets.
Bad Boy Buggies run powerful 12V accessory systems including winches, headlights, gun rack mounts, and camouflage hunting lights. Mount the included 48V/72V-to-12V Voltage Reducer inside the battery bay. Wire the input side directly to the main lithium terminals, and output the clean 12V power to your dedicated accessory fuse block.
Connect your main 2-gauge premium battery cables to the positive and negative terminals of the battery pack. Route the modern communication wire up to the dashboard and install the smart digital State of Charge (SOC) Meter so you can view your real-time exact battery percentage. Turn the key on, switch back to RUN, and test your new off-road setup.
Both companies offer 6-years of full warranty coverage, but there is plenty of corporate “prorated” nuance in both contracts. Eco Battery does offer a LIFETIME warranty beyond the 6-years. Bolt Energy ends at 12-years. Both of them prorate the latter years. Ongoing support and a robust warranty is something you will definitely want with your Bad Boy Buggy battery upgrade.
Your Bad Boy Buggy battery upgrade will shave off 300+ lbs out of the center of the chassis, the buggy will sit slightly higher on its suspension springs. While this improves ground clearance over logs and rocks, it does change the center of gravity. If you find the rear wheels spinning due to the sudden loss of ballast weight, we recommend adjusting your tire pressure down slightly or adding small, intentional weight distributions (such as tools or accessories) to maximize trail contact.
Yes, absolutely—provided you select a premium kit with integrated thermal management for your Bad Boy Buggy battery upgrade. Cheap lithium batteries cannot be safely charged in below-freezing environments without permanently damaging the internal chemistry.
However, our premium Eco Battery and Bolt Energy systems feature built-in smart internal heaters. When plugged into the charger on a freezing morning, the battery will automatically warm its internal cells to a safe temperature before taking a charge, keeping your hunting rig ready all winter long.
No. A 48V or 72V lithium pack operates perfectly within the maximum operating voltages that your factory controllers are rated to handle. You will not experiance any disruptions from your Bad Boy Buggy battery upgrade with high-quality lithium from Eco Battery or Bolt Energy USA. Because lithium maintains smooth, stable power delivery without severe voltage drops, it actually decreases heat build-up and electrical strain on your controllers, extending the operational life of your electrical drivetrain.
BEST Battery is your one-stop-shop for all things Golf Cart Battery and Lithium Battery applications.
From our shop in Wildwood, FL (just outside The Villages) we perform custom installations, can manage local pickups, and we ship battery kits across the country.
Looking to get your upgrade underway? We can help.
Swing on by and check out our booth (November 29th, 2025), we’ll be showing off the new Eco Batteries, LED lighting set-ups, Golf Cart accessories and more…
