Top It Off: The Ultimate Guide to Color Matched Roofs for Your DS

Why a Color Matched Roof DS Transforms Your Golf Cart's Look

Color matched roof DS options allow you to coordinate your extended golf cart roof with your body kit, seat color, or custom graphics for a professional, factory-finished appearance.

• What it is: An 80-inch extended roof available in colors matching DS body kits.
• Top brand: DoubleTake provides the most extensive color selection for Club Car DS models.
• Compatibility: Fits Club Car DS models (1984+), with specific hardware for pre-2000 and 2000+ versions.
• Shipping: Kits ship in 1-2 business days via LTL freight.
• Installation: Mounting kits are required and sold separately based on your model year.

Choosing a color-matched roof creates a cohesive design, ensuring the roof, body panels, and seats complement each other perfectly. For more information on coordinating components, explore our guides on Double Take fender flares, the Double Take golf cart, and Double Take golf car accessories.

I’m Martin Davis, owner of Extreme Kartz, and I spend a lot of time helping golf cart owners put together custom builds that actually fit and look right. In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about choosing a color matched roof DS, from model-year compatibility and mounting hardware to color coordination and the best accessories to pair with it.

The Appeal of a Color Matched Roof DS for Custom Builds

When we talk about high-end golf cart customization, visual cohesion is the name of the game. A standard OEM roof is functional, but it often breaks the "flow" of a custom build. Installing a color matched roof DS is the single most effective way to tie a project together. By aligning the roof color with the body panels, you eliminate the visual "sandwich" effect where a bright body is squeezed between a black frame and a black top.

This trend toward color coordination has exploded alongside the popularity of aftermarket body kits. For instance, the Club Car Golf Cart Body Kits Guide highlights how a total transformation involves more than just a new shell. Modern kits, like the DoubleTake Spartan, are made from strong molded acrylic. This material is superior to painted plastic because the color is molded directly into the material. When you pair this with a matching 80-inch extended roof, the UV resistance and color depth remain consistent across the entire vehicle for years.

Beyond aesthetics, there is a practical side to this upgrade. A color-matched extended roof significantly boosts the resale value of a Club Car DS. Potential buyers recognize a "finished" look, and the 80-inch length provides essential coverage for rear-seat passengers who would otherwise be exposed to sun and rain. As noted in our Best Golf Cart Body Kits Guide, the goal is to move from a utility vehicle to a personal transportation vehicle that reflects your style.

Top Brands and Color Options for Extended Roofs

In color matched roof DS solutions, DoubleTake is the undisputed leader. Their 80-inch extended tops are designed to provide full coverage for 4-passenger carts while offering a palette that matches their body kits exactly.

DoubleTake 80-Inch Extended Tops

These roofs are regularly priced around $669.95 but can often be found on sale for closer to $549.95. They are engineered with a thermoformed plastic that includes UV inhibitors. The color options are extensive, including:

• Classic Tones: Black, Beige, White, and Silver.
• Vibrant Hues: Ruby, Navy, Sky Blue, and Lime.
• Modern Metallics: Graphite (Charcoal), Pearl, and Teal.

One of the biggest advantages of staying within the DoubleTake ecosystem is consistency. If your DS already has a DoubleTake body kit, selecting a matching extended top helps maintain uniform color, finish, and overall presentation. That matters on custom carts where the roof, cowl, rear body, and seat upholstery all contribute to the final look. Instead of treating the roof as a basic utility part, many builders now use it as a core styling component that completes the build.

From a practical standpoint, an 80-inch roof also improves daily usability. Rear passengers gain better coverage from sun exposure and light rain, making the cart more comfortable for neighborhood driving, campground use, events, and private property transportation. For owners upgrading from a standard 54-inch top, the longer canopy often becomes one of the most noticeable improvements in both appearance and comfort.

RHOX and Red Dot Alternatives

While DoubleTake focuses on color-matching their proprietary body kits, brands like RHOX offer 88-inch universal roofs, and Red Dot provides massive 120-inch options for 6-passenger configurations. These are typically available in standard colors like Black, White, and Beige. If you are looking for a specific industrial finish, some premium metal roof systems utilize Kynar 500 or PVDF resin-based finishes, which provide superior UV resistance and weatherproofing, though these are more common in specialized or commercial applications.

For most Club Car DS owners, the key decision is not simply roof length, but whether the top is intended to visually integrate with the rest of the cart. Universal roofs can work well when coverage is the main priority, but a purpose-coordinated roof is usually the better choice when the goal is a polished custom build. That is especially true for owners pairing body kits, fender flares, upgraded seating, and light kits into one system rather than adding parts one at a time.

Compatibility and Installation Requirements

To ensure a seamless installation, it is important to select the correct mounting hardware. A color matched roof DS is typically sold as a standalone component. Because these extended roofs (80 inches or more) provide greater coverage, they require specific support structures beyond the factory 54-inch top.

Necessary Hardware Components:

1. Front Mounting Kits: These are model-specific. Kits for 1995 models differ from 2005 models due to variations in cowl and strut mounting points.
2. Rear Struts: Extended roofs require universal rear struts (often referred to as "candy canes") to support the full length of the 80-inch canopy.
3. Support Brackets: Depending on your rear seat kit, specific brackets may be needed to connect the seat frame to the roof struts.

A careful fitment check before ordering is the best way to avoid installation delays. Many carts have already been modified with rear seat kits, replacement dashes, enclosure tracks, or aftermarket body components, and those changes can affect how the roof hardware mounts. At Extreme Kartz, the goal is to match the roof system to the exact cart configuration so the finished installation is secure, aligned, and ready for real-world use.

Shipping and Handling: These kits ship in 1-2 business days via LTL (Less Than Truckload) freight. Due to their size, this method ensures the roof is secured to a pallet for safe transit. We recommend verifying your cart's specifications before ordering to ensure the correct fitment.

Because of freight handling and the large dimensions of these tops, it is also smart to inspect the roof and hardware as soon as delivery is completed. Confirming condition on arrival helps keep the installation process moving and ensures you have the correct components for your DS model year and seat setup.

Selecting the Right Color matched roof DS for Your Model Year

Compatibility is essential for a proper fit. While the Club Car DS maintained a consistent aesthetic, the frame and mounting points evolved over time.

• Club Car DS 1984-1999 (Old Style): These models typically use a rectangular silver aluminum front strut.
• Club Car DS 2000+ (New Style): These models utilize a different strut configuration. Most aftermarket 54-inch molded roofs are designed for these later years.
• Gas vs. Electric: Mounting points are generally identical across powertrains, though custom dashes may affect front strut placement.

Another point to consider is how the roof will interact with the rest of the build. If your cart includes a rear seat, safety grab bar, enclosure, or body kit conversion, the proper hardware combination becomes even more important. A roof that technically fits the cart may still require different brackets or support geometry depending on the accessories installed. Taking a system-based approach helps ensure every component works together as intended.

For those considering different chassis options, our Club Car Precedent Phantom Complete Guide details the evolution of roof systems for the Precedent line.

Essential Accessories to Pair with Your New Roof

Once you’ve selected your color matched roof DS, you shouldn't stop there. To achieve that "extraordinary" look mentioned in our Club Car Golf Cart Body Kits overview, consider these pairings:

• Fender Flares: If you have a Spartan body kit, the DoubleTake Fender Flare Set for Spartan Body is a must. They protect the cart (and the passengers under that new roof) from mud and debris kicked up by wider tires.
• LED Light Kits: Most modern body kits come with LED "street legal" or basic light packages. A color-matched roof looks even better when the cart is illuminated with high-quality LEDs.
• Brush Guards: To protect the front of your investment, Club Car DS Brush Guards add a rugged, finished look to the front end.
• Marine-Grade Seating: Don't put old, cracked beige seats under a brand-new Graphite roof. Upgrading to color-matched seat cushions with marine-grade vinyl ensures the interior is as durable and stylish as the exterior.

Frequently Asked Questions about Color Matched Roof DS

How is a color matched roof DS shipped?

These kits ship in 1-2 business days via LTL freight. To ensure these 80-inch roofs arrive in perfect condition, the roof is secured to a large wooden pallet and transported via semi-truck. Upon delivery, please inspect the item before signing the receipt to confirm it arrived as expected.

Does the 80-inch extended roof include mounting hardware?

No, the roof is sold as a standalone component. You will need a front mounting kit specific to your cart (e.g., Club Car DS 2000+) and a set of rear struts. Standard 54-inch roof struts are typically not compatible with the extended top.

Can I install a color matched roof DS on a cart with a rear seat kit?

Yes. The 80-inch length is specifically designed to provide coverage for rear-facing passengers. Universal rear struts are used to mount the roof to the rear seat's footboard or armrests, providing stable support.

Conclusion

At Extreme Kartz, we focus on providing performance-oriented solutions for your golf cart. Selecting a color matched roof DS is about more than aesthetics; it is about ensuring fitment accuracy and long-term durability for your specific model.

Whether you are completing a Spartan body conversion or upgrading for passenger comfort, we are here to assist with fitment recommendations. For a detailed look at available components, see our Double Take Golf Cart Parts Ultimate Guide.

If you have questions about which mounting kit is right for your build, contact us today for expert guidance on transforming your Club Car DS.