Hey Everyone. I'm Building a Buggy

Posts: 21 · *Last edited by TutTech on Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:46 pm; edited 1 time in total*

Well I have been into buggies for a long time.
I have worked for buggy companies that build
Big V-8 monster 19 foot long Sand Rail and Race
Cars.

But when I decided to build my own personal car
I wanted something smaller.
So I built my first Race Car with a 92 inch wheel base
and VW parts to keep things simple and not need
fixtures for A-arms etc. out of my garage.

I have been racing my car for over a year and finished
2nd in Class for the over all year.
So the car is working perfectly as I designed it taking
what I learned from bigger cars and using what I could
in my smaller car.

Anyways I will post about the race car later in another topic.

But right now I am working on a even smaller project.
That I thought fits more into this site with more like an
80 inch wheel base.

It will still be based off of VW design but may not run
a VW motor.
My motor and tranny will be left open for now but
the frame is based off my race car just smaller yet again.

I can go on but let me show you my work here.

Ok aI have built about 5 of my frames now so I have
a pretty good note book for making my cars frames
but with this one being smaller I took about 2 foot off
of this buggy.
My race car is just under 12 feet long and this car will
be just at 10 feet long.
2 seater and like I said open on motor and tranny.
FNR with Motorcycle or even something else more rare?

Here is my pan I build them all like this except this one
is a foot smaller.

And then was able to get the roof on.

side shot showing seat and pedals for scale

and here is a shot next to my Dual Sport Car
(a cross between my Race Car and my Sand Car.)

Posts: 21

Ok after cleaning the garage I was able to get back to work on the little buggy and I was able to get even more done.

Ok heres some more pics.

Alright, almost done with the main design.
Just needs all the one inch webbing installed and a front
and back bumper of the new owners design.

Thats almost it.

Very cool little buggy and I like it a lot.

Thanks for looking
Very Happy

Posts: 6278

Welcome to Buggynews TutTech. Your project is moving fast. If I remember correctly, your last car went super fast as well. Welcome again.

-Jamie

Posts: 4208

very nice. maybe a gear box from an atv that has l,n,h,r,
then add a bike engine and a comet belt drive

Posts: 3560

Welcome to BN, TutTech! You're off to great start on your build. I think you'd be perfect to be our first member with a Weber 750 in his buggy Very Happy

Posts: 939

I think a motor from an atv, mabe a 660 grizzley, since there is so much aftermarket would be perfect for the little buggy, let us know what you choose.

Posts: 21

Wow thanks for all the replies already.
I do like to keep moving as once I start a project
I am excited to see them through.

Plus I am the type of person that needs something to do with my free time.

I am working on a smaller vw race car for the lowest and smallest size desert racing you can build with my brother
but his car is at the aluminum body guy so why I was
waiting on it I could not sit around and so started this project.

Being nearly 2 feet smaller than my current cars and so far a lot lighter not using heavy 120 wall everywhere this car
I think will be able to be pushed around a lot easier by
a Motorcycle motor.

I have never used a Motorcycle motor ever so no nothing
about it.
Now I don't want that to stop me from doing it so I belong to a couple sites counting your site here now to gather as much info as I can so I will not be so worried about one day doing the Motorcycle rail.

You all said something close but different.
Do you mind giving me some links and pointing me into the direction each of you have refered to?

Bige,
can you tell me more or link me to a topic about the atv lnhr?
And what size motor will it take? Any info will be great.
Very Happy

Vanet and Guy,
Thank you I will look into both of those.
I guess I just need to find whats out there in CA.
Maybe start new and see what stuff is selling for and
then see what I can find used maybe?
Very Happy

Jabo,
Thanks for the welcomes I have seen this site
a couple times and I don't know why I haven't joined
up so I finally did.
I think mostly so I have a couple sources of info because
on some sites people all just sometimes lean towards a certain motor etc and you can't get any neutral or other info.
Like everyones first words on other sites would have already
been "put a Hyabusa in it".

And not one of you mentioned that yet.
Nice. Thats a good thing I am looking for other input and deas.

Since I have started this frame I have had someone contact
me about doing a new never before seen by me anyways project, experimental, can't post about it on the web etc.
To do a certain motor etc.
If we work out a deal I woun't be able to post the finished vehicle for awhile but I will post up when its all done.

For now I will keep everyone posted on its progress through the frame stage.

Motor tranny not sure?
Confused

But If I use this frame for the project no worries I will start
another one thats for sure.

Thanks again for the kind words and feedback already super nice of everyone.

Wink

Posts: 3560

Posts: 21

Thats funny.
I have actually found the "Middle Man"
He wants to get more sponsors has one willing to give
the engine but still need so much more for his ...
Uhm lets go with alternative fuel buggy.
I think that would be safe to say.

So I have a half way point.
If I do this I might be "Famous"... so he says.
Don't care about fame.
I care about what it will cost me more than anything.
That's as honest as I can be.

But If I only have to put up my frame and time
well maybe.
I haven't said no yet lets put it that way.

And so far the idea from the research I have dont sucks.
So ya we will more than likely be imbarrased for awhile
until we work out all the bugs etc.
But I see something cool in the end.. it just might take
a while to get to the end.
A lot of hard work, I don't mind and cool out come in the end.
So ya interesting idea and might very well be worth my time.

I need to put in all the webbing might actually get time
to do some of that today.
But wife needs some painting, etc. down around her shop
so maybe not.

Also not sure on the front and back bumper.
Going short? or round and curvey?

Not sure. Also the back will stay open until motor &
tranny is in thats for sure.
Especially not knowing anything about the size of any of said motor choice's I am even thinking of at this time.

Confused

Posts: 4208

Baja motorsports made a 300cc atv with a f/r gear box that was seperate from the engine,. I have one in my shop awaiting a decision if they want to fix it.

it would be a good set up for a buggy. there is another thread by the 9 fan, he used a polaris gear box and a comet converter system