buggy

Tobers

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2008
Location
durham
ok, I'm pretty new to this so I hope this isn't to dumb of a question. How much does it normally cost people to build a buggy?
 
Thats like asking how much it costs to buy a car.

I have seen people build buggys from 10k-100k+
 
I've seen them from 1k-178k

Depends alot on wether you build it yourself, or have someone build it, and mostly by your parts budget.
 
ok maybe I should clarify, These buggies I see on the forum that guys build themselves out of tube and put quality but used parts in.... Then about how much. Or just to give me a reference does anyone have a pic of one and how much it costs. Just trying to get an idea
 
Again, not enough info. You say used parts, but what kind of used parts? A used LS1 doesnt sell for the same as a used 4.3. Are we talking Dana 60's, toyota, or rockwells? You building the chassis yourself or having someone else build it. My buggy took almost all the old parts from my rig and then added a few things to make it better. Still ended up spending quite a bit. Are you debating on building one or just wondering?
 
For $20-30k with some good deals here and there you could have a sweet, stout v8/ton buggy. If you're starting from scratch and are serious about the hobby I would heavily suggest a buggy. It sucks having that much money in a jeep or cab truck:shaking: I've learned that its cheaper to buy something already built, just make sure its as close to exactly what you want though;)
 
I will have about $6000-$7000 in mine, don't think it will be over $7000. I am building it as cheap as I can, but with GOOD parts. I am trying not to skimp and cheap out, completely rebuilding everything that needs it (axles/engine). With a Honda 1.5L (turbo'd), and Toyota axles I feel I've spent alot less on the engine/axle combo than you would on a V8/1-tons. I should have less than $1000 in the engine, including all gauges, fuel management, turbo, etc, and should make somewhere between 120-150HP.

I also have $1000 in (5) wheels and tires. Competition compound Krawlers, the spare is brand new.

If you take your time and wait for good deals, you can get out for a decent price, but for a V8 w/ 1-tons and decent parts, you would easily have $10K in it.

Here's a link to my build, pictures are a little old, I need to post some new ones up.
http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35756
 
I think he would be more happy with some thing like this
 

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Another important question is how much of it you plan to do yourself, vs paying a fabricator/shop to do. E.g., do you want to design it, and maybe find the big parts and provide them, and just pay somebody else to do most of the real fab work, or do most yourself, etc etc. All that labor is a big chunk, but if you don't know what you're doing (like I wouldn't) it'd take forever to learn properly.
 
Having a buggy also brings on more money to be spent.As in a towrig and trailer,unless you have one of coarse.Do a little research and see what parts the buggies you like are running and go from there.
 
Just cus you buy it used doesnt mean its gonna be cheap either.

You can get a 14b for 150 bucks like its cool, but then when you take in the price for disk brake conversion, new gears, locker, rebuilding all the bearings and seals, possible hub swaps...... that cheap axle gets expensive quick.
 
Feet of tubing in a buggy?

Since this thread is sorta wondering, I thought I would throw a question into the mix for those with chassis building experience. I hope that's alright...

I am seriously thinking about building a SBC front engine single seater chassis.
How many feet of tubing does it typically take to build a buggy chassis? I know this will vary depending upon many factors, but just curious about a ballpark estimate.
 
how much tube would you use it your just tubing the back of a jeep or samurai and making the roll cage beefier??
 
I wouldn't recommend making a stock "rollbar" beefier.... if you are going that route, you need a new cage
 
Tobers said:
how much tube would you use it your just tubing the back of a jeep or samurai and making the roll cage beefier??
Click to expand...

~4 sticks IIRC. If the factory bar is in good shape (in a Wrangler, the Sammi ones might not be strong enough), and does not have rust on it you would be fine using it. Just as long as everything is tied into the frame (or welded to the frame). You are not going to save but about 12-20 feet of tubing by keeping the factory rollbar though, that's only an extra ~$65 to replace the factory bar, it would look better because it would be the same size tube as the rest of the cage.

Here is a link to a friend's Jeep, we used his factory bar, with all the other tubes and bracing, I THINK we used 4 sticks for his cage, sliders, and front bumper, but may have used more...

http://www.rockdustfab.com/gallery/Seths-Jeep
 
Clifton Slay is a very good example of a 100k+ builder. I don't even know if those guys wheel that hard.
 
ok who is Jims Garage and how do I contact him. I want a buggy BAD. I have my motor,trans,transfer case,and a 9" ford rear put back for it. I just need the Buggy. lol:bounce2::driver:
 
Most of the time you can buy a used one cheaper than building one. I have $12500 in mine and it goes anywhere I want.

Post a wanted add with specs you are looking for. That's how I found mine.
 
BIGWOODY said:
30k........ LS1/Atlas/chromo axles ,a complete LP9" with housing and a complete HI9" with housing for the rear, hp 60 for the front./two sets of beadlocks, a set of 39kralwers comp compond and a set of 40" Maxxis creepy comp compound. and a fresh hood and body work.
http://s199.photobucket.com/albums/aa164/jimsgarage/?action=view&current=100_1625.jpg
Click to expand...
Does this come with a signature too? :D

You arent going to build a buggy for what you can buy a used one for. Period. Jim does build a sweet chassis. I guess i might be a little biased.
 
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