I Want to Build a Buggy and need help

andysleds

andysleds

New Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2005
Location
Home:Kernersville Work:Greensboro
Okay guys, I am thinking of starting a new project in the spring. The Jeep will be drivable by then, and I will be bored. I am thinking of a Buggy, but not too sure where to start. I know that there are a lot of different opinions out there so I figured I would let people tell me what they thought and go from there.

Only because I have to put a budget on it I will shoot for 15K

As far as the chassis is concerned, I am looking for the possibility of a 4 seater, or maybe a 2 seater with some type of rear storage to take gear with me on the trails(maybe under the seat compartments?). I have considered building this myself (I have built some roll cages for race cars but never an entire chassis.)

Who builds the best buggy’s for the most reasonable rate?

Thinking of Chevy Power because I am most familiar with it. I think I can produce the power that I want with a 400 smallblock. I am guessing I will have to run D60’s or Rockwells if I don’t want things to break. Hoping to run 42’s.

Final goal is to have a high horsepower rig that can climb as well as fling some mud, make it very reliable but yet keep it within a budget……is this possible?

Give me some ideas guys. This is all new to me (building a buggy) so I’d like to learn from others mistakes. My goal is to have a majority of the items purchased in the late spring and have it built by next winter. So let the Bull$hit begin !!
:popcorn: :popcorn:
 
Well, I already have a motor to drop in (another 350) if that will help the cost. I also know where i can get some D60 axles (they are in Michigan and I will have to go get, but only cost of fuel my buddy has them and wants them gone).
 
i have 80 bucks in my motor, and i am going to have more than that in my buggy if i have thought of everything. and i am trying to be a cheap bastard.
 
Buy a used buggy or chassis. Can be had for much cheaper than buying new or building your own. It's a pita no doubt and will take twice as long as you expect as well.
 
I think it's very doable, if you shop for parts. Unless the rear 60 is already 35 spline, I would go with a 70 or a 14 bolt. I know where you can her the 14 shaved big time and gain a lot of clearance. if you are thinking 4 seater or 2 seater with storage, maybe do like a friend of mine did. He has Subaru brat seats behind his cab facing backward. they are removable for more storage when the need is there. Building it all right the first time will save a bunch. I would(if it were me building it) go with a 350 for simple reasons of cooling issues.
As far as the chassis, look to wards the mud devils. Reasonable priced, and well built stuff. Sorry not to give credit where credit is due, but whoever was the one who built Gregs buggy is who I would want.
good luck
 
Jim is the man for chassis
I KNOW OF NO OTHER

but if he does it listen to him and don't argue
you'll piss him off
 
chromerunner said:
you can buy a nice buggy for way under 15k. building your own will take forever and will make your bank account disaper
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I agree, but no where near as much fun. plus you have the added benefit of knowing your rig inside and out. You know every weld, you know every everything! I have been on the trail too many times and the person has a problem and has no clue as to what to do to fix it, or even where to begin.
 
I will build things myself. For instance, the skids will be cut by me out of scrap plate from D,H, Griffin. The seats will be bought used off e-bay or opne of the boards. I planned on trying to get Rockwells from a junk yard and so on. I want it to be decent, but also will not be stupid with my money. I there are good deals out there, and I WILL find them.

Thanks fotr the input on the chassis and motor, does the 400 get that much hotter?
 
andysleds said:
Thanks fotr the input on the chassis and motor, does the 400 get that much hotter?
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Yes, and it is possible to cool, but it takes a real decent radiator. The low speeds, hard pulling and so forth is what will get ya. And it's all because of it's design. The 350 fro example, has coolant that circulates all the way around the cylinders. The 400, basically a big block bore inside a small block, does not have coolant that circulates all around the cylinder. It is just on the outside(spark plug side, and the intake side) of the cylinders. That's where the cooling issues evolve.
 
I had the axles, the Atlas, 39 krawlers, TR beadlocks. I did spring for a hi9 center section which was pricey. But even after already having all that I still had way over 15k in it. I know it could be done cheaper, but if I had to do mine from start to finish with nothing, 30k would have still been a few thousand light of finishing it.
 
pheery said:
i have 80 bucks in my motor, and i am going to have more than that in my buggy if i have thought of everything. and i am trying to be a cheap bastard.
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where is most of the cost? the big items like chassis, driveline, or the little things like brake line, wire, switches ect..
 
Well, you've had real builders respond with great advice. I'm out of my depth here but I did want to mention that if you buy the chassis I see them go at fire sale prices as other people start projects but decide that they can't finish them.
 
upnover said:
Yes, and it is possible to cool, but it takes a real decent radiator. The low speeds, hard pulling and so forth is what will get ya. And it's all because of it's design. The 350 fro example, has coolant that circulates all the way around the cylinders. The 400, basically a big block bore inside a small block, does not have coolant that circulates all around the cylinder. It is just on the outside(spark plug side, and the intake side) of the cylinders. That's where the cooling issues evolve.
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cough cough, hard as **** to keep cool
 
jph0913 said:
where is most of the cost? the big items like chassis, driveline, or the little things like brake line, wire, switches ect..
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the little things blow the big expenses away....it's that month or two of $100 days at the parts store that really start to hurt. And if you think it's going to take you 6 months to finish..better figure on a year.
 
BIGWOODY said:
the little things blow the big expenses away....it's that month or two of $100 days at the parts store that really start to hurt. And if you think it's going to take you 6 months to finish..better figure on a year.
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No doubt. The big thing is the fact that internet message boards make it seem far easier than it actually is. The little stuff takes for fawking ever. Anyway, if you've got all of the tools, the time and the skill then go for it...it can be done, but don't forget the "cheap, fast, quality--pick two"
 
BIGWOODY said:
the little things blow the big expenses away....it's that month or two of $100 days at the parts store that really start to hurt. And if you think it's going to take you 6 months to finish..better figure on a year.
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x2

I've noticed way too many times when i look at the account and think i didn't spend that much, but $75 here $50 there 4 or 5 days a week ads up real real real quick
 
BIGWOODY said:
the little things blow the big expenses away....it's that month or two of $100 days at the parts store that really start to hurt. And if you think it's going to take you 6 months to finish..better figure on a year.
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x2.. I had a BUNCH of those days, and I wasn't even starting from scratch.. Having a frame and suspension already done helped a bunch, and I STILL spent an assload.
Buy someone else's buggy. You just missed one a few weeks ago.
 
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