Let's talk v8 buggies and dreams....

ghost

ghost

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 25, 2006
Location
Hartsville/Camden,SC
Ok so thanks to @Curtis_H and @77GreenMachine and the other misfits I got to drive @Curtis_H around Daniel in his CJ buggy. It got me to thinking and dreaming... I dream a lot. So I have a 5.9 Magum truck and a set of FOA coilovers. These parts were originally traded for and purchased to put in my XJ when I start the redo of it. I know a lot of work. By then I will have the race jeep to play with. If you were to build centered around those parts where would you start? A failed buggy build? Continue with my plan? Get a frame and tube and start welding? Buy a buggy kit? I'm probably a year or two from being able to start building but thought I'd see what others who have done it suggested. I mean we have a cad dream build on here so why can't I have the in my head dream build on here.... :laughing:
 
I've always liked the styling of the M&M buggies. I'm just too cheap to buy a turn key one, and too slow at building to do it myself.


I think the best way to get into a buggy is to buy someone else's buggy. Being VERY patient waiting for the right one to pop up for sale and willing to drive to get one is the key I think.

If you really want a buggy, and want to build it, I would seriously consider starting with a pre-built chassis or even a roller if you want to get on the trail faster.

Do you own a bender?
 
drkelly said:
I've always liked the styling of the M&M buggies. I'm just too cheap to buy a turn key one, and too slow at building to do it myself.


I think the best way to get into a buggy is to buy someone else's buggy. Being VERY patient waiting for the right one to pop up for sale and willing to drive to get one is the key I think.

If you really want a buggy, and want to build it, I would seriously consider starting with a pre-built chassis or even a roller if you want to get on the trail faster.

Do you own a bender?
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I had a bender. I'm sure I can get another one fairly easily. I'm not good with them though. I agree on the buy someone else. I was eyeing the LJ on here a while back. IDK I just want to research it especially after that whole KOH run through Daniel. As for patient that is not a problem one thing I have learned over the years is if you look hard enough you can find what you want for what you want to spend on it....
 
To me, it really depends on how much you want to spend, or mind being down.

You mentioned being able to wheel the other jeep, so maybe down time doesnt matter as much? But also think about how long it takes you to get that Jeep complete, and will a full buggy build go any faster?

Typically buying a complete rig is cheaper than building, but for many, it is easier to spread the money out building a rig vs buying one. Building also gets you exactly what you want (at that moment in time).

There are many more chassis kits out now, then a few years ago, but the prices of chassis in general seem to be constantly going up, like everything else.

To me, swapping those parts onto your ZJ will be the quickest, but will that really net you what you want? If so, then that is the route I would go. If not, I would start from scratch and buy/build.
 
If you have the cash up front, buy an already built/wheeling rig from someone that is getting out of wheeling or changing up what they want.

If you need to spread the money out over time, buy an LS, th350/th400, Atlas, a set of Super Duty axles and pick from any of the dozens of available chassis that are designed to fit the aforementioned drivetrain.

If you're like me and want an "oddball" aka non-LS drivetrain, contact Chris @MarsFab and he can build you anything you want. Or even if you want an LS drivetrain but want a chassis built exactly how you want it, Chris is the guy to call.

Just a heads-up, my Suzuki/Toyota drivetrain cost more than an LS drivetrain by the time it was all said and done (custom doubler, built Yota t-case, etc). And Super Duty axles are cheaper than Toyotas when you're done too, my Trail Gear front housing cost more than a complete junkyard Super Duty front.
 
braxton357 said:
Your cheapest and best route is to buy someones already built and sorted buggy, sadly they aren't worth what they used to be. As a big mopar fan i can say if you end up building your own go ahead and scrap that 5.9.
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Why? I'm looking at what I have verses buying and figuring it out.

paradisePWoffrd said:
To me, it really depends on how much you want to spend, or mind being down.

You mentioned being able to wheel the other jeep, so maybe down time doesnt matter as much? But also think about how long it takes you to get that Jeep complete, and will a full buggy build go any faster?

Typically buying a complete rig is cheaper than building, but for many, it is easier to spread the money out building a rig vs buying one. Building also gets you exactly what you want (at that moment in time).

There are many more chassis kits out now, then a few years ago, but the prices of chassis in general seem to be constantly going up, like everything else.

To me, swapping those parts onto your ZJ will be the quickest, but will that really net you what you want? If so, then that is the route I would go. If not, I would start from scratch and buy/build.
Click to expand...

XJ but yea I agree.

untchabl said:
If you have the cash up front, buy an already built/wheeling rig from someone that is getting out of wheeling or changing up what they want.

If you need to spread the money out over time, buy an LS, th350/th400, Atlas, a set of Super Duty axles and pick from any of the dozens of available chassis that are designed to fit the aforementioned drivetrain.

If you're like me and want an "oddball" aka non-LS drivetrain, contact Chris @MarsFab and he can build you anything you want. Or even if you want an LS drivetrain but want a chassis built exactly how you want it, Chris is the guy to call.

Just a heads-up, my Suzuki/Toyota drivetrain cost more than an LS drivetrain by the time it was all said and done (custom doubler, built Yota t-case, etc). And Super Duty axles are cheaper than Toyotas when you're done too, my Trail Gear front housing cost more than a complete junkyard Super Duty front.
Click to expand...

Long term goal/dream is to build a buggy with the new Godzilla motor.
 
ghost said:
Long term goal/dream is to build a buggy with the new Godzilla motor.
Click to expand...

If you goal is to have a Godzilla buggy. I would start with that plan. Likely means you will need to build. I would start collecting drivetrain parts. Heck might be best to try and just buy a totaled Godzilla truck, since it will likely have the axles you want also.
 
Lots of sound advice above.

There's always this option:

rock viper.jpg
 
Troy got me convinced I need to buy something in line with what you’re talking. So far what I’ve noticed is it’s waaaaaay cheaper to buy someone else’s and have fun and/or tweak it than to spend 3x as much and build your own. I’m eyeballing this one really hard at the moment, just didn’t plan on spending the money for something I’m not even sure how often I’ll use.

63D7C561-54D4-45DA-8305-48564418DB9B.jpeg
 
Let me be a dissenting view.
Ask yourself honestly how many long distance trips you will get to go on a year.
It creates an interesting problem when URE is a waste of time and to even enjoy it you have to go 6+ hours away. How often will you do that, etc.
 
UTfball68 said:
Troy got me convinced I need to buy something in line with what you’re talking. So far what I’ve noticed is it’s waaaaaay cheaper to buy someone else’s and have fun and/or tweak it than to spend 3x as much and build your own. I’m eyeballing this one really hard at the moment, just didn’t plan on spending the money for something I’m not even sure how often I’ll use.

View attachment 357885
Click to expand...

That looks cool. The bucket list 7.3 build I’m thinking something like that or like Will has.

Ron said:
Let me be a dissenting view.
Ask yourself honestly how many long distance trips you will get to go on a year.
It creates an interesting problem when URE is a waste of time and to even enjoy it you have to go 6+ hours away. How often will you do that, etc.
Click to expand...
So the whole reason for the race Jeep on 35’s and my stock TJ is that it will be fun at URE. Gulches is close too. As for the 6 hour trips yea I get that.
 
ghost said:
I don’t know what that is.
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Dodge Ram truck 2500 or 3500 (can't remember) turned into a 'firewall buggy'. Fred Williams built it on Dirt Every Day.
 
Ron said:
Let me be a dissenting view.
Ask yourself honestly how many long distance trips you will get to go on a year.
It creates an interesting problem when URE is a waste of time and to even enjoy it you have to go 6+ hours away. How often will you do that, etc.
Click to expand...

Exactly my issue. Sold my tj since I wanted to do harder stuff. Then realized how little time I actually had for my truggy and it just sat. I’d buy a sxs at this point jf I was going to get back into it.
 
After this past weekend, I've been debating buying a 4 door JK so the family fits better, completely redoing the suspension on the jeep, or getting a SXS. I pretty much decided that the only logical thing is to (abandon the hobby altogether, but the next is to) redo the TJ. I am dead set on something I can drive around, and at the end of the day, I dont want to spend any more than I have to. A lot of the reason for these thoughts echos what Ron said.
 
drkelly said:
Dodge Ram truck 2500 or 3500 (can't remember) turned into a 'firewall buggy'. Fred Williams built it on Dirt Every Day.
Click to expand...

After seeing @NCJeeplover in his short cab short bed ram on tons this weekend...a dovetailed version of that is now in my head as the ultimate. If you could find a 2500 shorty like that, its easy street.
 
jeepinmatt said:
After this past weekend, I've been debating buying a 4 door JK so the family fits better, completely redoing the suspension on the jeep, or getting a SXS. I pretty much decided that the only logical thing is to (abandon the hobby altogether, but the next is to) redo the TJ. I am dead set on something I can drive around, and at the end of the day, I dont want to spend any more than I have to. A lot of the reason for these thoughts echos what Ron said.
Click to expand...


... you can drive a sxs around on the street now too, and take it on 5x as many trails in a 3 hr radius as you can a jeep...
 
braxton357 said:
... you can drive a sxs around on the street now too, and take it on 5x as many trails in a 3 hr radius as you can a jeep...
Click to expand...
True, but if I actually wanted to drive it somewhere like Uwharrie or drive it to work, its not a viable option. I used to drive my jeep all over the place and I miss that.
 
Me. Side by side and done. At the size and ability they are being built its seems an easy choice. My cavit however is the cost. Only the cost since they are 99 percent engineered to do the very purpose you buy one for as opposed to an extremely well sorted rig costing easily 15k to 20k more. The side by side still wins, but I don't see spending out for one. This is strictly from a use and hard cash perspective of the extreme ends.

Second line of thought for purchase built senerio. It beats the cost perspective hands down. The drawback is its still a full size toy and more limited on trail access and most likely more expensive all around to maintain and tow. Not saying side by sides are bullet proof but someone else's engineering is always a question mark unless you spend decently. The side by side then wins again because of cost.

But all that aside. Are you feeding another itch? Do you really enjoy the build process? Is creative freedom and the product a source of relaxation and gratification? Those things have no price tag.

I'm leaving the well built daily, or semi useful road tripper out of my response. You said buggy. In my eyes SxS equals buggy.

Now for my dream. Smaller size buggy. Not Toyota or Sami small but not 42's and 800hp. Many builds faulter in my opinion due to the glass ceiling of Insta/Hardline Jones. Being more realistic in my goals and good bit of creative freedom I'd prefer a Small block Ford, C4, Atlas, 37 stickies, ORIs, 2 seat, with a small SxS style bed. All framed into a 100 inch wheel base. 4 linked with a balanced suspension not hung up on huge travel, acompanied by basic Tons. The most enjoyment would be the actual build. With the size limitations may arise but I've never been disappointed in the woods over a day at work.
 
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