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

Goat built will build them as well
 
I started a yj build 8 years ago. Ran out of skill and money quick. It still sits here at the house. I ended up buying a rig (Yellow Jeep) that was proven but needed TLC. It's not the prettiest or fanciest machines, but I almost bet it's been more places than most buggies on this board (while owned by Ol Jeeps).

I'll spend my time wheeling and upgrading as I can afford. I love showing up somewhere and people recognize the Jeep and tell me stories of where they saw it upside down! Kinda driving an icon.
 
I've figured out that I'm a wheeler not a builder. Spent about 3 years trying to build a Sami buggy and finally got fed up with not going wheeling. My biggest regret is trying to build it myself because I wasted several years of not wheeling, wish I would have had someone build me a buggy right after I sold the Honda transaxle buggy I had.

I wanted the buggy built for me, with the parts I wanted/had and to fit me comfortably. Not all buggies require a v8 and tons. I personally prefer small, lightweight 4-banger buggies with narrow(er) axles that are more of a "trail scalpel" but that's not everyone's style.

If you enjoy the build process and want to have the buggy exactly how you want it from the beginning, pick out your drivetrain first then pick a chassis that will work with those parts. Or pick out a chassis and alot of the chassis builders will have a list of exactly what engine, trans, t-case, radiator, seats, coolers, etc will bolt right into the chassis.
 
ghost said:
Yes I've actually discovered a couple like that out there. Been researching that a little lately. There are a few out there now.
Click to expand...
Who else sells a kit like that? I'm curious.
 
These are two I came across in just looking.

TMR:

www.tmrcustoms.com

TMR Customs DIY Tube Chassis Kit

CNC laser cut & notched from 2” x .120”W DOM tubingIncludes full set of blueprints and step by step assembly manualAll individual tubes are laser etched with part numbers for easy assembly Drivetrain designed around common GM LS Gen III/IV truck motors (4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L, 6.2L), GM Truck...
www.tmrcustoms.com www.tmrcustoms.com

Wide Open Design

www.wideopendesign.com

Evolution Rock Crawler Chassis

A smaller "Hill Killer" style rock crawler chassis built for strength and style Perfectly designed for trail riding and competing in various forms of Off Road Racing Rock Crawler Chassis is 50" at it widest point 110" to 122" wheel base Proper 4-link Geometry - accepts most popular axle...
www.wideopendesign.com www.wideopendesign.com
 
bomberfab.com

Bomber Trail Chassis

Decades of Trail riding development and refinement have led up to these CNC Bent and Laser Notched Chassis Kits. Each kit is laser etched and comes flat packed. Made from varying thickness DOM or Chromoly Tubing. Trail chassis are 7" shorter than the race chassis, as well as 4" narrower. We have...
bomberfab.com bomberfab.com
 
drkelly said:
@ghost have you seen the Goat Built chassis? It comes as a kit and you just weld it together.

goatbuilt.com

ALPINE 2 SEAT CHASSIS KIT

Chassis kits are in pre-production and will ship begining of 2024. Pre-order will hold your spot in line for quickest delivery Important Note Shipping the JHF Chassis **
goatbuilt.com goatbuilt.com
Click to expand...

I fell in love with this chassis but by the time you get the chassis, jig, and link mounts I believe you could have someone build you a roller for the same money....
 
NCJeeplover said:
I fell in love with this chassis but by the time you get the chassis, jig, and link mounts I believe you could have someone build you a roller for the same money....
Click to expand...

And make sure your engine/trans/t-case will fit in the chassis. My 4-banger automatic and dual cases is too long to fit in the JHF/Goatbuilt without some serious rework to the chassis.
 
StretchASU said:
If this was my main hobby, I’d put my CYJ driveline in a Partially Committed Racing or JHF chassis with some bling Ton axles and 43sx stickies.
Click to expand...

PCR builds some nice chassis. Very similar to M&M or Jim's ,style wise. I believe they currently have one for sell, or a kit for one.
 
StretchASU said:
If this was my main hobby, I’d put my CYJ driveline in a Partially Committed Racing or JHF chassis with some bling Ton axles and 43sx stickies.
Click to expand...
Wait, you have other hobbies?
 
Matt Cutler is suposed to be making chassis. He is currently building a unit for himself and has mentioned it being cut and prebent by others to his spec.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
Matt Cutler is suposed to be making chassis. He is currently building a unit for himself and has mentioned it being cut and prebent by others to his spec.
Click to expand...
Yep been following him as much as I can. I've been trying for a while now to learn as much as I can from you guys that are much more experienced than I am at building stuff and fixing stuff. I also asked if he thought a 7.3 would fit in his chassis. I think I have a plan in my head now. Or a dream. Will take years but I'm ok with that. I've always just rushed to get it done. I'm trying to do it right and take my time these days. I also learned the buggy a friend is building is a jhf Goat Built chassis. He was telling me they can check fitment of just about any drive train in CAD. Saved him from buying a transmission that would not fit in it.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
Matt Cutler is suposed to be making chassis. He is currently building a unit for himself and has mentioned it being cut and prebent by others to his spec.
Click to expand...
@mcutler and I discussed this exact topic last night as he was standing in my shop paying me too much money for a Ford DPF/Cat, and it was pretty clear to me that he wanted to maintain ownership of the finished product. I welcome him to clarify, but it was my understanding that he has a reputation to maintain that he doesn't want tarnished by people rigging stuff together in a non-professional manner then rolling around with his name on it.
 
jeepinmatt said:
@mcutler and I discussed this exact topic last night as he was standing in my shop paying me too much money for a Ford DPF/Cat, and it was pretty clear to me that he wanted to maintain ownership of the finished product. I welcome him to clarify, but it was my understanding that he has a reputation to maintain that he doesn't want tarnished by people rigging stuff together in a non-professional manner then rolling around with his name on it.
Click to expand...
DING DING DING.

Custom Boutique Buggy shop.

At this time I won't be selling any buggies in a box. At the least I will do is a heavy roller, but I will scrutinize the finisher of plumbing and wiring before I will submit a contract. I prefer full turnkey builds to leave here. I suppose I'm 'NEW' in the buggy business, so until my brand is established , nothing will leave here to be finished elsewhere, without consideration of the finishing parties; to maintain my build quality and reputation.

No intention of insulting anyone, just trying to preserve what hasn't really even got going yet, lol.
 
Back
Top