Mini-Baja type buggys, but 4x4?

website says they start at $3995
don't know how much this one is, but looks like it has some muds on it:
adrillingequip.com_mini4x4s_Images_camo_truck_new.jpg


they even have a 550cc to 650cc engine, are lightweight, 4 wheel drive, etc. etc. 40mpg
 
The mini 4x4 doesn't look like I could fit in it. Plus, it doesn't look near capable enough for what I want to do with it.

I have seen Polaris Rangers go up Schoolbus, so I see no reason a small Sami based rig couldn't go up it with ease.

I've seen Sami's do some incredible things, so I see no reason why something with Sami axles and a 1.6L honda engine wouldn't go anywhere I'd want to. I don't necessarily care if it will climb Kodak rock, or some of the other extremely hard lines. I just want to be able to go on every trail there is (pretty much) at a fast pace, and be able to go over pretty hard stuff, minus what it takes 47's just go clear or stuff like that.

I thought about a Honda H22A, since they have ~200HP, but I think the 1.6 would be more than enough and alot cheaper/lighter.
 
I've never seen a full-width buggy that can get down trails anywhere near as fast as a ATV or sideXside (unless it is WIDE trails like Uwharrie, but even then it would be tough).

Plus for me to build a "buggy" with the stuff off my truck, that is going to cost $$$. Because there is no way I will be able to sell what is left of my truck and make any money off it.

For a mini Sami based buggy I'll break the prices down for ya:

engine/tranny/accessories/shafts/wiring/ecu, we'll say $300 but I doubt I'll have any money in it, just trading for some labor on a cage

Axles: $1000 tops built to the gills (doubt that will be the case though)
tires/wheels (33's) ~$500-$1000 depending what they are
fuel cell $150 tops
seats/belts $500 tops
tubing: $300-$400 tops

That's $3,350
We'll add another $3000 for other things, and I'm still under $7,000.

If I build my truck into a buggy, it will COST me money, I won't come out putting money in the bank which is the plan, and it will still be underpowered, really wide (which is fine for it's size), and I'll have tons of stuff leftover I will have to take to the scrapyard for next to nothing.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love a fullwidth buggy, but unless it has a V8 (or at least a V6) the power-to-weight ratio just isn't there with my 4cyl and 1-tons. And like I said, I don't care much if I can't climb the BIGGEST stuff out there. I still feel it would be more than capable to do any trail at Callalantee, Tellico, or wherever.

We can race when I get it done :)
 
It sounds liek what you want is the bastard child from crossing a RZR and a go-cart, is that right?
 
Ive seen the one at gander mtn in greensboro too. It looks like alot of fun, but the price tag is $11,000. I would reccomend the Polaris RZR side by side. Its in a class by itself, different than other side by sides. Do some research on them and you will see.
 
What tranny and TC would you use with the Honda motor? I think you would be miles ahead starting with a Tracker/Sidekick 1.6 8v or 16v EFI engine, then any combination of Track/kick tranny/TC or Sami tranny/TC. I like where you are headed with this. Would you build it to be street legal?

I've never seen one in person, but those Polaris RZR's look like a lot of fun.
 
Don't really care about street legal. As for the Honda motor, it would be the transaxle, which basically acts as the tranny AND T-case.

I asked the guy on pirate what his buggy's top speed was, which was kind of depressing... He said 35 MPH was about all it would do. Makes sense though, all the gear reduction through the axles kills top-end. I like the rear engine/transaxle design, but don't like the low top speed. Most trails 35 would probably be plenty, but I would like it to be able to run ~50 without taching out.

We will see how it goes. I think the Sami axles might be too narrow, but the problem with Toy's is the rear is not offset like the Sami axle... His is 64" wide to outside of tires. If I can stay a 70" or a hair over I'd be happy, and Toy minitruck axles that should be doable, they would handle 33's easily, but 35's might be a better choice to gain a little more top-end with 4.10 gears.
 
I was thinking the same thing. I thought they were geared pretty high, remembered back when I bought my D44 that it had 2.xx gears in it.

This buggy may end up bigger than I planned. Not a big deal I don't guess, I like the Polaris RZR and Rhino's but I want something more capable than those, and I also don't want to spend $10K to buy one...
 
Tacoma747 said:
I was thinking the same thing. I thought they were geared pretty high, remembered back when I bought my D44 that it had 2.xx gears in it.
This buggy may end up bigger than I planned. Not a big deal I don't guess, I like the Polaris RZR and Rhino's but I want something more capable than those, and I also don't want to spend $10K to buy one...
Click to expand...

You would be hard pressed to find something more capable than a RZR, with 3 pt safety harnesses, sliders, locking front and rear diffs, the only thing is you are sacraficing flex.
 
Tacoma747 said:
We can race when I get it done :)
Click to expand...
I'll take you up on that. I've been doing a bunch of suspension work on my rig to help me go fast and to get a little lower. I'm hoping to be finished this weekend and doing a shakedown run at crozet the next weekend.

I'm not saying I'll beat a buggy dedicated to speed runs but I'd have a good time trying to keep up. Most of the things that used to keep me under 20 mph on the trails (steering, limited uptravel) are resolved.

Anyway, I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
 
Exploderpilot said:
ever thought about an old Audi 5000?
You get a 5cyl engine with a AWD transmission that you could lock to make it permanent 4wd.
Click to expand...

Yea I'm sure that would make it up schoolbus :shaking:

Woody, I may eat my words depending on how fast of a top end this thing has :) But I'll still race ya' :driver:
 
Build the two seater version of a Rhino.

http://www.rhino-offroad.com/

I remember seeing one playing around on the Jellico, Tn UROC course the day before a comp. It impressed a lot of folks that day. Its not perfect but what is?

<><Fish
 
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