Tube buggy project.

Pappy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 8, 2012
Location
Granite Falls
I have been out for a while. Now I am wanting to get back in. I am looking for a project tube buggy. Something that needs to be finished. Any type buggy l would like to see.I am interested in possible single seat rear engine type buggys. Let me know what is out there. I would like to find something in the cheaper range but let me know what you got. The right buggy might get me to spend more. Thank you.
 
I’m no expert on this topic, but based on my observations I would like to offer the following thoughts:
A $5k buggy will be $45k more to finish
A $20k buggy will be $25k more to finish
A $30k buggy will be $10k more to finish
A $40k buggy will still not be perfect.

Build what you want, just don’t go into it thinking you will save money by spending less. The cost of sorting a rig out is almost never reclaimed in the selling price.
 
I’m no expert on this topic, but based on my observations I would like to offer the following thoughts:
A $5k buggy will be $45k more to finish
A $20k buggy will be $25k more to finish
A $30k buggy will be $10k more to finish
A $40k buggy will still not be perfect.

Build what you want, just don’t go into it thinking you will save money by spending less. The cost of sorting a rig out is almost never reclaimed in the selling price.
Buy built then tinker. Or build with a budget. Or build dream never finish be out time and dollars.

5k doesn't really fit any of these except the last one.
 
I agree to build a good quality buggy does take a lot more than $5000. If I was in the position to spend more I would. I am hoping to find someones project that they have lost interest in or just want to sell. I do my own fabrication so I can make the way I would like. But it would give me a head start. If I don't find something that is ok also. I can start my project from scratch and it will take longer. I have appreciated all the support and suggestions. You guys are exactly right it is going to cost in the long run.
 
As a Toyota guy, just get a Toyota. Start with something that has fuel injection or you can swap to propane. And beat it like it stole your last chicken nugget while you do the buggy on the side.

Careful though… my $800 Toyota has cost me well into the built buggy price range.

It’s all about the journey sometimes.
 
With a $5k budget, I would look for a rig that had the best parts list. Try to find something with axles, engine, trans, tcase, etc that can be moved over to a buggy later.

Find an "ugly" rig that not many people would be interested in that has good parts. Fix and upgrade those parts as money allows while you wheel it. Then when the budget allows, find a chassis to swap all your parts over to.
 
Built a few, never saved a dime. Spent a lot of time in the garage.

Saved up a decent budget, bought built, went wheelin and improved. More time on the trail.

For 5k I would save up another 3 and get a well sorted Toyota or XJ and go hurt feelings.
 
Yes I was hoping to find something that had some good axles and it would be awesome to also have a good power train. I am keeping my options open for right now. Thank you for all the input.
 
This one is kind of ugly, but it appears to have 05+ Ford Super Duty axles with WFO Concepts radius arms, a 5.3 V8 and 5spd. It would be a good candidate to build a firewall buggy out of and could probably be done at your $5k price.

 
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