Custom Buggy

[SummitRider2014]

Looks really cool! I was building something like this a few years ago. I was pretty young so it never got finished, I'm planning on starting something like this over the summer. Can you post more pics? Just more details, suspension, drivetrain.... Can't decide between a sled motor or a 600cc street bike motor.


Sent while I'm killing time at work

 

[Iamcatman]

I am going to have to take more pics, but the two stroke sled engine is the cats meow if you can figure out the tuning. it took me two weeks of evenings cutting and welding, and cutting and welding, and testing, tweaking this and that to make it perform like it was meant. I used a 600 Arctic Cat Powder Special as the donor sled. EFI, so I don't have to tweak carbs, also, the engine is light. I will take more pics when I get a chance, and post them here. Keep checking back, and I will keep posting more pics and info. I am in the process of modifying the rear suspension and repairing some cracks, so I will see if I remember to take pics as I go.

 

[SummitRider2014]

Awesome! Subscribed.


Sent while I'm killing time at work

 

[Skyline]

Lets see some videos! I want to see these creations in action

 

[J-Roc]

I'm envious! That's awesome! Wish I had the skill and patience to do this! Lots of ideas in my brain, but that's where they stop!

 

[Iamcatman]

Buggy Vid - YouTube
IMG 25451 - YouTube
IMG 25441 - YouTube

HERE YOU GUYS GO... A LITTLE ROAD ACTION PITS ACTION AND TRAIL CAM ACTION SOMETIME THIS SUMMER

 

[fnDan]

My thoughts... I would add tubing/frame out and around the sides (above the tires) to protect the clutch a bit and take some of the weight off the axles when it rolls on it's side. At least for the rear end where most of the weight is. Must have been fun designing and fabricating.

 

[Highfly]

Looks like a blast man, great job on the design and the fab work. It's not easy scratch building something like that (I believe I am qualified to say this, see below). I also would like to see a disk brake on the rear axle.
Do not put front brakes on it unless you have them seriously proportioned or adjustable bias on the set up. I have ran Dune buggies for a lot of years with small front end loader tires up front. Total death trap with front brakes, They are just too lite and they just lock up and then you have zero steering during any panic braking. I had 31" 15.5 terra tires out back and due to the size of them and low air pressure that was ran in them had lots of braking power. I also had steering brakes which helped you a lot to pitch it in what ever directing you needed. Hit the gas and pull a back wheel brake and it was sideways before you knew what happened. Good times.
Here is a pic of my old Off roader, with my daughter in her little buggy.
I updated the rear brakes with disc brakes due to the tire size.

Had a PILE of work into this buggy. Making things safer, stronger etc.

Then I bought this car. The red one.

It was a death trap. Pan rusted right through.



I ended up scrapping most of the chassis and made my own. Narrowed the front suspension to tuck the tires in nicer, swapped out the swing axle rear suspension and installed a IRS set up.
Many hours into it. Lots of geometry involved getting it just right. Things like bump steer etc. It all has to be worked into the chassis.
Rather than pay for someone to do the tube bending I bought a tube bender and taught myself how to use it. I about broke even but now I still have the bender.
Here is what I ended up with...




Chucked the old single brake reservoir out and did a little trick conversion to a dual set up using a Volvo Reservoir. It snaps right onto the VW Brake cylinder. Now if I blow a front or rear brake cylinder I don't lose all my brakes.




Here is what I ended up with. It seriously handles like a Porsche. Not as fast as one right now but have big plans for it....These kinds of builds are never done Once I get the new motor I'll be replacing all the drum brakes with disk brakes (With adjustable proportioning). Looking at Porsche 5 speed conversion for a transmission. Due to the weight (It weighs 1600LBS with driver) If I build an engine with 230 HP (Easily done with all the aftermarket parts available now a days for VW's Ill be in Corvette territory.