Rock Buggy build....

[Trailrat99XJ]

I am starting the process of building two buggies! I have a limited budget to work with so I'll take any opinion as to how to spec. it.

I'm starting with dana 60's with 5:13 gears.
I want a small block 350 (5.3 or 5.7)

From there, who knows.......

Anyone have any ideas from past builds?

I will update as I go! :fing:

[gm4x4lover]

Are you looking for a 2 seater or a 4 seater? It could offer 2 very different builds.

[Haku]

Thats a good start for sure. Good solid base to start with.

Nicks question about how many seats is good too. Any normal two to four seater chassis will fit that engine, so it really depends on how much you want to spend and what kind of styling you want. Fordboy77 mentioned that he wants to build a buggy too, and I found a bunch of decent chassis builders. If you want to keep it local, have a look at Jimmy's 4x4 down in Cortez, CO. They aren't the cheapest out there, but look to do some badass chassis (or a turn key if you want that) stuff. As far as I know, they are the only prefab "cookie cutter" chassis builder in CO right now too.

Another one I really like is Hendrix Motorsports. They make the x-chassis, which is a neat four seater and one of the cheaper chassis builders out there. Theirs start at $2200 (or a couple hundred more for DOM instead of HREW steel). Its definitely one of the more basic chassis' out there, but should do ya well. Here is a cool build up of an X-chassis using similar stuff to what you might (V8, Dana 60's, atlas transfercase, etc).... http://www.tinbenders.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3351

A lot of the other "cookie cutter" chassis builders out there charge up to $5k for their setups though.

There is also the option of buying plans and building a chassis yourself, and spending the money on a bender and tools too. I know there is at least one place that sells plans for $80 and have a couple different chassis layouts with 2, 3, and 4 seater variants.

Seems like a good place to start to me, since you'll be building it all off that. Other stuff to consider is what kind of transmission and transfer case you'll be running, hydro steering, radiator placement, exhaust, 3 link or 4 link suspsensions, air shocks, coils and shocks, or full coilovers. Gets pretty complicated.

I've spent a lot of the last year perusing the builds on pirate and other places, and have noticed that its "full steam ahead" for the first 1/4 to 1/2 of the project, and then people get discouraged and end up throwing a tarp over it for 6 months or end up deciding to sell everything half done. I've also noticed that whatever budget that people come up with almost always gets exceeded significantly due to all the little stuff they didn't plan for. Same goes for how long they think it will take to build.

Hate to say it, but it might be worth looking into a buggy that is already built and ready to wheel. Sure, you don't get the satisfaction of building it yourself, but that satisfaction seems to come at large financial and mental cost. I've seen a bunch of buggies go for less money then it would take to build a new one on your own lately. Might also see about taking on someone elses half finished project and finishing it. Never hurts to let someone else do the leg work right?

Everyone on here is awesome, but its certainly not the most ideal forum to find out info about building this kind of stuff. As stupid as they are on there sometimes, Pirate4x4 is a great place to find info on this kind of stuff, if you can sift through the BS. Some pretty neat buildups to look through and see what it takes.

Maybe some bullet points on what you are looking to use it for and such would be a good starting point.

JH

[gm4x4lover]

If i were to build a 2 seater buggy i think i would want it light with lots of ground clearance but a low center of gravity, i would also want it to be very economical. I would build it with the following: 2.2 gm eco-tec motor ( or a 4.3 with a 700r4 would also work and probably be cheaper), I think you could mount it to a aw4 jeep tranny, next in line would be a 3 or 4 speed atlas drivers drop, coil overs with soft valving and medium coils, linked front and rear built toy axles with 5.29's in them locked and hydro assist steering and put it on 37's. I bet you could get it to weigh less than 3k

If i were to build a 4 seater buggy it would be as follows: 5.3L gm motor with a z06 cam, 4l80e tranny, 203/205 doubler, 60 front and 14 bolt rear locked with 5.38's, full hydro steering and 42's or 46's, i would do coil overs in the front and nitro charged rears no springs.

You can pick up a 4.3 with a harness for less than $500. get a built 700 for less than a grand. And you can get a 5.3 with harness for less than 800 and pick up a used 4l80 for $1200. The front axle is going to cost a mint and the rear will be cheap. I would just weld the rear and get a selectable front. I would run front hubs on either just flanges. You could build a small buggy for less than 7 grand less the chassis very easy and 15 for the bigger one less the chassis.

[Brody]

I sent a Pm to ya, too...

Single seat and light :Like Nick said-4.3 or 2.7Yota with Yota axles. 2 seater to 4 seater with power-LS1 or 2, Corporate, Portals or Danas.

Full hydro and 40-42" tires on either. LockedX4.

Hendrix chassis. Air shocks or coil overs and linked F/R

Start with how many people you are going to want to have in it, then base the horsepower/torque you want on that. Keep in mind that you will be towing it and probably not going to doing much more than 40mph at any given time. Also keep in mind that both Toyota and GM parts are very cheap and have huge after market support as well as a huge used parts availibility. An Atlas, Klune or similar will give you the gearing as well as a 203/205 doubler. With a Yota you have the considerably cheaper Marlin or Advance Adapters set up. Either the Atlas or Klune is going to set you back around $3k if not more. The Yota stuff you can put together for around half that or less.

That said, you can find someone's used buggy for probably around $6-8k that has everything you want and would be cheaper than anything else...

[Brody]

Here are pictures of one of the cleanest buggy builds using a Hendrix chassis that I have ever seen. Clean, simple, functional, lightweight,excellent horsepower to weight ratio and using readily acquired components. All put together is 2 months in the guys spare time. If I was going to do a buggy, this is similar to what I would be looking at doing.

He used a small block 302 Ford, but pretty much anything is going to work with this light rig. About the only thing I wouldn't put in it would be an inline 6 simply because the power to overall size ratio isn't all that good. I don't know if I would do the extra work for the rear steer unless I had the extra $$ just lying around lookng for a home. It would be sweet, though.

Economically, any of the Toyota engines are plentiful and relatively cheap. Not that I am a huge fan of Toyota over other makes, but the low gear options for Toyotas happen to be a lot cheaper than other T case 'doubler' arrangements on the market, at least cheaper than Atlas or Klune...

[Trailrat99XJ]

Update.....I have the dana 60's and will be picking up a 4.3l today. (scrapped the v-8). I will post pics soon.

[Volcom]

Sounds like an awesome project, keep us posted! I'm guessing my 4Runner will one day become a buggy. The more I wrinkle the sheetmetal, the more I cut off :D

[Brody]

Update.....I have the dana 60's and will be picking up a 4.3l today. (scrapped the v-8). I will post pics soon.

Really? Scrapped the Chevy 350 LS1 or 2? Where did you leave it? That may very well be the next engine going into my heap....:lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:

[Trailrat99XJ]

Some pics! Front and rear dana 60's
6.0 V-8
Some of the tube work

It's a start!!!!

[Brody]

Looking good!

One small question:

Since one of the things that I have noticed on my rig and something that I am planning to change the next time I feel like doing major surgery, is the way the rock rails and sliders are. Sure the sliders are mounted pretty high and the kickers are mounted up at an angle on my rig, but if I were doing this and was building from scratch, I would 'boatside' the sliders and rock rails at this point to both narrow the profile and to add the ability to get through and grind over rocks better. I would simply let the seats and tranny hump dictate the width and crank the sides up from that.

Here is a link showing a 'boatsided' Jeep, still with the min body panels:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51124&highlight=rocker+panels

And one on a K5:

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86240

You can see what even this simple mod to the cage/frame does to these rigs, so doing it to a full on buggy is going to be even better. I would keep a buggy as narrow as feasibly possible as the stability is going to come from the axle width and suspension anyway.

[Trailrat99XJ]

Update! We have a good start on the first one and #2 is underway!

10776107751077410773

[WINKY]

this is going to be wicked man!

[Minerdude1]

Thats pretty sweet man! My father in law and I really want to build a tube buggy... and I coincidently have a spare front and rear Toyota axle in the garage. I just need to come across a good deal on tubing and its on!!

[Haku]

Sweet indeed. Should be very capable when you are done. Did you guys buy plans or are you just designing it yourself? Definitely something I'd like to do some day too. Already have ideas about how I want to do it, but having the time, space, and money is the hard part for me right now. Definitely cool to see this buildup though. Thats quite the front axle you guys bought/made.

JH

[JKimmel]

Looking good!

One small question:

Since one of the things that I have noticed on my rig and something that I am planning to change the next time I feel like doing major surgery, is the way the rock rails and sliders are. Sure the sliders are mounted pretty high and the kickers are mounted up at an angle on my rig, but if I were doing this and was building from scratch, I would 'boatside' the sliders and rock rails at this point to both narrow the profile and to add the ability to get through and grind over rocks better. I would simply let the seats and tranny hump dictate the width and crank the sides up from that.

Here is a link showing a 'boatsided' Jeep, still with the min body panels:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51124&highlight=rocker+panels

And one on a K5:

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86240

You can see what even this simple mod to the cage/frame does to these rigs, so doing it to a full on buggy is going to be even better. I would keep a buggy as narrow as feasibly possible as the stability is going to come from the axle width and suspension anyway.

I've thought about doing this with mine, cutting out the rocker and welding in tube instead. I would notch the body for runners to the frame...my only concern is effectively hard mounting the body to the frame at that point and some say its not a problem on a bodied vehicle, some say you'll have issues with things starting to crack and self destruct.

Great start anyhow :)

[Haku]

There is a build thread on Pirate right now where someone went over the top big with the boatside. The guy also cut the whole cable down the center and narrowed it by 6 inches too. Here are some pics...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=504367&d=1267320266

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=504366&d=1267320266

here is the link to the full build thread....

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=857766

Cool, but not what I would want for mine. Coolest part about it is that he can still use the doors. Could be interesting though. I have definitely thought about boat siding mine when I put the exo on. I'd go far less extreme and just do it so it doesn't effect body work. In an ideal world, I'd stick a sheet of UHMW on there, but that stuff is spendy. Sure does provide good "sliding" surface though. Would be easy enough to attach the sheet metal to it with rivnuts and flat head counter sunk bolts or even just small pieces of half inch bar with a threaded hole welded onto the supports.

JH

[Trailrat99XJ]

Steve's is coming a long great. Mine has stalled a little bit..... Not a lot of time lately. He is down here after work and on the weekends and obviously I don't have that kind of time. It's a lot of work to build from scratch!

[Trailrat99XJ]

Yep, Todd just sank a ton into his Jeep so it's pretty much bullet proof now. Mine has been sitting in the garage collecting dust. Lot's of unfinished projects on it I just can't get too. I must say your Grand looks fu#@ing sweet. Good job with it... Yes we've got them sitting in the second warehouse. lot's of room in there nowadays! When I get home I'll put up some new picks

[Trailrat99XJ]

Here is the updated pics... Todd had a "mishap" on Lincoln and had to basically rebuild his lift. He went with rock crawler equipment and the curry anti-rock system. New drive line.. and stuff I can't remembe11745r11744.11743

[Trailrat99XJ]

That is Steve's. Mine is just the first section of frame still. Well behind his but I have been focusing on my Jeep lately.

[Brody]

Thanks for the update and pictures! Looking really good!

[latva0311]

looks awesome!! what size tubing are you using? wall thickness? did you ever narrow down some of your options as to what might be going on the buggy? tire size, tranny, how many spline on the axles? lockers, what set up ext.



There is also the option of buying plans and building a chassis yourself, and spending the money on a bender and tools too. I know there is at least one place that sells plans for $80 and have a couple different chassis layouts with 2, 3, and 4 seater variants.


where is this place you speak of?

[Trailrat99XJ]

Whats going on with yours? Just upgrading?

I had to put in a new clutch, new main rear seal and my dana 44 was leaking from every possible place! I pulled out about 10 lbs of wire from inside and out and re-wired everything. Been working on making new pipe doors for the back but not done with that yet! I still have to weld a hole in the floor. The weather has sucked out here so it's not like I'm missing anything yet!!

[Trailrat99XJ]

It's all good! You need to remove the oil pan. Your sway bar might be in the way but I think you can get it off without removing it. Do you have the Haynes book for the Grand. It contains good instructions.

[Trailrat99XJ]

It will hold for awhile. Yeah, that looks like a good time. Good wheeling out there! Get out the Dremel!!

[Trailrat99XJ]

Check this out...11794

[Brody]

Hey Jordan

Check this out for a start:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5306639#post5306639

There are more companies out there that do this, but you will have to do some digging. Another option is that there are that there are also companies that sell 'conversion' tubs chassis kits that use Blazer and Yota frames as part of the design. The ones that I know of weld right up to the existing frames.

Google '4x4 buggy plans' or 4x4 rock buggy plans' and you will get a lot of links.

[latva0311]

Thanks Brody

just thinking for possible future plans. i just never heard about people selling them so cheap!

[Brody]

Hey Jordan

Here are another couple of sources that build generic cage kits and parts. As you can see from the first one, they can be modified to fit most anything and are designed to mount to existing frame rails:

http://mrw-wheels.com/motorsports/rollcage.html

Bud Built builds a frame for a starting point:

http://www.budbuilt.com/new/frames.html

And Blue Torch Fabworks designs and sells full cage kits in all manner of styles:

http://bluetorchfab.com/store/index.php?cPath=13

[sunk]

Those pics are making me drool, I want one.

[Trailrat99XJ]

It's a ZJ! His name is Tyler Anderson. He's on facebook. Look him up, he has lots of pics of his build.


I just saw the pic, who's is that? Is that an XJ?

[Trailrat99XJ]

Try this.... http://www.facebook.com/#!/tylerbandersen

[Roostercruiser]

Damn nice

[Trailrat99XJ]

Here is the latest picture of Steve's buggy. It's real close!

Currently it sits on two Dana 60's with an ARB up front and a full time in the back. We need to swap these out. Front to rear and rear to front. Anyone interested in helping him out on Saturday? Let me know! Thanks. Also, let me know what you would charge to do it. Thanks!

[Brad]

Looks great! For a matchbox! :D

seriously, do you have a bigger pic?

[Trailrat99XJ]

That was from my phone, I will put up better pics later today.

[Trailrat99XJ]

If someone is interested in swapping the lockers let me know. Friday or Saturday of this week would be great!

[Brad]

That's better! Looks really good! :thumb:

[Haku]

You still need help swapping the lockers? I could probably come by either day. Was hoping to use my truck this weekend, but another wrench in the works and I have to tear the sucker apart again so I am more free to do stuff. Don't know how much it takes to do the lockers, but I'm willing to be another set of hands.

[Trailrat99XJ]

You still need help swapping the lockers? I could probably come by either day. Was hoping to use my truck this weekend, but another wrench in the works and I have to tear the sucker apart again so I am more free to do stuff. Don't know how much it takes to do the lockers, but I'm willing to be another set of hands.

Thanks Josh but he decided to keep them the way they are! With the hydro steering the full time locker hopefully won't be an issue..

[Haku]

Think he might change his mind after driving a bit more, but thats not a big deal. It will be just as easy to do it later as now, except dirt/mud removal. Time to get that sucker on the trails.....and to start yours. Did I mention that I am completely jealous of your shop? Wish I had that much room at my place.

[Trailrat99XJ]

Mike, I haven't had any time! I pretty much gave up on it this summer. Seems like the XJ always needs something fixed or the kids have something going on! Maybe this winter I will attempt it again!! I have done more wheeling this year then I have in the past so my weekends obviously have been short too!!

[Funrover]

Very cool!

[Trailrat99XJ]

UPDATE! We picked up Steve's buggy from getting powder coated last week and he put a lot of it back together this weekend. Looking sweet!!!! I will take some new pictures and add them soon. Hoping to take it on a test run in a couple weeks and then off to Moab!!

[Brad]

:pics:

[Trailrat99XJ]

Here's a few pics. Should be up in running in a couple weeks!

[Aaron]

Real nice!

[Trailrat99XJ]

3 more pics

[Trailrat99XJ]

a section of the hood painted and the powder coated floor

[Trailrat99XJ]

Another couple hours of work and it's done!!

[Toadman26]

It looks awesome....

[Mporter]

Nice

[Aaron]

That I'd like to see on some rocks.

[Volcom]

Looks killer!!

Sent from my TI-82 using Tapatalk

[Mporter]

Those are IROK bias, correct?

[Cr33p3r]

Looks really sweet, can't wait to see some action shots of it.

[Trailrat99XJ]

We took it out to Ram Offroad Park today and it rocked!!! My camera didn't work but I'll get some of Steve's pics and put them up tomorrow.

[Haku]

Sweeet. Need to get that Mofo out on a real trail now too. My junk too. Definitely hit me up if you do.

[foxtrot]

isn't ram offroad park the on that is east on hwy 24? how did you guys get in there? it is always locked when I go by

[KnuckleHead]

Looks sweet, can't wait to see it in action

[Trailrat99XJ]

"isn't ram offroad park the on that is east on hwy 24? how did you guys get in there? it is always locked when I go by"

Steve just called them to see if they were open. There is a guy who lives nearby who let us in.

[Toadman26]

lets go down there soon

[Trailrat99XJ]

Sweeet. Need to get that Mofo out on a real trail now too. My junk too. Definitely hit me up if you do.

After the holidays, we are going somewhere!! Moab is an option but we're leaning towards Big Springs, Arkansas! Have some peeps that would meet us down there.

[Trailrat99XJ]

Another good test... I think it's ready for MOAB!!

[Haku]

Another good test... I think it's ready for MOAB!!

hahaa....sweeet. Thats a face only a mother could love, but its a sweet rig for sure. I know I'm planning on being in Moab from the 19th through the 2nd, and it would be a great time to bring it out for a break in run.

[Mporter]

So cool....

You mind me asking how much that cost from start- finish?

[Cr33p3r]

That turned out pretty sweet and looks like it could handle a lot of hard trails.

[MelloYello]

100% Sweetness!!! That is cool. I think Moab is calling you. : )

[RockGrinder]

That is an awsome buggy! Hope you have tons of fun with it and little to fix for the many trails just dying to be run over by it!:smokin:

[Trailrat99XJ]

Please see new FOR SALE thread

[FischerFab]

Sweet rig man look great!

[Brody]

Sweet rig, for sure, and now being sold with only 25-35 hours on it....

[Trailrat99XJ]

Very sad that it needs to be sold

[Brody]

Very sad that it needs to be sold

Sad, hell. That just plain sucks...

[Rick]

bummer