| You've seen some great dune buggies on the | | | | want one. |
| beach lately, and you've decided that owning | | | | |
| and driving a dune buggy looks great. So you | | | | So is it hard to build your own buggY? Well |
| want to build a dune buggy because you're | | | | of course that all depends on your level of |
| good with your hands and want to save some | | | | skill. If you've spent a lifetime repairing |
| money. | | | | cars, restoring cars and rebuilding cars, for |
| | | | example, then you might be well placed to |
| Before you do anything though, you need to | | | | build your own buggy. However if you haven't |
| know where you want to be driving your buggy, | | | | done much work with cars before then yes, |
| and what you need it to do. Basically there | | | | building a dune buggy isn't easy. It takes |
| are 3 places that dune buggies are driven, | | | | skills, it takes money and it takes time, and |
| and each requires a different build. | | | | be prepared for many hours of frustration. |
| | | | |
| Firstly is the road. Yes you can drive a dune | | | | My first recommendation if you thinking of |
| buggy on the road. But of course it needs to | | | | building your own dune buggy for the first |
| be street legal, and doesn't need many of the | | | | time? Buy a dune buggy kit or at the very |
| things that other dune buggies can have, like | | | | least some high quality dune buggy plans to |
| 4 wheel drive. | | | | work from. Now a kit doesn't provide |
| | | | everything you need. You'll need to supply |
| There are some very good fiberglass street | | | | your own motor, for example, but it does |
| legal buggies that look great, and these are | | | | supply you with some of the basics that are |
| usually based on a vw frame and body and | | | | hard to build yourself. For example if you're |
| built up from there. | | | | wanting a figerglass buggy the fiberglass |
| | | | body isn't easy to make at home, so you can |
| Then there's the classic place for dune | | | | get a kit with a good body already supplied. |
| buggies, the dunes. Sand driving is probably | | | | |
| about the most fun that you can have in a | | | | But my number one recommendation if you're |
| buggy, but it needs a buggy with specific | | | | thinking of building your own dune buggy for |
| characteristics. For example very light, with | | | | the first time? Don't. Not unless you're |
| a good power to weight ratio. Huge sand tires | | | | supremely confident in your own skills. It |
| on the rear, and small smooth tires on the | | | | isn't easy, and usually takes way longer than |
| front. Front brakes not necessary, but good | | | | you imagined it could, and costs more, and |
| quality rear brakes. | | | | while you're slaving in the garage trying to |
| | | | build your buggy everyone else is out there |
| Then there's the off road buggy designed for | | | | on the dunes cutting it up. |
| the dirt. Steep hills perhaps, mud and | | | | |
| trails. They need a stronger frame and roll | | | | There are some very good places where you can |
| cage because a rollover can be more severe, | | | | find yourself a great dune buggy for sale (or |
| (ie hitting a tree for example), The tires | | | | even a good dune buggy kit) at a very good |
| are different, front brakes are much more | | | | price. Usually much cheaper than you could |
| important, and the frame needs to be | | | | build one for yourself. |
| stronger. The driving surface you'll be on | | | | |
| will be rougher and will require better | | | | So grab yourself a second hand buggy, |
| suspension, longer travel and mud and dirt | | | | learn all you can about it first, learn all |
| tires. | | | | you can about building a dune buggy for |
| | | | yourself and, if you really want to, build |
| So if you're intending to build your own dune | | | | your second buggy once you know what you're |
| buggy, then you need to work out your exact | | | | in for. At least you've got your first one |
| requirements first. Frame, motor, tires, | | | | there to drive when you get tired of |
| suspension, brakes, roll cage, body, if you | | | | building. |