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