Thoughts on whether this would be possible

[Flexibel_kampfe]

I was wondering if something like this would be possible to do for the average hobbiest... Now, I wouldnt be adding the the third seat, nor the M60/.50 cal(depending on the model) as well as a scaled down engine(unless I can find a big one cheap...

I would also use either a fixed rear suspension, a swing arm, or trailing arms... if you could tell me which, is best, I would be thankful.

 

[Angus]

It basically depends on how much time and money you have. Kit cars of similar size and complexity seem to take most people a few years to build, and cost upwards of $20,000. Then again they're usually road-legal and go pretty fast.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

Well, I would scale down on the engine.. so theres about 10k.. I would use probably an ATV transmission.. or two(for two engines)... and I would use either steel or aluminum tube...

 

[sideways]

I was wondering if something like this would be possible to do for the average hobbiest... Now, I wouldnt be adding the the third seat, nor the M60/.50 cal(depending on the model) as well as a scaled down engine(unless I can find a big one cheap...

I would also use either a fixed rear suspension, a swing arm, or trailing arms... if you could tell me which, is best, I would be thankful.

Get an old VW beetle, there's tons of buggies like this that have been built out of them. They go up for sale for less than $500 pretty often too.

Hayden

 

[JHen]

Totally within grasp. Building this isn't any different than building a go kart, other than size. Take out the 3rd seat and the frame around it and it looks JUST like a sand rail. And for something this big, you will want rear suspension, and most use independent trailing arms on the rear or double A-arms.

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

pretty much looks like a VW buggy. Not very complex, and could be built for a few thousand no problem. But you will need access to some good tools, and a decent size open shop if you want to do it right.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

I might very well shrink the width too... that way I could do it in my garage... So it would end up single seat... or perhaps in tandem, like the original design...


Maybe this might be a tad too big...

What would be a design that can go over all the same terrain, at speed(keep up with an ATV) but is small enough to be worked on, in a single car garage...

Thanks...

Also.... a few grand is a tad expensive for me... I would like to try and keep it out of mostly scavanged materials(Ill post in the local paper and on CL) so that its cheap....

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

small motorcycle powered sidewinder would be perfect, like modelengineer's (do a search).

 

[freakboy]

if your gona go with something big and fast i would make sure to at least AT LEAST have 1500 for something like the sidewinder or paranaha

 

[modelengineer]

Yeah, i scavenged as much as I could, but even with a pretty much free engine, free gearbox, free brakes, steering wheel, tacho; shocks and steering rack from a wrecker, and wheels and tyres from ebay, the sidewinder still came in at just over 2 grand ($AU). I have no idea where all the money went.

 

[fowler]

jesus that set u back (no offence)
i gotta say for that kinda money u would also want to be a serious "karter"
as in going out every weekend for a long time
for the ocasional bomb around a 250cc kart would be great
(mine is costing $700 plus the $600 engine but i didnt try hard to find a good deal)

 

[Angus]

Building this isn't any different than building a go kart, other than size.

...


Which, when determining how much effort and money is involved, is pretty-much the most important factor.

I think everyone is underestimating how big that thing is. There isn't any scale on the drawing, so it's a bit difficult to tell, but it's probably about as big as that dune-buggy thing that JHen posted a photo of. That thing is huge. The wheels, tires and engine required will be enormous, as will the suspension components, steering, etc. Stopping all that will require big breaks, and it'll use lots of fuel.

You should have a look at some kit-car forums, and see how much time and money most people spend building them. Because this is about as big. Sure, you can reduce your costs by scrounging old parts from junk yards, but there's only so much you can do.

If you think a few grand is expensive, at the very most you'll get away with a single seater with a bike engine, like Modelengineer's.

Not trying to have a go at you or anything, just trying to give a realistic perspective on how much these things cost.

 

[sideways]

...


Which, when determining how much effort and money is involved, is pretty-much the most important factor.

I think everyone is underestimating how big that thing is. There isn't any scale on the drawing, so it's a bit difficult to tell, but it's probably about as big as that dune-buggy thing that JHen posted a photo of. That thing is huge. The wheels, tires and engine required will be enormous, as will the suspension components, steering, etc. Stopping all that will require big breaks, and it'll use lots of fuel.

You should have a look at some kit-car forums, and see how much time and money most people spend building them. Because this is about as big. Sure, you can reduce your costs by scrounging old parts from junk yards, but there's only so much you can do.

If you think a few grand is expensive, at the very most you'll get away with a single seater with a bike engine, like Modelengineer's.

Not trying to have a go at you or anything, just trying to give a realistic perspective on how much these things cost.

Simply get an old vw, take the body of so you've just got to VW floor pan (which the engine and suspension mounts to). Then make up a well engineered roll cage for it, It needs to be strong as the floor pan isn't strong enough to support the forces the buggy will encounter. You can do it in a few weeks if you've got a fair bit of spare time, some buddies to help and the right tools. I know many people who have done it.

Go easy on the gearbox, they don't like being treated too roughly and they will break.

Thanks

Hayden

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

It would be much cheaper to find an old sandrail and restore it.

 

[Flexibel_kampfe]

...


Which, when determining how much effort and money is involved, is pretty-much the most important factor.

I think everyone is underestimating how big that thing is. There isn't any scale on the drawing, so it's a bit difficult to tell, but it's probably about as big as that dune-buggy thing that JHen posted a photo of. That thing is huge. The wheels, tires and engine required will be enormous, as will the suspension components, steering, etc. Stopping all that will require big breaks, and it'll use lots of fuel.

You should have a look at some kit-car forums, and see how much time and money most people spend building them. Because this is about as big. Sure, you can reduce your costs by scrounging old parts from junk yards, but there's only so much you can do.

If you think a few grand is expensive, at the very most you'll get away with a single seater with a bike engine, like Modelengineer's.

Not trying to have a go at you or anything, just trying to give a realistic perspective on how much these things cost.

Dont worry.... I like realistic...


I think That VW idea sounds good... how much would one cost... and with that said, how big are the things...

I live in new england weather, so I would like to be able to work on it inside the garage, but its only a single car garage....

 

[fowler]

they are prety small but i dont think u can have all your machines inside and your vw

 

[sideways]

Dont worry.... I like realistic...


I think That VW idea sounds good... how much would one cost... and with that said, how big are the things...

I live in new england weather, so I would like to be able to work on it inside the garage, but its only a single car garage....

With rather good timing, today I helped strip down a Beetle to build into a buggy. With a team of 4 people armed with a few angle grinders and half a dozen 13mm spanners, we went from a complete car to a rolling floor pan in about 2 hours. It was non stop working quickly with no care as to preserve any of the parts that came off it though. The car was free, the engine is seized but that will be fixed shortly, all up it will probably cost less than $200 to build. If you sold off the parts you striped off the car you'd get all your money back I'd imagine.

You might be able to do it in a single car garage, you'l need to store the parts you strip off it elsewhere though. More space would be good. Although, the only time you really need more space if when you take the body off but just wait for a fine day I guess. You'd probably just be able to lift it off and out the front of the garage, depends on height clearances I guess. The bare body shell is amazingly light, you and a few friends will be able to lift it off. By bare a mean no doors or windows or guards or bonnet though...

Thanks

Hayden

 

[fowler]

u gotta get some pics of that

 

[sideways]

u gotta get some pics of that

Okay, will do.

Hayden

 

[fowler]

do u have to mod the suspension to make the buggy