Dune Buggies

[Joey D]

Ok me and some friends want to build a dune buggy or a sand rail. We don't really know how to go about this so we need some help.

What kinds of engines are good?
What is good engine placement?
Should it be AWD or RWD?

Any other help would be great.

Thanks
Street

 

[1X83Z]

Rear-engine, rear-drive. Get a motorcycle or powerful lawnmower engine,.

 

[Roo]

Or a Daimler herse...

 

[Joey D]

we want something with power. We thought about taking the engine outta my mustang and using that.

 

[Robin2]

get a VW bug, fix up the engine and gearbox, take out the rear seats and anything you dont really need and get some big tyres for it. they rule as beach buggies.

 

[Cobraboy]

I was thinking about building a go-kart this time last year, and I had a whole lot of off-roading kart/buggies sites bookmarked. Unforetunatley (I always spell that wrong) I cleaned out my bookmarks so I cant help you there Im sorry. But I do know of a website that has good sandrail/buggies links but I just cant remember it.....


[edit]Just found it: http://sadik.net/gokart/links.html Or you can go to http://sadik.net/gokart To see this guys buggie build.[/edit]

 

[Joey D]

We can't find a bug around here. They are non exsistant for some reason

 

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by streetracer780
We can't find a bug around here. They are non exsistant for some reason

The old VW Bug frame is a great starting point. See if you can get one on Ebay. Otherwise . . . a custom tube frame? IMO, the Mustang engine would be good, if in need of some work to provide more power down low rather than at the upper rev range -- or even midrange. RWD would do okay, if you had a Bug chassis (rear engine), but AWD is better if it's front-engined.

I guess in a pinch, get a junkyard 911 shell. You should be able to shoehorn the Mustang V8 in there after the 911's rear seats are chucked.

It's all about balance in the sand, and where the traction needs to be (i.e., rear-biased).

 

[Joey D]

AH alright I put my friend on the case and he's looking for what ever he thinks is good.

 

[mayorbill11]

how are you going to stuff an FR config mustang engine into a rear engined sandrail? not very easily, that's for sure.

maybe mr2/fiero it? FWD drivetrain in the rear.

on junkyard wars the took the FF 3.2L V6/suspension/everything out of the front of an olds omega and framed it into the back of a bug. it worked well(despite the gas pedal cable breaking alot) and could be a very good buggy if some time was put into it (the FF as an RR drivetrain that is)

 

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by mayorbill11
how are you going to stuff an FR config mustang engine into a rear engined sandrail? not very easily, that's for sure.

Erm, no, I guess not. You could try putting the Taurus SHO transmission in there (making it similar to a FF/RR switch)...but that does get complicated. I think the Mustang engine is a good piece, though, for a dune buggy. The rest of it is just...not. Custom road cars I think up as I program Crestron, but off-road vehicles are [obviously] not my forte'.

 

[Magic069]

VW engine and frame is the easiest way. If you can't find one, look harder, it will be worth the work in finding one. Trust me.

 

[Joey D]

Would it be possible to get a VW Bug and slip a Stang engine in it?

 

[Cobraboy]

Why dont you weld up a frame and chassis from scratch, thats what Im going to do.

 

[bigwhlkid]

a good idea would be for you to pick up an issue of VW Trends they have great articles and ads for companies that make sand rails, when you have your chassies picked out you can use the other ads in the mag to find a high performance engine (the advantage to having a VW engine is that the design is very simple and is easly moded or tunned) and suspension. they even have articles on sand rails specifically in some issues, i would know for my mom is into VW's and has a 71 super bettle.

 

[Option2]

Build a sandrail. Easier to fix and more fun and more stable. I've seen a couple sandrails with D16 Honda motors.

 

[Robin2]

i wouldnt mind one of those chennelwick buggies with the mounted M60 machine-gun that was used in the gulf. boy you could mow down the pigs.

 

[Cobraboy]

http://www.dune-buggy.com
http://www.sandrail.com

 

[Joey D]

THanks for the help!

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by   
i wouldnt mind one of those chennelwick buggies with the mounted M60 machine-gun that was used in the gulf. boy you could mow down the pigs.

They aren't street legal. Damn gun and bumper/airbag laws.

 

[Joey D]

ya to bad