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