| Dune buggies are basically light vehicles featuring an | | | | it allows for greater freedom as the fabricator can |
| open chassis and powered by a modified engine. | | | | alter various parts of the vehicle to suit the terrain. |
| These buggies, sport larger than average tires, which | | | | There exists a third method that is sort of a |
| allow them to be easily navigable through the sand. | | | | temporary fix. These dune buggies sport a blend of |
| However, these days, the term dune buggies have | | | | the above two design strategies, when converted |
| been diversified according to the type of terrain on | | | | dune buggies sustain damages and spare parts are |
| which it's driven. Dune buggies are being widely built | | | | not readily available and they are tinkered upon. |
| to incorporate generic off-road capabilities such as | | | | Types: |
| indoor track racing. Some have even been built to be | | | | Sand Rails: |
| used as on-road vehicles. The function is considered | | | | Sand Rails are lighter and come with padded tires to |
| and incorporated at the designing stage itself as this | | | | make getting around on sands a lot easier. The |
| allows maximizing the comforts and safety features. | | | | stripped down roll cage, smooth tires and the |
| These were primarily meant to be driven on beaches | | | | absence of front brakes render the vehicle easy |
| or deserts and that's how the name dune buggies | | | | navigation on the sand. The engines on Sand Rails are |
| stuck | | | | very powerful making these highly agile and swift. |
| Construction: Dune Buggies were typically crafted | | | | Sand Rails typically weigh between 800-1100 pounds. |
| using two methods, one was to alter an existing | | | | Trail Buggy: Trail Buggies are intended to be driven on |
| vehicle and the second was to construct a vehicle | | | | rougher terrain or harder surfaces. They feature |
| from scratch by welding together steel tubing. The | | | | reinforced frames meant to protect the occupants in |
| Volkswagen Bug was always a clear favorite | | | | the event of a rollover or high impact. Most of the |
| amongst dune buggy design aficionados, and the | | | | trail buggies are equipped with good shocks and |
| reasons are aplenty. The rear mounted engine allows | | | | treaded tires to render better grip in order to clear |
| for higher traction once the bodywork is removed. | | | | through the rut and rocks. They weigh between |
| The air cooled engine vastly simplifies engine | | | | 1200-1500 pounds. |
| modifications, the absence of radiator is another and | | | | It's to be remembered that a Dune buggy is an |
| coupled with the easy availability of spare parts and | | | | extremely personalized vehicle; you would find as |
| cheap price makes the bug an unparalleled choice. | | | | many variations as the number of people building |
| Even the term "buggy" seems to have been | | | | them. There are no hard and fast classifications as |
| borrowed and modified from the Volkswagen | | | | such, when it comes to buggies, the vital thing is that |
| automobile. Creating dune buggies from welding | | | | one has to have a clear understanding of how and |
| together steel tubing (also known as space frame | | | | where to use it. |
| chassis) requires knowledge of fabrication. However, | | | | |