Info on buiding a Baja buggy

90 Weight · 08-06-07, 06:35 PM

Just started to look into building a Baja buggy with my brother...(we watched 2 roads to Baja together and now we are determined)

Im wondering if any of you guys know of a good forum or website for that type of info.... I really dont know much about it and not really sure where to start.

Any info would be appretiated

Thanks

Eli and Toby

calstyl2 · 08-06-07, 06:40 PM

look for a VW baja bug, will be alot easier to starte with, we have some high dollar rigs here, like 50-250K for a good dune buggy

90 Weight · 08-06-07, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calstyl2

look for a VW baja bug, will be alot easier to starte with, we have some high dollar rigs here, like 50-250K for a good dune buggy

When you say "we" what do you mean...you work at a shop or something.

my brother and I were looking at the different classes of race buggies and we both really liked the "class 10 two man 1650cc"- which just from the pictures look like they are built from scratch with a tube frame... but not sure as to how expensive that could get

vs something like a vw baja bug

bogus one · 08-06-07, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90 Weight

When you say "we" what do you mean...you work at a shop or something.

my brother and I were looking at the different classes of race buggies and we both really liked the "class 10 two man 1650cc"- which just from the pictures look like they are built from scratch with a tube frame... but not sure as to how expensive that could get

vs something like a vw baja bug

My old boss races a Class 10 two seater. He's got over $200k into it. Although he did have it built. Do you want to race or just play hard?

90 Weight · 08-06-07, 06:55 PM

well since im a college student (19) and my brother is 10....

the idea is that we would slowly build and save up here and there and get it built while he is in Highschool....

My personal thought on it was that we would built it to racing specs.... and take our time, so that we can learn how to drive and then when we have the extra cash...throw in the performance parts that would allow us to race....but then again I dont know atall what im talking about so basically looking for guidance...

ducktapeguy · 08-06-07, 07:13 PM

The community college where I took my welding classes had a class on building a buggy. It don't know too much about it, but at least it will give you a very cheap way of learning and access to expensive equipment without wasting your own money. The first attempt at anything is gonna suck, so it's better to do it on someone else's dime. Plus, a lot of the parts and material are sponsored by companies in the industry, so it's a good way to get connections for a lot of free or discounted stuff. You might want to look into it.

Have you seen dust to glory? I wanted to buy a baja bug after seeing that film.

90 Weight · 08-06-07, 07:18 PM

nope havent seen the film....where was the community college?

bogus one · 08-06-07, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90 Weight

well since im a college student (19) and my brother is 10....

the idea is that we would slowly build and save up here and there and get it built while he is in Highschool....

My personal thought on it was that we would built it to racing specs.... and take our time, so that we can learn how to drive and then when we have the extra cash...throw in the performance parts that would allow us to race....but then again I dont know atall what im talking about so basically looking for guidance...

Buy a baja bug that has some minor mods to it, and hone your skills on that. Buy something that is already running and you can enjoy. If you start from scratch now, I'm afraid you'll lose interest/money, and have something sittin' in the garage that you can't do anything with.

Just my 2 cents

Kavik · 08-06-07, 10:13 PM

Might want to consider a prerunner. 2wd Toyota and Ford Rangers have the best aftermarket support. You can run the truck between modification sessions in the shop. Search the web...You will figure out what year of truck is best.

I would love to build a buggy too, but it's kinda an all or nothing deal. You won't be able to play until it's done.

With a prerunner, you can do a little at a time. And eventually(with a ton of time and money) it will go as fast and as hard as you want.

Try
Pirate 4x4
Race-dezert

Mace · 08-06-07, 10:21 PM

be a man and race the stock VW class..

Hugh Heifer · 08-06-07, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace

be a man and race the stock VW class..

Hell ya! Class 11 is where its at!!!!
I raced class 9s. They are the cheapest to build if you want a race approved car. 1600cc stock VW motor with swing axles and ball joint front end. You buy yourself a prefabbed and approved cage and then bold the rest on. There are some mods including the types of ball joint (based on material) and some very limited performance mods in the tranny and engine for strenth only. Then add lights, a parker pumper, a good radio and GPS, Beard Super seats and belts, a very little bit of sheet metal and a very expensive fuel cell and you are off to inspections!!!!

Even class 11 stock class can run pretty expensive. Get you a couple issues of Hot VWs Mag and you will see what I am talking about. They used to do one issue a year solely devoted to bajas.

I also built a pre-runner and the cage about put me in the poor house. I also learned that if I did it again I would go with king pin front end but that changes your class.

BLAH BLAH BLAH. I could go on and on. Worked on bugs from age 16

. I got out of it when I got a real job though. Sold all my Bug shit (hard stuff to coffee table books all gone) and started travelling for work, got married (that will do it). But I was told today that my wife is glad I have gotten my hobbies back in the form of the 40

90 Weight · 08-06-07, 11:09 PM

hugh...what do you think a ballpark figure would be to achieve what you mentioned in your post?? Is it going to be harder or easier to figure out than building the 40?

calstyl2 · 08-06-07, 11:49 PM

Truth be told you would be better off with a Prerunner, here in Socal they can be used in the desert washes and sand dunes plus the rough desert. And can be street legal.
A built set up is 10-50 grand and climbs quick, real quick

Fly Rod · 08-07-07, 12:06 AM

For your first baja buggy build a class 11 type car. It will give you a very good idea of what goes into building a good trail rig. A tube car will be $$. I have driven moderate $ to big $ class 2 cars and class 11 cars. Class 11 gives you 90% of the thrill at 10% of the budget. Plus you are more likely to be able to sell it when you are done for a reasonable amount.

"Pre runners" are great, and a dime a dozen, but you got to love a good bug, classic.

I have a very good book on building a baja bug. If I can find it I will let you know.

monniepoo · 08-07-07, 12:12 AM

Sand rail or sand buggy?

DSRTRDR · 08-07-07, 01:31 AM

if you are serious about VW desert racing, I would get in contact with "Tools R Us" on this board

Mace · 08-07-07, 09:40 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gdmpgzb8i0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7lqCsVzF_E

Like I said, be a man

You would not believe the respect you get from running the stock class in any off road race...

Besides, you would be into it what.. 3 bucks???

90 Weight · 08-07-07, 10:36 AM

ok..looks like class 11 is the way to go....

so anyone know of a good forum for something like that?

Mace · 08-07-07, 11:23 AM

Start here

http://forums.off-road.com/

08-06-07, 06:35 PM	#1
90 Weight IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Durango Colorado TLCA# 17115 Posts: 847	Info on buiding a Baja buggy Just started to look into building a Baja buggy with my brother...(we watched 2 roads to Baja together and now we are determined) Im wondering if any of you guys know of a good forum or website for that type of info.... I really dont know much about it and not really sure where to start. Any info would be appretiated Thanks Eli and Toby __________________ FOR SALE 1978 FJ40 ...Aqualu Alum tub, 35" MTR, TBI SBC 350, TH350, Painless, MT protection Buildup Thread: http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/110920-my-first-landcruiser-78-frame-off-resofication.html "Id take a FJ40, IH Scout, or an Early Bronco over a jeep any day"- some guy on a jeep forum!

08-06-07, 06:40 PM	#2
calstyl2 Deezz nutzz Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cherry Valley CA TLCA# 14149 Posts: 1,162 Blog Entries: 3	look for a VW baja bug, will be alot easier to starte with, we have some high dollar rigs here, like 50-250K for a good dune buggy __________________ No cruisers, Im here for the Chicks and Beer McColgan for Prez Originally Posted by pagemaster It shows how weak and underbuilt the 100 series is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvha8N3a28U Mud orientation video

08-06-07, 06:55 PM	#5
90 Weight IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Durango Colorado TLCA# 17115 Posts: 847	well since im a college student (19) and my brother is 10.... the idea is that we would slowly build and save up here and there and get it built while he is in Highschool.... My personal thought on it was that we would built it to racing specs.... and take our time, so that we can learn how to drive and then when we have the extra cash...throw in the performance parts that would allow us to race....but then again I dont know atall what im talking about so basically looking for guidance... __________________ FOR SALE 1978 FJ40 ...Aqualu Alum tub, 35" MTR, TBI SBC 350, TH350, Painless, MT protection Buildup Thread: http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=110920 "Id take a FJ40, IH Scout, or an Early Bronco over a jeep any day"- some guy on a jeep forum!

08-06-07, 07:18 PM	#7
90 Weight IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Durango Colorado TLCA# 17115 Posts: 847	nope havent seen the film....where was the community college? __________________ FOR SALE 1978 FJ40 ...Aqualu Alum tub, 35" MTR, TBI SBC 350, TH350, Painless, MT protection Buildup Thread: http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=110920 "Id take a FJ40, IH Scout, or an Early Bronco over a jeep any day"- some guy on a jeep forum!

08-06-07, 10:13 PM	#9
Kavik IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Phoenix Posts: 730	Might want to consider a prerunner. 2wd Toyota and Ford Rangers have the best aftermarket support. You can run the truck between modification sessions in the shop. Search the web...You will figure out what year of truck is best. I would love to build a buggy too, but it's kinda an all or nothing deal. You won't be able to play until it's done. With a prerunner, you can do a little at a time. And eventually(with a ton of time and money) it will go as fast and as hard as you want. Try Pirate 4x4 Race-dezert __________________ 85' FJ60 - 2F, desmog, 4-spd, 4.88's, Aussie rear, SOA, 37's on 2" bs Copper State Cruisers #71 KavikOffRoad.com 60 Series porn

08-06-07, 07:13 PM	#6
ducktapeguy IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jan 2003 TLCA# 16795 Posts: 384	The community college where I took my welding classes had a class on building a buggy. It don't know too much about it, but at least it will give you a very cheap way of learning and access to expensive equipment without wasting your own money. The first attempt at anything is gonna suck, so it's better to do it on someone else's dime. Plus, a lot of the parts and material are sponsored by companies in the industry, so it's a good way to get connections for a lot of free or discounted stuff. You might want to look into it. Have you seen dust to glory? I wanted to buy a baja bug after seeing that film.

08-06-07, 10:21 PM	#10
Mace what he said Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 11,207	be a man and race the stock VW class.. __________________ I am kinda gay....... My Myspace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=75712409 "Mary Poppins: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - SNAP - the job's a game."

08-06-07, 11:09 PM	#12
90 Weight IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Durango Colorado TLCA# 17115 Posts: 847	hugh...what do you think a ballpark figure would be to achieve what you mentioned in your post?? Is it going to be harder or easier to figure out than building the 40? __________________ FOR SALE 1978 FJ40 ...Aqualu Alum tub, 35" MTR, TBI SBC 350, TH350, Painless, MT protection Buildup Thread: http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=110920 "Id take a FJ40, IH Scout, or an Early Bronco over a jeep any day"- some guy on a jeep forum!

08-06-07, 11:49 PM	#13
calstyl2 Deezz nutzz Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cherry Valley CA TLCA# 14149 Posts: 1,162 Blog Entries: 3	Truth be told you would be better off with a Prerunner, here in Socal they can be used in the desert washes and sand dunes plus the rough desert. And can be street legal. A built set up is 10-50 grand and climbs quick, real quick __________________ No cruisers, Im here for the Chicks and Beer McColgan for Prez Originally Posted by pagemaster It shows how weak and underbuilt the 100 series is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvha8N3a28U Mud orientation video

08-07-07, 12:06 AM	#14
Fly Rod IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ashland, OR Posts: 1,229	For your first baja buggy build a class 11 type car. It will give you a very good idea of what goes into building a good trail rig. A tube car will be $$. I have driven moderate $ to big $ class 2 cars and class 11 cars. Class 11 gives you 90% of the thrill at 10% of the budget. Plus you are more likely to be able to sell it when you are done for a reasonable amount. "Pre runners" are great, and a dime a dozen, but you got to love a good bug, classic. I have a very good book on building a baja bug. If I can find it I will let you know. __________________ Fly Rod '95 FZJ80 with stuff. I have a double handed rod... Jefferson State Cruisers

08-07-07, 12:12 AM	#15
monniepoo IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: UPLAND TLCA# 18362 Posts: 247	Sand rail or sand buggy? __________________ MySpace

08-07-07, 01:31 AM	#16
DSRTRDR I can mangle anything... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: BTR, PHX, OMA TLCA# 14706 Posts: 1,955	if you are serious about VW desert racing, I would get in contact with "Tools R Us" on this board __________________ Claudia '72FJ40 with a no-number 2F, new MAF headers, 4spd, 33x10.5 BFG MT, 4" lift, roll cage, ARB lockers f/r, MAF disk brakes f/r, hand throttle, Painless wiring, dual advance dizzy, Bilsteins, 4+ front bumper/rear shackles/U-bolt flip, Kevin-improved frame, finally a functioning CB, with ChaseTruck yes, MANUAL steering Copper State Cruisers #40 www.desertrider.net

08-07-07, 09:40 AM	#17
Mace what he said Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 11,207	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gdmpgzb8i0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7lqCsVzF_E Like I said, be a man You would not believe the respect you get from running the stock class in any off road race... Besides, you would be into it what.. 3 bucks??? __________________ I am kinda gay....... My Myspace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=75712409 "Mary Poppins: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - SNAP - the job's a game."

08-07-07, 10:36 AM	#18
90 Weight IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Durango Colorado TLCA# 17115 Posts: 847	ok..looks like class 11 is the way to go.... so anyone know of a good forum for something like that? __________________ FOR SALE 1978 FJ40 ...Aqualu Alum tub, 35" MTR, TBI SBC 350, TH350, Painless, MT protection Buildup Thread: http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=110920 "Id take a FJ40, IH Scout, or an Early Bronco over a jeep any day"- some guy on a jeep forum!

08-07-07, 11:23 AM	#19
Mace what he said Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 11,207	Start here http://forums.off-road.com/ __________________ I am kinda gay....... My Myspace http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=75712409 "Mary Poppins: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and - SNAP - the job's a game."

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode