Info on buiding a Baja buggy

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90 Weight

90 Weight

Joined
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Santa Monica, CA
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www.elirubelphotography.com
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
 
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
 
calstyl2 said:
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
Click to expand...

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
 
90 Weight said:
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
Click to expand...


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?
 
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...
 
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 said:
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...
Click to expand...


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
 
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
 
be a man and race the stock VW class..
 
Mace said:
be a man and race the stock VW class..
Click to expand...
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:cheers:. I got out of it when I got a real job though. Sold all my Bug s*** (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:cheers:
 
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
 
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.
 
if you are serious about VW desert racing, I would get in contact with "Tools R Us" on this board
 
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