Buggy Guide Help

[boyerm2]

I'm interested in getting into mini buggies. I have always rode motorcycles and owned a VW sandrail in the past. I'm now in the mode of learning as much as possible about what is out there and advantages/disadvantages of each. I have found so far Pilots, Redline Rovlt's and Drakart Tornado. Are there others in that class? Is there a site or forum that gives a 101 or buyer's guide on such buggies. I"m interested in what options each have, engines, transmissions, corresponding horsepower, top speeds, suspension, etc. It seems there is a big range of engines and horsepowers (74HP Revolt to 190 HP Tornado). How have these machines evolved? Are the older models comparable to new models or has the design remained fairly similar? What can you expect to spend on such models? Revolts seem 1/2 the price of Tornados although they seem faily similar. Is the Haybusa 1300 standard on the Tornado. As you can see I have a lot of questions. Any information you can give would be great. Thanks

[Thomasl]

Hello My name is Tom. I just joined last month so im fairly new too I also joined looking for info and help. I found nice buggies on edge.au.com. Then came to this site for info I'm just started building a piranha. But it has been redesign. you should look up the website and if you like talk to RickS. on this site he is the piranha man. HE has a thread of his latest version called. Piranha double a front module. You should take a look he also has a thread for his rc51 piranha.

[yoshi]

pretty much all the answers to the questions you asked are in this forum, just start doing dome digging around in the project sections and other similar areas....

It also helps if you say how much your budget is so we can kinda point you in the right direction as to what you should look into getting.....

[nutz4sand]

I just posted this in another thread but what the hey. heres some food for the eyes. Read till they bleed! lol

Sinister Sand Sports - Sand Rails and Buggy's HOME
Yoshis site and creations.

Welcome to Rorty Design
LOTTA good reading there and many many pics to feed the mind. Many plan sets to if you see one you like.

ProtoDie 3D Tool & Die Design Services Michigan
Nice buggies and makes custom parts.

Buggyinnovations Mini buggy plans parts and kit sets
More minis. to look at with plans.

xtc-motorsports.com
Other minis. The first ones suspensions were not long travel.

Trophy Kart
mini trucks for the most part.

Backhoe Plans: Build a backhoe, these plans show how.
Minibuggie plans that look like a great first buggie and lotsa other plans. Look at them all!!

http://www.cmooreoffroad.com/
Just minis.

RCV PERFORMANCE - CUSTOM HIGH STRENGTH CV JOINTS AND AXLES - DRIVELINE SOLUTIONS - HIGH ANGLE CV JOINTS
custom drive stuff for minis and others....

Short Sand Cars
More minis


Tube Bending Machinery, Pipe Benders, Tubing Notchers, Bead Rollers
Benders. They make some hydraulic hand powerunits that are prety cost effective for the home builder. Many times I wish I had gotten one of them. If my PT 105 dies would fit it I still might. (but they don't so I won't!) They sit on the floor. Do not take up much room and can be taken with you easy.

JD Squared, Inc.
Another popular bender.

Tube_Bender
Homemade bender wthat uses dies form the above units its built to.

Williams Lowbuck Tools Tubing and Pipe Notcher
Good tools many like for tube work.

ProBender.Com Tel:763.315.5019
another bender.


Yellow Dog Racing
Dang good reading (funny stuff too.) This is K-fabs site. Totally rocks.

Mini Rail Plans Go Kart Parts & Off-road Go Karts
Panther plans are pretty good and make a great buggy. He also sells a buncha parts. Look around all of it as well.

Tube Coping Calculator
If you get into notching this will be good stuff you have on hand.

prosandminirailframes
Girard Fab makes some good frames "if" you wanna go that route. Also other stuff. Good to look at to see if you like the layouts. Also sells plans to his frames.

http://www.jeffcotransmissions.com/
Nice FNR's if you got the loot.

RPM Gearboxes
More gearboxes with a good rep

Sand Rocket - The Ultimate V8 Sandrail - Welcome to SandRocket.com
Not mini rails but why could a mini not be done this way? Still neat.

Metalworking Tools - Metal Fabricating Equipment at Van Sant Enterprises' Trick Tools.com
Metal working tools

Badland Buggy - Off Road Vehicles - Download Buggy Plans
Buggys plans and ideas to look at.

Desert Dog off-road - Bombardier dealer, Quad and Utility Sport Quad sales, Sea-Doo
Something to look at.

Rage Motorsport | Buggies | road and off road buggy

Pro Sandbox Mini Dune Buggy Blueprints

Sandbullet | Sandrails For Sale

BuggyLinks:

Temporarily Disabled
bigger cars but maybe you like the look of them?

Gear One - Serious Racing Products
Custom drivetrain and other parts.


The ultimate dune buggy resource - SandRazor.com
Crapload of good links there.

index

High Angle Drivline-Call Jesse at 530-877-2875
long travel U-joint shafts

http://www.git.com.au/~theedge/Barracuda.htm
Somewhat interesting buggies. Look at them all.

KANOFFROAD Model RS
Simpler buggies but something to look at.

OFN Forums
Notching tube with a chopsaw.

OFN Forums
Good safety info

OFN Forums
Some welding info

Fab 101 - Tube Notching- Compliments of DIRTsports Magazine - Trucks 4x4 @ Off-Road.com
More tube notching whatnot.

http://thekneeslider.com/motorcycle-powered-cars/
not minibuggies so much but neat stuff

Building your dune buggy. Custom building instructions for you!
Just something to look at and a frame on a jig table

[Deranged]

GREAT LINKS!!! This should be a sticky..

[K-fab]

Now why would anyone go and add that goofy Yellow Dog Racing in there???

Hey boyerm2, welcome to the site. Wanna buy a Stadium Lite? I have two for sale...

[TutTech]

Hey can't I get no luvin?? ha ha.

Great links and you can check out the sticky of more of them here.

LINKS TO RAIL BUILDERS AND PART SUPPLIERS

[nutz4sand]

Sorry Tut I have added you that to the list I have above. I had somehow missed the other page with all those inks. DaaaayyyUM.

I seriously did not know it existed! Thanx!