Hey All
Awesome topic Maddog.
Last year when we built our buggy we set out to make the ultimate competition single seat buggy. What that is who knows???. We broke away from traditional designs and went with what we thought was best. How we came to this conclusion was based on what we had seen and experienced at all the Ozy events plus talking to our friends who compete in the US and learning from their experiences.
For starters budget will be your biggest factor in building any buggy. Do your budget and then expect to double it. I can assure you building a buggy is not cheap if you want to do it right and particularly if you want to be in the winning circles. Our buggy was not cheap however we feel that we spent our money in the right areas which will pay in the long run.
Little things add up quickly simple things like quality bolts/nuts, rodends, reliable electricals, diff & chassis brakets (especially if lazer cut), welding & cutting consumables, reserviors, paint, brake lines, Hydraulic line etc
Things we learnt:
- Expect to pay for quality
- Dana 60s & CTMs are the bomb, if you can afford it get them !!!
- Centre of gravity & roll centre is everything,
- 15k 350 chevs are great but not necessary,
- You will never regret buying an Atlas, they are basically a must especially if no rear-steer,
- 20in rims are actually worth it especially when combined with Stauns, the low profile tyres stops the tyres from creeping or rolling under the rim,
- A quality auto is paramount and a big catch can will stop fires!!,
- Front mounts climb and drop off easier than rear mounts,
- Rear steer costs and is not essential but adds another dynamic to your rig,
- Hyrdo pully size does matter,
- Tyres size & brand does matter so check out what everyone is running,
- Expect to be suprised at the forces involved in rockcrawling especially when it comes time to consider what to make your control arms and chassis out of, yes chromoly arms can bend!!!
- Lead in your tyres does make a difference but you better have a dam strong driveline to handle it,
- If you are going to compete if you dont have a good spotter it doesnt matter how good your buggy is.
These are my thoughts and I am happy to eloborate if you want.
For those interested an ABT buggy chassis will range from $4500-$8500. $8,500 will give you a complete chassis with lazer cut brakets, Allum firewall, mounts ie steering & driveline, lexen panels, paint and diff brakets etc
Anyway Maddog no matter which way you go you are gonna luv getting out there and having a go!!!
Cheers Sean
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Aussie Boy Toys Pty Ltd - Hardcore 4wd products
Last edited by McZook; 30-04-2006 at 11:06 PM.
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