Buggy dorks inc.

[Chancegoodman]

Alright so a buddy and I have a mid engine swing axle high jumper chassis (I think?) laying around that I have been wanting to jump into.
Current plan is to redo the back and convert it to its and rear engine
Open to any questions comments or concerns because as per usual I have no clue what I’m doing and will ethier work right or spontaneous combust so please enjoy all my fuck ups

 

[Thefuntruck]

I too enjoy projects that take a lot of work and could easily be avoided.

I applaud your wherewithal to take on the challenge. Only thing I would point out is basic rail frames are fairly cheap and easy to come by in more of a desert layout.

That being said, it’s fun to take something and make it your own.

If your goals is desert car, you will need to do a lot of strengthening. Those sand cars do not take the abuse ocotillo and JV deliver.

 

[Chancegoodman]

I too enjoy projects that take a lot of work and could easily be avoided.

I applaud your wherewithal to take on the challenge. Only thing I would point out is basic rail frames are fairly cheap and easy to come by in more of a desert layout.

That being said, it’s fun to take something and make it your own.

If your goals is desert car, you will need to do a lot of strengthening. Those sand cars do not take the abuse ocotillo and JV deliver.

im well aware that we could get a irs chassis for cheap and go from there but im always up for the challenge of trying something

 

[Thefuntruck]

Right on man. I love the idea of keeping something in the desert. Nowadays with the price of vw’s you can put a ecotec or something like that for cheaper. What kind of drivetrain you going to do?

 

[Chancegoodman]

Right on man. I love the idea of keeping something in the desert. Nowadays with the price of vw’s you can put a ecotec or something like that for cheaper. What kind of drivetrain you going to do?

at the moment we have a type one trans and a 1600 block to use along with having a pair of 3x3 arms the goal will be to keep the car as simple and functional as possible

 

[JACKSONRALLYINC]

I have been wanting to get into an old school Sand Buggy. My brother and I grew up going to Glamis and my dad had a Hi-Jumper mid engine. I do not know much about the exact spec on the chassis but it was mid engine, had chrome coilovers on the rear, no shock what so ever on the front. I do recall one trip on hard pack and it bent the bar that tied both rear coilovers together. In the sand all was well.

Here is one of the few shots I have of it, I think that is my little brother playing race car driver in it.

 

[Chancegoodman]

I have been wanting to get into an old school Sand Buggy. My brother and I grew up going to Glamis and my dad had a Hi-Jumper mid engine. I do not know much about the exact spec on the chassis but it was mid engine, had chrome coilovers on the rear, no shock what so ever on the front. I do recall one trip on hard pack and it bent the bar that tied both rear coilovers together. In the sand all was well.

Here is one of the few shots I have of it, I think that is my little brother playing race car driver in it.

View attachment 20452

That’s a rad little buggy but we’re going to try and beef it up and make it be able to take the abuse of hard pack so that’s one reason for converting the rear to irs

 

[Tree trunk]

Are you still working on this buggy?

 

[Chancegoodman]

It’s still sitting as it was I’ve been too busy with other projects

 

[Tree trunk]

Copy, a buddy of mine did a very similar build. I’ll have him send me some pictures.

Same deal bought an old chassis and re slung some tube to get it stout enough for the desert. Soooo much fun
It’s the buggy in the middle

 

[Chancegoodman]

Copy, a buddy of mine did a very similar build. I’ll have him send me some pictures.

Same deal bought an old chassis and re slung some tube to get it stout enough for the desert. Soooo much fun View attachment 38827
It’s the buggy in the middle

Hell yeah send some pictures over

 

[Crusty]

Old School Mid-Engine cars are soo badass...

They can have IRS, look up Mazzone 4 Link set ups....don't convert that to a rear engine.

 

[Tree trunk]

He doesn’t have too many of the build portion, it was quite a few years back lol

But he pretty much cut the top portion of the cage, (A and B pillar) as well as the engine cage and built them a bit stronger to bash around in the dirt.

stock length type 1 rear arms, but he plated them up,
I believe a stock type 1 IRS trans
Stock link pin front end
All torsion

Maybe some day he will join up on here and could give a more detailed build.

 

[Chancegoodman]

Yeah my buddy has a set of 3x3 to use with it but rn him or I don’t have the time to do it but someday we’ll get to it

 

[bullnerd]

Very cool! Now do that Manx!

 

[TJrunner]

Excited to see how this build pans out. I picked up a free 4 seat chassis from a co worker that I plan on slowly tinkering on with my sons. I have way to many projects , what I’ve learned so far is that I want a irs rear and not a swing axel

 

[Tree trunk]

True on the irs vs swing bit, but you guys can still have fun in a swing
I’m sure your boys will love it though, lots of good memories to be made.

 

[Chancegoodman]

The converting to irs isn’t that hard from swing axel I just need to take the time to make a jig