Build a Dune Buggy
Revision as of 16:39, 15 January 2017 by Kipkis (Kipkis | contribs) (importing article from wikihow)
Many people build a dune buggy by modifying an old Volkswagen Beetle—it's simple, reliable, and generally inexpensive. This retro-style dune buggy is also easier to find parts for and is an ideal project for beginners. Learn how to build a dune buggy by utilizing the older style Type 1 VW Bug body style.
Contents
Steps
Build It From Scratch
- Acquire a Type 1 Volkswagen Beetle. Newer styles don't work as well as the Type 1. Type 1 VW Beetles are the models from the 1970s and can commonly be found in Arizona and Texas because VW production was transferred to Mexico during that time.
- Acquire your replacement parts. These may include a megaphone exhaust, tires, shock absorbers, and springs.
- A good source for parts is eBay Motors, as well as dune buggy specialty stores such as AppleTreeAuto.com or Chirco.com.
- Place your VW on jack stands. To avoid serious injury or worse, make sure the vehicle is secure before crawling around underneath it. It's more fun for you to be inside the car, rather than the car being inside you.
- Strip down your VW Beetle. Strip it down till it contains only the bare essentials: the frame, engine, suspension, steering wheel, tires, brakes, and some type of seat. Everything else is unnecessary and can be stripped away. Use the leftover parts to make scrap metal sculptures, or sell the parts on eBay.
- Remove the fenders, bumpers, and trunk lid. Remember that the trunk of a VW Beetle is in the front and the engine is in the back.
- Replace the tires, wheels, suspension, and exhaust. Since your vehicle is older, these components are likely to be in poor shape. Remove the wheels and tires since you will be replacing the tires and reusing the wheels if they still are in decent shape. Make sure to keep the lug nuts from the wheels.
- Replace the suspension components, such as the shock absorbers and springs. Obtain taller springs so that your dune buggy will sit higher off the ground.
- Remove the exhaust pipe with a reciprocating saw. Make your cut 5 inches (13 cm) from the header flange. Install the megaphone exhaust at a 45-degree angle, thoroughly reading the manufacturer's instructions.
- Install your new tires onto the factory wheels, and attach to the VW by tightening the lug nuts. Remove your dune buggy from the jack stand.
- Paint the frame, and add any desired extras to your DIY dune buggy. If you prefer to modify the engine, the Chevrolet Corvair engine is a popular upgrade choice. This allows you to upgrade to 6 cylinders and creates the possibility of achieving up to 80 horsepower (130 kW).
Build it From A Kit
- Visit Google.com. There are dune buggy kits available for all tastes, levels of experience, and pocketbooks.
- For example, a company such as Berrien Buggy (www.berrienbuggy.com) has various body styles, frames, etc. so that you can build a custom buggy using pre-built parts.
- Another option is a completely pre-designed kit—all you do is the assembly. A company such as Myers Manx (www.meyersmanx.com) is a good example of this type of kit.
- Purchase plans. If you want to build from scratch, but don't want to design it all yourself, purchase a set of plans. They're normally about $25 to $35 USD (as of 2012). You source the parts and components yourself, so there is potential savings in finding the best price for each individual item.
- Amazon is a good source for plans.
- Most dune buggy sites have community forums. Spend some time seeing what people are talking about—you can glean a lot of good information by seeing what people like, and what they don't like about any given company or product.
Tips
- Upgraded engines can be used if you don't like the factory VW engine. However, the Type 1 VW engine makes a great starting point for beginners.
- For best results, strip down your Type 1 VW Bug as much as possible so that it contains only the essentials. This makes for less clutter and less weight so that your VW dune buggy can go faster.
Warnings
- Similarly, older disk brakes will have asbestos dust, and must not be breathed. Wear an asbestos rebreather when working on brakes, and keep children away from the construction area.
- If you are unfamiliar with spring removal and replacement, have a professional do this as working with springs can be dangerous.
