Buggy Builds and Lessons Learned

['84 Bronco II]

This may be a stupid thread, but it seems like a good idea while I am sitting here drinking a beer

We have plenty of threads with bench racing and web-wheeler arguing, but the intent of this thread is for people who actually have a finished Buggy/Juggy/Truggy they have seat time with to post their specs, where they wheel, what works well in their opinion, and what they would do differently. Hopefully this thread will help those in the planning and building phases of their projects achieve a better end product and gives them numbers to target.

Post a picture or three of your rig and the following information (or what you can):

Dimensions

• Wheelbase
• Outside tire width
• Chassis width at widest point
• Belly Height
• Weight (avoid posting guesses)
• COG height if you've measured it

Powertrain

• Engine (Is it modified?)
• Transmission (Valvebody type, TC stall and dia, etc. if automatic)
• Transfer Case
• Axles (Maybe steering components as well)
• Wheel/Tire Combo

Suspension

• Shock size, length, type, and quantity
• 3, 4, or 5 Link (or leaves if you're poor )
• Suspension travel if substantially different than shock length, and up/down travel split.
• 4 Link Calc numbers if you have them

Primary wheeling location/terrain or use?

Do you primarily use your buggy for technical, high-traction crawling, high speed/racing, hill-killing, etc.? Do you wheel in tight trees, muddy conditions, slick rock, boulder-strewn canyon bottoms, big ledges, etc.? Where do you typically wheel, or what's your favorite place?​

What works well?

It doesn't break? Rides like a cloud of titties? Very stable? Makes climbs that similar rigs struggle on? Excels in a particular terrain or type of obstacle? Hauls ass? Very maneuverable? ​

​

What would you do differently?

Needs more power or a different engine or drivetrain combo? Breaks parts? Too heavy? Rides like crap? Not enough steering speed, power, or angle? Wish you had different gearing, or a higher stall converter? Rolls over frequently? Wish you had rear steer?​

 

[gt1guy]

Might want to add how long the build took to complete. Or even how much the build cost. I'd think the answers might be enlightening.

 

['84 Bronco II]

Might want to add how long the build took to complete. Or even how much the build cost. I'd think the answers might be enlightening.

Not bad data points, but some might be embarrassed to post them I know I would be

 

[gt1guy]

Not bad data points, but some might be embarrassed to post them I know I would be

Embarrassed to answer means well over 100k. We can just assume it. Time to build shouldn't be a big deal.

The reason I mentioned those two data points was really for the folks thinking about starting a buggy build or hacking up the rig they have. It will take twice as long and cost twice as much as they think. All the little shit will cost as much as all the big parts combined.

 

[Cameronswmp9]

Dimensions
Wheelbase -104
Outside tire width - 77?
Chassis width at widest point - stock zuk +2" iirc
Belly Height - 24
Weight (avoid posting guesses) - no idea
COG height if you've measured it - no idea
Powertrain - Chevy 4.3
Engine (Is it modified?) - intake, exhaust, and tune to delete unneeded shit
Transmission (Valvebody type, TC stall and dia, etc. if automatic) - factory rebuild TH350 plus relevant updates
Transfer Case - toy to D300
Axles (Maybe steering components as well)
Wheel/Tire Combo cheap chromies 36 irok bias
Suspension radius arm air shock front, 4 link air shock rear
Shock size, length, type, and quantity - 16 fox airs
3, 4, or 5 Link (or leaves if you're poor )
Suspension travel if substantially different than shock length, and up/down travel split. Flexy but don't remember numbers
4 Link Calc numbers if you have them
Primary wheeling location/terrain or use?
Do you primarily use your buggy for technical, high-traction crawling, high speed/racing, hill-killing, etc.? Do you wheel in tight trees, muddy conditions, slick rock, boulder-strewn canyon bottoms, big ledges, etc.? Where do you typically wheel, or what's your favorite place? East coast trails was the focus

What works well?
It doesn't break? Rides like a cloud of titties? Very stable? Makes climbs that similar rigs struggle on? Excels in a particular terrain or type of obstacle? Hauls ass? Very maneuverable? Easy, on easy trails, never got to hard trails

What would you do differently? READ A FUCKTON MORE ABOUT THE WORK INVOLVED!!!!
Needs more power or a different engine or drivetrain combo? Breaks parts? Too heavy? Rides like crap? Not enough steering speed, power, or angle? Wish you had different gearing, or a higher stall converter? Rolls over frequently? Wish you had rear steer?

Rode great, climbed hills and VW sized rocks well. Only a few trips before sold, 2010ish. Sold for a variety of reasons.

Took way too long to build it, between cash flow and redoing things because they were above my head at the time.

 

[TimJus]

Dimensions

• Wheelbase 114"
• Outside tire width 81.5"
• Chassis width at widest point 59"
• Belly Height 19" flat with diffs

Powertrain

• Engine (Is it modified?) BBC Mark IV 461 cid . brodix heads. hydraulic roller cam. holley mpfi
• Transmission (Valvebody type, TC stall and dia, etc. if automatic) th400 with tci rmvb no engine braking. ~3k stall fully brazed diy modded converter
• Transfer Case divorced dodge np205 married
• Axles (Maybe steering components as well) mog 406/416 hybrids passenger drop front centered rear. single ended rams both have separate gear pumps/flow control valves
• Wheel/Tire Combo Modified h1 wheels to 17" /treps 42" sticky.

Suspension

• Shock size, length, type, and quantity 14" travel 2" saw air shocks + 2" bump stops all corner
• 3, 4, or 5 Link (or leaves if you're poor ) Polybushed with twistys 4 link
• Suspension travel if substantially different than shock length, and up/down travel split.
• 4 Link Calc numbers if you have them

Primary wheeling location/terrain or use?
Do you primarily use your buggy for technical, high-traction crawling, high speed/racing, hill-killing, etc.? Do you wheel in tight trees, muddy conditions, slick rock, boulder-strewn canyon bottoms, big ledges, etc.? Where do you typically wheel, or what's your favorite place?

all terrain wheeling
high-traction crawling
boulders
mud
forest
icy/snow wheeling

What works well?
It doesn't break? Rides like a cloud of titties? Very stable? Makes climbs that similar rigs struggle on? Excels in a particular terrain or type of obstacle? Hauls ass? Very maneuverable?

Very good in all types of riding. has power to hill kill and 4ws portals are killer in boulder fields.

What would you do differently?
Needs more power or a different engine or drivetrain combo? Breaks parts? Too heavy? Rides like crap? Not enough steering speed, power, or angle? Wish you had different gearing, or a higher stall converter? Rolls over frequently? Wish you had rear steer?

re make brake system,
i would like to melt willwood calibers in fire pit worst junk i ever bought.

FJ40 buggy goes portal

have this fj40 buggy bbc454,np205, th400,dan60,14bolt and 42" treps recently got stuck in the mud pool and engine took some mud water and destroyed oil pump and bearings. after taking engine out figured it was good time to upgrade it to 4 wheel steering 416 mogs started by cutting front...

irate4x4.com

 

[Wfoyota]

Dimensions

• Wheelbase - 118
• Outside tire width - dont know... 69" axles plus 43s
• Chassis width at widest point - 54" M&M Offroad chassis
• Belly Height - lower than cheech and chongs hooptie
• Weight (avoid posting guesses) - 4500ish
• COG - never measured

Powertrain

• Engine (Is it modified?) 400 hp 6.0 LS
• Transmission (Valvebody type, TC stall and dia, etc. if automatic) - th400 reverse valve with engine braking
• Transfer Case - race case 3.8
• Axles (Maybe steering components as well) - 40 spline old skool kingpin 14b front, 14b rear, both shaved
• Wheel/Tire Combo - 43 sx sticky and racelines

Suspension

• Shock size, length, type, and quantity - 14" 2.5 radflos front, 12" 2.5 radflos and 14" three tube big tube radflo bypasses rear on trailing arms
• Suspension travel if substantially different than shock length, and up/down travel split. - about half and half, 18" travel rear.

Primary wheeling location/terrain or use?
Southeast, mainly windrock, harlan, and aop. Rock gardens and fake go fast stuff

What works well?
Honestly, the whole buggy just works well but belly clearance hurts me sometimes. Rides great, crawls great, goes fast, and its cheaper and easier to get than sex.

What would you do differently?
Radiator is 16x26 and is not big enough for long beatdowns or long go fast uphill. Fixing to change that. Could use another inch or two of belly clearance because 17" sucks. Needs 3.0 internal bypasses on the front because im a dick (it actually doesnt need them but...). No engine braking in the trans would be a plus unless you have a reid case.

 

[JohnnyJ]

Dimensions

• Wheelbase - 108
• Outside tire width - 82 front, 80 rear
• Chassis width at widest point - 54" Goatbuilt JHF chassis
• Belly Height - 20" or so
• Weight (avoid posting guesses) - 3900#
• COG - never measured

Powertrain

• Engine (Is it modified?) 6.0 LQ4, 317 heads, Truck Norris cam
• Transmission (Valvebody type, TC stall and dia, etc. if automatic) - th400 reverse valve with engine braking, ~2500rpm stall
• Transfer Case - Atlas w/ 3.0 low
• Axles (Maybe steering components as well) - 5.38s
  • front: narrowed 2007 D60 front, later model factory shafts, JHF high steer, Sparty locker (~67.5" WMS)
  • rear: 14-bolt shaved, detroit (65.5" WMS)
• Wheel/Tire Combo - 39" reds on KMC machete

Suspension

• Shock size, length, type, and quantity - 14" 2.5 fox air shocks
• Suspension travel if substantially different than shock length, and up/down travel split. - 4-5" up travel

Primary wheeling location/terrain or use?
Rocks, anywhere (Montrose, Sand Hollow, Black Mountain, Harlan, AOAA, Local Michigan)

What works well?
Good crawler for a drag axle car.

What would you do differently?
Pretty happy with it. Have remote hydroboost almost ready to go in because I'm not 100% happy with manual brakes. Wouldn't mind rear stear, but not in love with the price tag. Didn't want a U4 car, so I'm ok with it not being a fast. The engine does nicely on climbs.

Build: Johnny's Goatbuilt JHF buggy build

 

[chaplinfj60]

Dimensions

• Wheelbase 116
• Outside tire width 82 -84
• Chassis width at widest point 56
• Belly Height 21
• Weight (avoid posting guesses)
• COG height if you've measured it

Powertrain

• Engine (Is it modified?) factory 5.3 from 2005 yukon 200,000 miles plus
• Transmission (Valvebody type, TC stall and dia, etc. if automatic) th350 factory rebuild
• Transfer Case 205/ w magnum
• Axles (Maybe steering components as well)front dana 60, upgrades now to 14 bolt rear, bent rear dana 60
• Wheel/Tire Combo 40 sxiii non sticky 40inch on sidetracked bead locks

Suspension

• Shock size, length, type, and quantity 14 FOA coil overs
• 3, 4, or 5 Link (or leaves if you're poor ) 4 link front rear
• Suspension travel if substantially different than shock length, and up/down travel split.
• 4 Link Calc numbers if you have them

Primary wheeling location/terrain or use?
mid west, muddy rock trails. hills,
What works well?
It doesn't break? Rides like a cloud of titties? Very stable? Makes climbs that similar rigs struggle on? Excels in a particular terrain or type of obstacle? Hauls ass? Very maneuverable?
stable yes, very..... love that about it. LS th350 with 205 and magnum creates suburb launches for about 50 feet violence of action.... . excellent crawler too.

What would you do differently?
Needs more power or a different engine or drivetrain combo? Breaks parts? Too heavy? Rides like crap? Not enough steering speed, power, or angle? Wish you had different gearing, or a higher stall converter? Rolls over frequently? Wish you had rear steer?

different, i would have started from scratch. instead of tearing down and rebuilding 3 times. i had my rig 4 linked and wheeled a couple times before i really got into this site, if i would have seen this site before i would have changed my build thought process, learned alot from here.

 

[Bebop]

Dimensions

• Wheelbase: 117"
• Outside tire width: 93"
• Chassis width at widest point: 57'
• Belly Height: 18"
• Weight (avoid posting guesses): Measured at 4450lbs will full tank of gas, no tools no spares

Powertrain

• Engine (Is it modified?): LM7 stock
• Transmission (Valvebody type, TC stall and dia, etc. if automatic) : TH400 with a 9" PTC converter. RMVB with engine braking. 4L80 internals.
• Transfer Case: Atlas 3.0
• Axles (Maybe steering components as well): 14 bolt Ft, 5.13 gears, MW spool, 40sp RCV big bells. Rear 14 bolt with Detroit and 300M shafts. Steering is a hodge-podge from Radial Dynamics, PSC, Howe and Eaton parts
• Wheel/Tire Combo: RT232 and 43" SXs

Suspension

• Shock size, length, type, and quantity, FT: 14x2.0 coilovers / 14x2.5 triple bypasses Radflo / RR: 14x2.0 coilovers / 16x2.5 triple bypasses Radflo
• 3, 4, or 5 Link (or leaves if you're poor )
• Suspension travel if substantially different than shock length, and up/down travel split. : Rear on Trailing arms, 12" up / 12" down
• 4 Link Calc numbers if you have them: Nope

Primary wheeling location/terrain or use?

Do you primarily use your buggy for technical, high-traction crawling, high speed/racing, hill-killing, etc.? Do you wheel in tight trees, muddy conditions, slick rock, boulder-strewn canyon bottoms, big ledges, etc.? Where do you typically wheel, or what's your favorite place?​

East Coast hill killing. Riding fast and covering lots of ground (20+ miles per day). Lots of rev limiter. Crawling is boring.​

What works well?

It doesn't break? Rides like a cloud of titties? Very stable? Makes climbs that similar rigs struggle on? Excels in a particular terrain or type of obstacle? Hauls ass? Very maneuverable? ​

It never breaks unless I run out of talent and clip a tree or bash it into a VW sized rock at speed. Crazy stable. Tuns really well for a big bitch with a drag axle. Goes way faster than what my skill-set can handle.​

Hates rock gardens, because of the 18" belly and my lack of driving talent. Also, crawling is fucking boring.​

Hydroboost brakes will send you through the windshield (can lock tires at 60mph on pavement no problem).​

​

What would you do differently?

Needs more power or a different engine or drivetrain combo? Breaks parts? Too heavy? Rides like crap? Not enough steering speed, power, or angle? Wish you had different gearing, or a higher stall converter? Rolls over frequently? Wish you had rear steer?​

​

- I want more power, but realistically have never been denied because of the lack of it. Neutral drops FTW​

- 43Sxs suck ass past 40/45mph (sidewall deflection is ridiculous, car is all over the place when turning) but since they work so well in all the other departments I make due.​

- Faster steering (because I like to go fast between trees and can't turn the wheel fast enough). Current is 2.5 turns lock to lock and it still feels too slow.​

- Rear steer would be nice but I elected against it in order to keep the car simple. Going to selectable lockers would be awesome.​

- Needs a stronger underbelly. Because of the low belly and driving style, I bash into stuff a lot. Thus it's bent now.​

- I'd like for it to be 500lbs lighter, especially in the unsprung mass department but don't have the budget to do so. Goal is very achievable with the right parts (609s, AL engine block, lighter shocks and links).​

- Driving style makes me fear for my own safety at some point. I'm going to reinforce the cage around the B-Pillar and maybe swap in a full containment seat.​

​

Sumbitch is currently well broken, hasn't moved in 9 months and budget isn't there to fix it. It's one thing to build a great car with good parts (which this is a great exemple of), but be aware that driving like a retard comes at a high price tag. Maintenance on these things isn't cheap and it takes a lot of time to fix.​

​

 

[dirtzuk]

Dimensions

• Wheelbase - 112"
• Outside tire width - 82"
• Chassis width at widest point - 56"
• Belly Height - 20"
• Weight (avoid posting guesses) - 3370lbs
• COG height if you've measured it

Powertrain

• Engine (Is it modified?) - Volvo T5 2.3 with custom tune and more boost
• 
  
• Transmission (Valvebody type, TC stall and dia, etc. if automatic) - Ax15/r151 hybrid
• Transfer Case - Atlas 4.3
• Axles - H1 portals TG housings 4.30 toy 8" hp arb front and 8" e/air locker rear
• Wheel/Tire Combo - 40" sticky treps dirty life roadkill beadlocks

Suspension

• Shock size, length, type, and quantity - 16" Ori struts
• 3, 4, or 5 Link - 4 links fr/r
• Suspension travel if substantially different than shock length, and up/down travel split.
• 4 Link Calc numbers if you have them

Primary wheeling location/terrain or use?
West coast canada wheeling, everything from technical crawling to high speed/rpm hill climbs

What works well?
So far it works extremely well I just need more seat time to learn the rig .. Fresh build this year and my first rear steer buggy
What would you do differently?
I feel it needs 42's.. Its on the belly more than id like compared to my last buggy at 102 wb. Also id like to add some sort of rear steer lock out as i dont trust it fully while im blasting logging roads between trails

 

[white-rhino]

This may be a stupid thread, but it seems like a good idea while I am sitting here drinking a beer

We have plenty of threads with bench racing and web-wheeler arguing, but the intent of this thread is for people who actually have a finished Buggy/Juggy/Truggy they have seat time with to post their specs, where they wheel, what works well in their opinion, and what they would do differently. Hopefully this thread will help those in the planning and building phases of their projects achieve a better end product and gives them numbers to target.

Post a picture or three of your rig and the following information (or what you can):

Dimensions

• Wheelbase 114"
• Outside tire width 88" front, 85" rear (4" backspace wheels) (2" narrower with other set of wheels)
• Chassis width at widest point 57"
• Belly Height 21"
• Weight (avoid posting guesses) 4822 (no tools, 1/2 tank gas, no fatass in driver seat)
• COG height if you've measured it n/a

Powertrain

• Engine (Is it modified?)

• 6.0 LQ9 with Brian Tooly cam & springs. HP 400-425 by catalog guess
• Transmission (Valvebody type, TC stall and dia, etc. if automatic) TH350, RMVB, 1800 stall
• Transfer Case 203/205
• Axles (Maybe steering components as well) Front Chevy Kingpin, J76 center, 5.13, Detroit
  

  • , Yukon Lockouts front, Overson joints, full hydro - Rear 14B 5.13, ARB & cutting brakes. Alloy Shafts F/R.

• Wheel/Tire Combo 43 SX stickies on 17" Raceline beadlocks 4" backspacing and 42 Reds on 20" Raceline beadlocks 5" backspacing.

Suspension

• Shock size, length, type, and quantity 16 x 2" FOA coilovers. 1 each corner
• 3, 4, or 5 Link (or leaves if you're poor ) 4 linkF/R
• Suspension travel if substantially different than shock length, and up/down travel split. Roughly 4" up travel. Set low for crawling.
• 4 Link Calc numbers if you have them n/a

Primary wheeling location/terrain or use?

Do you primarily use your buggy for technical, high-traction crawling, high speed/racing, hill-killing, etc.? Do you wheel in tight trees, muddy conditions, slick rock, boulder-strewn canyon bottoms, big ledges, etc.? Where do you typically wheel, or what's your favorite place?​

Combo of rock crawling, dirt washout twisting and some hill killing. No high speed stuff. Tight trees, yes. Try to avoid mud. Have traveled around to much of the country and try to get out of state 3-4 times per year. Favorite? Sand Hollow is up there but love it all.

What works well?

It doesn't break? Rides like a cloud of titties? Very stable? Makes climbs that similar rigs struggle on? Excels in a particular terrain or type of obstacle? Hauls ass? Very maneuverable? ​

Mostly doesn't break. LOL But shit happens. Crawls and flexes really well. Not great at speeds due to small up travel and possibly FOA shocks. VERY stable crawling. Is a damn good hill killer with the SX's but not rock bouncer style. Plenty of power and acceleration. Love the rear ARB with cutting brakes.

​

What would you do differently?

Needs more power or a different engine or drivetrain combo? Breaks parts? Too heavy? Rides like crap? Not enough steering speed, power, or angle? Wish you had different gearing, or a higher stall converter? Rolls over frequently? Wish you had rear steer?​

Drivetrain is pretty bulletproof but I'd love a 4 speed Atlas that would get me a lower crawl ratio. I've broken a couple axle shafts. Rear has been upgraded to Yukon. Front, 3 are Yukon and one is a Branik 300M. As I break them I will continue to go to Branik. I would like to have it ride better at speed but don't intend to spend the money to upgrade and change shocks/ springs. Steering is good. (PSC pump with Redneck ram) Yes it's on the heavy side and I think I would like it closer to 112" WB. Brakes suck - looking at Iboost. Might be better with a 2200 stall. Rollovers? lots of flops but only rolled it once. Rear steer has been discussed but I can't justify it and enjoy it the way it is.