General Tech Building a light recreational trail buggy

[Greg]

(Split from the Rear Steer Axle build thread)

Also I want more details on this. What wheels are turning in that dome of yours?

Probably that he followed buggies around all weekend and now wants one. 🤷

I want something light weight, that I can actually see out of, that's not crazy loud and annoying on the trail.

Ecotec 2.0T, 700R4, Atlas 5.0, ORI's, SD60 front and something in the rear with steering.

Chassis around 48" wide, with enough room inside for a 6' 4" guy and around a 106-108" WB. 40" tires, maybe 42's if I can afford them.

 

[TRD270]

I want something light weight, that I can actually see out of, that's not crazy loud and annoying on the trail.

2.0T, 700R4, Atlas 5.0, ORI's, SD60 front and something in the rear with steering.

Chassis around 48" wide, with enough room inside for a 6' 4" guy and around a 106-108" WB. 40" tires, maybe 42's if I can afford them.

Mad Cow has his buggy for sale 😬

@Hickey Says I can help you with a down payment on the Goat

 

[Greg]

Mad Cow has his buggy for sale 😬
View attachment 166239
@Hickey Says I can help you with a down payment on the Goat

Can't afford that for sure! The Goat will stick around and continue to get upgraded and repaired, if I even start a buggy build it would be a long term project. I want to keep the TJ in the meantime, so I'm not without a rig for the hard trails.

The Goat works good for 90% of the wheelin I'll do.

 

[TRD270]

Can't afford that for sure! The Goat will stick around and continue to get upgraded and repaired, if I even start a buggy build it would be a long term project. I want to keep the TJ in the meantime, so I'm not without a rig for the hard trails.

The Goat works good for 90% of the wheelin I'll do.

I can’t afford it either even with the family discount 😂😂

 

[Greg]

Probably that he followed buggies around all weekend and now wants one. 🤷

I've been considering a buggy for awhile, the Goat is fun but at the end of the day it's still very much a Jeep with its own limitations, as you saw.

 

[Gravy]

I dig a quiet rig rock crawling. A nice muffler setup might kill a few HPs but it makes the whole spotting thing so much nicer 😉

 

[N-Smooth]

I dig a quiet rig rock crawling. A nice muffler setup might kill a few HPs but it makes the whole spotting thing so much nicer 😉

Preeeeach

 

[Greg]

I dig a quiet rig rock crawling. A nice muffler setup might kill a few HPs but it makes the whole spotting thing so much nicer 😉

The Goat is as quiet as it's going to get, believe me I've tried... I have a lot of $$$ tied up in mufflers I couldn't fit, or were too loud. It's still loud as hell.

 

[kmboren]

Preeeeach

Shut your mouth.

 

[N-Smooth]

Shut your mouth.

I wasn’t really talking about your buggy but now that you bring it up… it is way too loud 🤣

 

[kmboren]

I wasn’t really talking about your buggy but now that you bring it up… it is way too loud 🤣

There really isn't much room to do anything quieter. I wouldn't mind it but I am also fine going def while driving it. It sure sounds good though. 👍

 

[_Auzzy_]

Power likes to talk, its bold and proud 🤘

 

[Greg]

Power likes to talk, its bold and proud 🤘

And a problem when you can't hear your spotter... 😬

 

[_Auzzy_]

And a problem when you can't hear your spotter... 😬

blue tooth headsets 👌

 

[Agility Customs]

Mad Cow has his buggy for sale 😬
View attachment 166239
@Hickey Says I can help you with a down payment on the Goat

There are alot better moonbuggies for sale currently for the same price as madcows. If someone is in the market I can hook you up with the right people to get a good car without overpaying.

 

[Greg]

Split the Rear Steer discussion to this idea and talk...

 

[_Auzzy_]

this is also the theme of my new build, i want light, capable, easily sourced parts, and yes QUIET! well quiet as a V8 can be without huge performance loss. if not there is still headsets and tunes. chassis ideally will be close to what you've stated but I'm going to push 120" WB. my last rig felt great on steep climbs with that wheel base and having the rear steer made easy work of maneuvering in tight places. what belly height ya thinking? i plan 24" for mine. the mango was 28" and it was kinda sail boat feeling but there were a few other factors on that subject but belly height would have helped feel more secure if it was lower

 

[Agility Customs]

this is also the theme of my new build, i want light, capable, easily sourced parts, and yes QUIET! well quiet as a V8 can be without huge performance loss. if not there is still headsets and tunes. chassis ideally will be close to what you've stated but I'm going to push 120" WB. my last rig felt great on steep climbs with that wheel base and having the rear steer made easy work of maneuvering in tight places. what belly height ya thinking? i plan 24" for mine. the mango was 28" and it was kinda sail boat feeling but there were a few other factors on that subject but belly height would have helped feel more secure if it was lower

IMO a small light weight car should have 104-108ish wheelbase with a 18-20" belly height. I have never not made it up something cause my wheelbase was to short.

 

[Greg]

this is also the theme of my new build, i want light, capable, easily sourced parts, and yes QUIET! well quiet as a V8 can be without huge performance loss. if not there is still headsets and tunes. chassis ideally will be close to what you've stated but I'm going to push 120" WB. my last rig felt great on steep climbs with that wheel base and having the rear steer made easy work of maneuvering in tight places. what belly height ya thinking? i plan 24" for mine. the mango was 28" and it was kinda sail boat feeling but there were a few other factors on that subject but belly height would have helped feel more secure if it was lower

I would build something for my local trails, stuff like 21 Road, Billings Canyon, Montrose and of course, the hard Moab trails including Area BFE. Sand Hollow is super fun and technical, but 6 hours from me.

I would probably shoot for a belly height around 20", not super low but also not tall. With most of my local trails being boulder canyons and short ledges, keeping the wheelbase a bit short and belly height average would be best IMO.

 

[_Auzzy_]

IMO a small light weight car should have 104-108ish wheelbase with a 18-20" belly height. I have never not made it up something cause my wheelbase was to short.

I would build something for my local trails, stuff like 21 Road, Billings Canyon, Montrose and of course, the hard Moab trails including Area BFE. Sand Hollow is super fun and technical, but 6 hours from me.

I would probably shoot for a belly height around 20", not super low but also not tall. With most of my local trails being boulder canyons and short ledges, keeping the wheelbase a bit short and belly height average would be best IMO.

both fair points! Around our area is kind of the same as Greg but being closer to Moab and Sand hollow makes me want a slightly longer wheelbase and a well balanced drivetrain/gear weight in the rig.