Desert buggy idea

[Greg]

So I've had this idea kicking around, thought I'd jot it down here and share it with all you lucky folks.

I think it would be neat to build something (not sure what to call it!) like a desert buggy, for exploring the open desert out here in Western CO. Bigger than a side by side, cooler than an old school VW buggy. 2 seats and room for the dog and a cooler. Here's my idea...

-Independent front suspension with long A-arms, rear trailing arm suspension, air shocks on all 4 corners.

-Corvair 6 cyl engine (air cooled!), with a turbo, burning propane. Should be good for 180-200 hp! :greg:

-33x10.5x15 Mud tires all the way around.

-Perhaps a winch in the front, for when things get too crazy.


I think something like that would be a blast to burn around in the desert with. The gears in my head have been turning, trying to figure out how to do something like this.

 

[Tacoma]

You just put that keyboard down and get some air, you.

.. but that would be really cool.

 

[Stephen]

Corvair, mmmmm....
Very cool idea.

 

[Hunt]

There are a ton of older Corvair powered sand rails all over Craigslist. Pick your poison. They are already independent rear. Most are running a beam front but a long A-arm would not be hard to fab into most of the chassis. Something to look into and get the creative juices flowing.

 

[SAMI]

I'd run 2" receivers front/rear, and mount a inboard 2" receiver out of the way to store a winch in a portable tray.. That way you have more options for recovery.

I can see it now, a buggy similar to the Wide Open buggies, with roofrack for extra storage.. Do it!

 

[ricsrx]

buggy

Ya me too, growing up in Price my first passion is tooling around in the dessert:


Some day i will finish

And then some day I will finish this one

 

[Hickey]

Lots of VW type rails on KSL all day long. Cheap. That's probably what I should buy, since I'll never go rock crawling again.

 

[1\4elliptic toy]

Lots of VW type rails on KSL all day long. Cheap. That's probably what I should buy, since I'll never go rock crawling again.

Wait, who are you again? Its been along time Jeremy...

Funny you post this Greg, Olly and I have been talking about building a similar sand dune project.

 

[Hickey]

Nobody important or relevant.

 

[Gravy]

I have a running 76 vw bug pan with a 1600cc motor we call the death sled. Id love to make it into a sandrail or mountain buggy

 

[phatfoto]

Good start for you right here Stratton! http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=14475851&cat=651&lpid=1&search=

 

[Rot Box]

-Corvair 6 cyl engine (air cooled!), with a turbo, burning propane. Should be good for 180-200 hp! :greg:

To me just watching the fan belt alone on a turbo Corvair would be more entertaining than actually building and driving such a thing

 

[bryce]

I am not a big fan of the VW power plant or Covair. I dont know what the open desert in Colorado is like, if it is any thing like open desert in Ut then I wouldn't be caught dead with a VW powerplant. Actually i would probably be found dead and rotting.
I blew three VW engines in as many years. I installed a subaru engine and I have started my fourth season with that engine, no problems. I found that the VW suspension rides great for cruising down a dirt road. My VW based buggy goes wherever I point it and hasn't been stuck yet.
No matter what you build, dont forget to tell someone where you are going and when they should expect you to return.

 

[bryce]

One more quick thought. I go sand duning with guys that run VW. For the last three years, serveral trips a year, I drive my buggy onto the trailer while my buddies push thier buggies onto the trailer.

 

[Herzog]

My first off-road experiences that I can remember started in sand rails. I remember having blocks taped to my feet (or was it the pedals?) so I could drive on the dunes. Good memories.

I've always had the urge to get back into one but I just can't justify another hobby like that yet. Man they are fun... and safe enough to let a youngster drive (at least that's what my parents though! )

 

[Herzog]

Ya me too, growing up in Price my first passion is tooling around in the dessert:

We have a lot in common.

 

[Anchor_Mtn]

I would choose a more modern drivetrain than a corvair motor. Something like a 98+ 3800 supercharged motor/trans.

 

[iamsparticus]

i second the subaru engine idea they are powerful, reliable and well built

 

[ricsrx]

The first pic i posted of the yellow buggy is all subaru legacy motor and awd drive train. should be a blast on the dirt roads