Ok, here is my story. I don't do any 4x4 stuff since the hobby is too expensive for me since I already do the desert scene. I want some sort of buggy/truggy for the family, but I HATE VW style buggies (butTrying to keep it under $5000 too). they are too low to the ground, and I hate the swing axle crap. plus the front suspension usually sucks(And I hate having different size tires). Plus when I sit in a VW, my legs are almost straight out and I like to be higher than the pedals(It just feels more comfortable that way).

Anyway, my bright idea is to take a 4x4 stock toyota extra cab or long bed pick-up and get the extended F-toy frame from Hendrix and a couple grand later I should have a nice truggy. I like the idea of having the reliability and power of a 22RE. Plus better suspension potential and off road capability over the VW alternative. Also, parts are cheap and easy to find and I already know how to work on the 22RE (I HATE VW's!!!!!!!!!!!!).

Anyway, this is my brilliant idea that I'm sure someone will make a cruel remark about. So, let me know if I'm an idiot for thinking this would be a feasible alternative to the whole VW style buggy.

Ok, here is my story. I don't do any 4x4 stuff since the hobby is too expensive for me since I already do the desert scene. I want some sort of buggy/truggy for the family, but I HATE VW style buggies (butTrying to keep it under $5000 too). they are too low to the ground, and I hate the swing axle crap. plus the front suspension usually sucks(And I hate having different size tires). Plus when I sit in a VW, my legs are almost straight out and I like to be higher than the pedals(It just feels more comfortable that way).

Anyway, my bright idea is to take a 4x4 stock toyota extra cab or long bed pick-up and get the extended F-toy frame from Hendrix and a couple grand later I should have a nice truggy. I like the idea of having the reliability and power of a 22RE. Plus better suspension potential and off road capability over the VW alternative. Also, parts are cheap and easy to find and I already know how to work on the 22RE (I HATE VW's!!!!!!!!!!!!).

Anyway, this is my brilliant idea that I'm sure someone will make a cruel remark about. So, let me know if I'm an idiot for thinking this would be a feasible alternative to the whole VW style buggy.

5k is cheap but if your fine with just sitting a chassis on a frame and building a floor/dash then go for it.

I know that there has been talk of a desert racing style F-Toy with Total Chaos style suspension. I think it would be bad ass, but I doubt that it would be cheap.

Maybe something like this for a donor. Perhaps watch for one that had been rolled or an unfinished project to get the cost down even further.

http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=2&md=second&id=11303

This would be cool also. Could sell off the body to fund some suspension parts.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/car/577107673.html

EDIT:

Here we go.....

http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=2&md=second&id=10631

Ok, here is my story. I don't do any 4x4 stuff since the hobby is too expensive for me since I already do the desert scene. I want some sort of buggy/truggy for the family, but I HATE VW style buggies (butTrying to keep it under $5000 too). they are too low to the ground, and I hate the swing axle crap. plus the front suspension usually sucks(And I hate having different size tires). Plus when I sit in a VW, my legs are almost straight out and I like to be higher than the pedals(It just feels more comfortable that way).

Anyway, my bright idea is to take a 4x4 stock toyota extra cab or long bed pick-up and get the extended F-toy frame from Hendrix and a couple grand later I should have a nice truggy. I like the idea of having the reliability and power of a 22RE. Plus better suspension potential and off road capability over the VW alternative. Also, parts are cheap and easy to find and I already know how to work on the 22RE (I HATE VW's!!!!!!!!!!!!).

Anyway, this is my brilliant idea that I'm sure someone will make a cruel remark about. So, let me know if I'm an idiot for thinking this would be a feasible alternative to the whole VW style buggy.
No, your not an idiot, just a guy trying to build a decent trail ride on a budget. Nothing wrong with that, Ive been there. The fact that you recognize Toyota as the best platform going proves you have done your research. Your budget seems a bit low but go for it, worn out Toyota parts are way better than any thing vw has new. sam

I love the idea. Half the fun with my F-Toy is blasting to and from the trails with the Deaver's, Bilsteins, and correctly setup bump stops working together. I love getting a little air at 50-60 MPH. I don't know if 5K is doable, but give it a shot :D :D

I know that there has been talk of a desert racing style F-Toy with Total Chaos style suspension. I think it would be bad ass, but I doubt that it would be cheap.

Actually I wasn't thinking of changing the suspension at all. I used to have a 93' toyota pick-up 2wd, and I would bomb that through the desert. Thats why I figured I can go with a 4wd stock pick-up and just add limiting straps and bump stops. Once you take the body off and weld the hendrix frame on, you have just added more uptravel (no wheel wells to hit). I have found a few trucks in my area that are less than $2000. I figure $1500 for the frame and $2000 for the truck, a couple hundred for seats and harnesses. I can do all the welding and I would only need some scrap metal and some gages for the panel. I'm pretty sure I can do everything else for less than $1000. Plus I can sell some of the cab parts to get a little money back.

Even at it's stock condition, it will have more HP and travel front and rear over most VW's I have seen for $5000 or less.

The trick is to keep it simple, if all i'm trying to do is find at least an equal alternative to the VW, I can succeed with this rig. Most people would go with bigger tires and crazy low gears and extras. All I want to do is play in the sand and rock. As I have already said, I did this with my stock 2wd Toyota pick-up, all I want now is something with 4 seats that is reliable and easy to work on that I don't have to worry about driving to work on Monday.

Sounds like fun!!

I done one a few years back with a 2wd toy. By the time you take the body off you gain a few inches of ground clearance. I ran 35s on the rear and 31s on the front so i had even more ground clearance. I put a cage on it like the old sandrails. It was alot of fun!