Are there any full sized based buggies out there? I have been thinking about starting with K-5 chassis and then adding tubework, but I would like to see some other people's ideas on this subject. The toyota guys are big into this, and then adding full size axles? The more I think about it, the more it makes sense to just start with a larger truck chassis, then you have the bigger engine and tougher drivetrain w/out any hassles. I did a search, and did not come up with any true tube framed buggies.
Thanks.

well n00bie:flipoff2: go over to www.coloradok5.com

check out Russ' (aka BadDog) truggy.

http://coloradok5.com/gallery/albuq36?&page=2

http://community.webshots.com/album/48958453nBuejm

Here is a buggy more complete (and nicer) than mine. It was built by ORD and based on a K5 chassis.
http://community.webshots.com/storage/1/v2/6/42/96/48964296SsJQNA_ph.jpg

And here is a pic of my K30 based buggy with cut down frame. It's no where near finished yet. Still have to do the front tube work (ditch the GM front sheet metal and core support) and add some aesthetic touches to the back. It is designed to seat up to 5 (originally wanted 6) OR reconfigure for hauling a fair amount of gear.


http://community.webshots.com/storage/1/v2/8/43/95/48984395NhfaPQ_ph.jpg

There are more pics of both rigs in the gallery linked by Zakk above.

Argh, I hate webshots...

Anyway, here are some more galleries with pics of both buggies on Upper Helldorado (taken from another post I made a few weeks ago).

Upper Helldorado
http://community.webshots.com/album/48958453nBuejm
http://community.webshots.com/album/48684762bQeFeb

Lots more pics here in multiple galleries which each span multiple pages.
http://www.rockmodified.com/events/blazerbash/bash.htm
(Look in the Upper Hell gallery for pics of the ORD buggy, you'll find pics of mine in most of them...)

Originally posted by rummerd
Are there any full sized based buggies out there? I have been thinking about starting with K-5 chassis and then adding tubework, but I would like to see some other people's ideas on this subject. The toyota guys are big into this, and then adding full size axles? The more I think about it, the more it makes sense to just start with a larger truck chassis, then you have the bigger engine and tougher drivetrain w/out any hassles. I did a search, and did not come up with any true tube framed buggies.
Thanks.
My thoughts were almost identical to yours. Why by small and spend a fortune and years of my life trying to "beef it up" when I could buy a K30 and throw away (or SELL!) the body. Start with the strong chassis and drive train, then add whatever body (or no body) that you like... MUCH cheaper, MUCH easier, MUCH faster to get to the trail...

That buggy by Off Road Design is just about what I have been thinking about. It looks pretty versatile as well. I bet you could take it to the dunes and have a blast with it there as well. Muddin would be OK if you don't mind getting to dirty! I have been thinking of a few different things, though. On a K-5 chassis, it looks like you can move the Engine/trans back 3 to 6 inches for better balance front to rear. Also, mount the radiator in the rear as well as the battery and fuel cell. You would have the best of both worlds, great weight transfer/balance for traction, and good high speed manners as well as great brakes for bigger tires and V-8 power and torque! After I get settled in Washington state, I will have to find a beater K-5 and break out the "magic wand"!
Thanks.

Originally posted by rummerd
That buggy by Off Road Design is just about what I have been thinking about. It looks pretty versatile as well. I bet you could take it to the dunes and have a blast with it there as well. Muddin would be OK if you don't mind getting to dirty! I have been thinking of a few different things, though. On a K-5 chassis, it looks like you can move the Engine/trans back 3 to 6 inches for better balance front to rear. Also, mount the radiator in the rear as well as the battery and fuel cell. You would have the best of both worlds, great weight transfer/balance for traction, and good high speed manners as well as great brakes for bigger tires and V-8 power and torque! After I get settled in Washington state, I will have to find a beater K-5 and break out the "magic wand"!
Thanks.


i gotta chime in.. it's a small small world.. that's a buddy of mine's buggy.. it's not an ord built buggy.. he built it and now he's workin at ord.. it would be fun on the dunes, but it's a blast on the trails.. muddin' is fun.. and YES you get dirty.. the radiator is mounted behind the seats (up front is the steering cooler) and the drivetrain is still in stock location.. it's basically a k5 with a tube instead of a body.. and with the weight loss it RIPS with a bare bones 350.. i'll see if i can get him to check this thread out..

I would like to talk with the builder if he would be willing to let me get a few pointers from him. His rig is pretty cool, but I have a different looking cage I want to build, but basically the same idea. It is a small world.

Yeah, it's a sweet buggy. I got to see it work on Upper Hell and I was very impressed. It was his first time out with his buggy, just like it was the first time out for mine. We were both short of being finished and spent the last hectic days wrenching and welding late into the night. Then we ran Upper Hell together with virgin rigs, what a blast! BTW, I (and most everyone) called it the "ORD Buggy" because it's got ORD addys on the side. Just like people call JR's Bronco buggy the "Fat City Bronco". Anyway, I wish mine looked as good as his, but the realities of building a rig that can seat 5-6 plus gear combined with my limited experience (first tube bending of any kind), well, it is what it is… :D

Originally posted by BadDog
Yeah, it's a sweet buggy. I got to see it work on Upper Hell and I was very impressed. It was his first time out with his buggy, just like it was the first time out for mine. We were both short of being finished and spent the last hectic days wrenching and welding late into the night. Then we ran Upper Hell together with virgin rigs, what a blast! BTW, I (and most everyone) called it the "ORD Buggy" because it's got ORD addys on the side. Just like people call JR's Bronco buggy the "Fat City Bronco". Anyway, I wish mine looked as good as his, but the realities of building a rig that can seat 5-6 plus gear combined with my limited experience (first tube bending of any kind), well, it is what it is… :D

it was his first time on upper hell.. actually it's Buggy's first time on everything out west now.. we did take it to tellico earlier in the summer tho.. "ord buggy" it is then.. i'd paint mine snot green and put ord stickers all over it too if i had a job there :D .. we always refered to it as "Buggy".. lol.. and believe it or not one of those bends on the front hoop was his first bend.. (oops, not sure i should say that) and i actually own that bender now.. :D next time u run into him ask him about when Buggy ran me over.. haha.. i emailed him about this thread.. later guys