Interesting Cage design...

[BadDog]

Hmmm....

Ditching the body completely. Just wide enough to be safe with 2 seats. Think "moon buggy" (from PBB recent comp buggies). Your cage design should be fine, just tighten it up (and lighten it up to help the axles survive) by removing the body. That keeps some of the nostalgia you wanted but is a bit more practical IMO. But my personal pref would be something that looked like a 2 seater version of the moon buggies, or even something like Silly's latest buggy.

On other fronts, make it low since you don't have much for clearace issues. Maybe mild lift with stock (of some sort) soft springs if a need is determined, but only if it is really needed. Staying low will have a huge benefit for stability doing power slides on mud flats. Some sort of wide floatation/turf tires, but probably no bigger than 33-35 at most. Axles probably can't handle Ag chevrons, but with an axle upgrade... /forums/images/graemlins/thinking.gif Good import buckets with 4 or 5 points. Of course then your going to want more power... and... and...

<bzzzappp!>

Huh? Where am I? Did I get carried away? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Just a quick ramble of things that crossed my mind. I actually started to build something like this with a Honda 750-4 motor once back when I lived in N. AL.

 

[Jeff427]

Well, actually, I have been compiling a list of suggestions that I have gotten from several people, and some of them fit in with your suggestions quite well. Here is a rundown of some of the suggestions I have gotten;

Lose the body except for the firewall and windshield

4 link and coil springs

4 wheel steering (using Dana 27 fronts)

Lexan floors (reduced weight, increased visability)

Any other panels; use plastic instead of steel

Powr Loc's in both axles

2 person capacity (driver and passenger) max

Keep tubing design simple and functional

Aluminum wheels (to reduce the load on the axles)

Keep tire size to no bigger than 31's (Dana 27's small center section will have good clearance with 31's)

Use lighter weight radial tires

I am looking at it as a challenge to make some otherwise (in most peoples opinion) useless parts into a fun little buggy. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

 

[Resurrection_Joe]

I was thinking more of a two seater inline buggy, one seater wide you know? Hook up some cheapo hydro steering, throw some tiny swapers on, and go.

 

[Jeff427]

That is a cool idea, except I would have to do a lot more than just cheapo hydro steer. I would also have to fab throttle linkage, clutch linkage, brake pedal mount, master cylinder mount, and have the shifters (as in 3 of them, as it has a twin stick Dana 20 t-case) all situated right in front of me if I go with inline seating. That is why I was just planning on keeping the firewall and windshield intact, because the linkages (throttle, and clutch), shifters, column, pedals, and brakes are all in place and function already. I wish it were as simple as you make it sound, but I think those buggies with inline seating have automatic trannies, and the advantage of being built from the ground up with central seating in mind.

 

[big83chevy4x4]

one of my friends built a buggy with inline seating on a samari frame. he has the steering wheel directly over the shifter and the t case lever he bent to clear his leg. /forums/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

 

[Jeff427]

got any pics?