Beach Buggy .Info

Hi Guys,

Hope to be able to post up all my new updates relating to the build thus far.

Chassis has been shot blasted and i am now getting it ready so that i can paint it in POR 15.
Too cold at the moment to do much and nursing badly bruised ribs........

Before:------
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/DSC029721.jpg)

After????....... ;D ;D

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/534809_10151397911447808_266761847_n.jpg)

very nice and shiny take it your going off road with a shiny pan like that, looks really good :) :)

Hi Chris,

Not the actual finished pan but an eample of how its to be....... ;D ;) ;D

At long last an opportunity to get the chassis out into the daylight and get it painted.......... 8) 8)

Nice to see the project is moving along again.

I always think painting a chassis is very therapeutic and makes you feel your getting somewhere

Chad

that looks the nuts matey  ;-)up

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/534809_10151397911447808_266761847_n.jpg)

 ;-)up

http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?p=9456761#post9456761

Cool ;-)up

I have been really busy and have commissioned Zane at Zannetec to build me a decent roll cage. He has just finished it ready for me to collect.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/image-17.jpg

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/image-17.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/image-17.jpg.html)

Looks absolutely fantastic.

Is Zane the same guy in Wiltshire who made Rick's off-road chassis / cage for his SWB Jade Green Doon?

If so I have been to his place to see Rick's and his work is stunning.

Yes it is Chad and he is a top bloke can't recommend him highly enough.
More photo's..........
http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/slideshow/Doon%20Buggy%20Build

The cage looks very neat, what did it cost or is that a rude question.

QuoteThe cage looks very neat, what did it cost or is that a rude question.

I wouldnt have thought so Snoop, as I would be interested to hear as well.

The little nudge type bars on the side are neat and i have an idea in that direction...  ???

:D :D :D :D :D ;-)up

We started at one price and ended up at another due to the final results and my change of overall design requirements.
The cost was for a weeks work and materials and additional work on the chassis. Expect to pay over £1500 for this type of quality. Powder coaters next for a reasonable £180 all in.

Moved house in the last couple of months and so things have gotten a bit tricky parts in storage all over the place but i am keen to get back on this asap. ;-)up

Hi Guys - lots been happening in the last god knows how many days!!!!
http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=738748
I should get some updates on here soon....... ;-)up

looking good, just a taster if you do not mind.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/IMG_2004.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/IMG_2004.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/IMG_2005.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/IMG_2005.jpg.html)

Looks nice, I'll give it that, but it's not going to be all that great as a rollcage - there's no triangulation anywhere.

I can spot 4 triangles.i

 ;D

Where would you have suggested they go........ ???

Triangulation goes from corner to corner in the boxes as a fectangle will fold flat without one. However many folks have no roll bar or any strengthening what so ever. Accidents are not the things to have in a buggy the crumple zone extends from the front to the tail pipe.

What can happen

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm80/93fxdl/2015-11/373006.jpg) (http://s293.photobucket.com/user/93fxdl/media/2015-11/373006.jpg.html)

Ttfn Glenn
Ps seems he was thrown out as it started rolling and suffered injuries but survived

My single roll bar withstood the roll but the impact r/h/f pushed the wheel back into the tunnel by the gearlever so like the guy above I was better off with no seatbelt and getting thrown out the buggy.

However it landing on me the right way up did not do to much damage although the police officer who dealt with it thought I would be dead as all the could see was my feet and legs when they arrived. Always had high buggies and not stret ones luckily
There is a link to one on the samba on the home pc from south africa that got taken out by a tall 4X4 and that has nothing above pan level.

now added, luckily this is a rare event.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff290/doempies/Slide5.jpg

Quote from: targabuggy on November 24, 2015, 04:06:09 PM
Where would you have suggested they go........ ???

All the tubes should meet in triangles to ensure the tubes themselves are loaded in tension and compression -  squares/quadrangles will just fold flat around the welds like hinges - bit grim to think about but your cage would very easily fold flat just like the above picture by pivoting backwards.

Crikey I recon this buggy business is a road to death based on what has been said so far.

Thank you for your comments - I am thinking of selling on and buying a KIA Picanto with 2 airbags and A/C. ;-)(-;

Quote from: targabuggy on January 14, 2016, 04:23:56 PM
Crikey I recon this buggy business is a road to death based on what has been said so far.

Thank you for your comments - I am thinking of selling on and buying a KIA Picanto with 2 airbags and A/C. ;-)(-;

As a bugger with 42 years and over 300,000 miles covered sat in a plastic tub on vw running gear I would say do not worry death is the end of the road but you can enjoy yourself getting there.

Think of it this way:

How long have you been driving? Do you drive in such a fashion that you need a roll cage?

how many times have you rolled the car to date?



Nuff said   :-X


Oh, and any more talk of buying a Kia will get you kicked off here - there is no need for that  (http://www.dndservices.co.uk/smiley/rules.gif)

;D

Seems a shame to have a roll cage fitted that's not actually much good in a roll though.

And as for no rolls, well neither have I. But I've watched more than one friend die in one. It takes surprisingly little force/speed, just the right conditions.
Anyway, back to normal service.

Hi Phillip.  I have read and watched this post with interest.

I think that most buggies on here, including mine, are just for recreational road use and the use off the term roll bar is a generic term when really all the vast majority of us on this site really have is nothing more than a hood support bar.

Very few of us do competiton off roading in our vehicles and likely never will. If we did obviously we would build a fully cross membered filleted ROLL cage. But the cages / bars we do use helps reduce body shake and provides us with somewhere to fix a seatbelt. In addition fibreglass is extremely strong in tensile (ripping) strength so if the bar / cage is also bolted through the body as well as the floor it does help.

As over 90% of all collisions on British roads occur at 30 ph or below, some rudimentary side impact protection in what most of us have, does help. Obviously in the event of a high speed massive smash you are unlikely to come out of it well.

I do have small triangle fillets on mine at the main side bar and vertical front and rear bar joints which I use as the points to bolt through my body shell.

I'm with Snoopy in that I have been in the buggy world for over 1/4 a century now and know of no incidents involving a buggy rolling when used in normal road driving.

I used to race a rail in the Scorr series years ago and saw a few rollovers then but of course these vehicles were kitted out for racing.

So Mr Tara bug, you are with the vast majority of us buggy owners and I, for one, think the hood support bar / cage you have looks great  ;-)up

Well my cage is made from Stainless - it looks good, but would be about as much use as tin foil if I went over, especially as the rear half is bolted to the fibreglass tub. And you know what? I don`t really care, as it was built to look shiney and somewhere to hang the interior mirror

@targabuggy
Ignore what others think at times and build your car the way YOU want to - but for what its worth, that shape of roll cage you have there will compliment the shape of the DOON bodyshell perfectly, and I can`t wait to see it on the road.

Looking good mate - keep the pictures coming   ;-)up

Ive given up on being paranoid about every thing...........................

I just do what I can, the best I can, with the budget I have available at the time, totaly enjoy the useing my cars and any comments that come my way good or bad are dealt with when I feel like it.

If I ever meet those pilloks Elf &safety Im gonna totally trash them with a large bat made of common sense and fun  :D  :D

H

I accept that Chad, and I know most of you it's just some extra strength for the shell and to compliment how it looks, but my point is more that if you're having one done and you do want a rollcage, it takes very little extra time or expense to make it actually triangulated, where it would be far, far stronger.

I guess it just worries me when people go 'look at my great new rollcage' and you wonder if they do know it's not going to be much good in a roll, whether they then have a false sense of security perhaps. If it had been 'look at my new style bars!' I perhaps wouldn't have bitten so hard :D

I know you're not all offroading at speeds, but I see more rolls at 15-20mph where someone clips the edge of a kerb or similar than I do the high speed stuff, it is amazing how easy it is to turn a car over, especially a jacked up buggy if you go playing down the lanes a bit, a swingaxle rear has quite a bit of overturning moment up high to start with.
Anyway, wasn't meaning to ruffle too many feathers, just don't get carried away with your style bars ;)

I have 2 motorbikes as well as a buggy. 
You learn to drive within your abilities and the condtions and treat everyone else as an idiot who will do something stupid when you don't expect it.
You can't expect not to have an accident but then you can't expect to live forever and you have to have some fun.
Poeple in cars that are the safest in the world get injured its a risk you have to decide that you willing to take.
Yes you can minimize it but you will never make it 100% safe.

Hi guys thanks for your comments - proper debate!! No one is boasting about look at this and doesn't it look great. I'm personally just looking for feedback. This whole build for me is down to a few hours each Wednesday on my day off and some rare time on Sunday's. Yes it's taking a long time and so it should but unfortunately I have no other audience to discuss this with other than on vzi ;-)up and your good selves!  ;-)(-;

Roll bars are just for mounting cameras, massive spot lamps or if you want to secure on a hard top fairly easily!

I wouldn't worry about a long time, I can't remember ever stopping work on mine  ;D

Quote from: apmaman on January 15, 2016, 10:52:52 PM
Roll bars are just for mounting cameras, massive spot lamps or if you want to secure on a hard top fairly easily!

And for polishing, dont forget the polishing

The body is finally on the car but not yet bolted down - I still need to make some adjustments to the fit but at least it's starting to take shape!!!
[IMG]
[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/EF9B2346-B6E6-46BE-91B8-8002A43EB603.jpg.html ;-)up
(http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/FB335678-92A8-4BFB-B295-3FF4C08B60BB.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/EF9B2346-B6E6-46BE-91B8-8002A43EB603.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/EF9B2346-B6E6-46BE-91B8-8002A43EB603.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/IMG_2004.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/IMG_2004.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/F28E27BB-F4E1-4055-B42F-3B5452F72512.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/F28E27BB-F4E1-4055-B42F-3B5452F72512.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/IMG_2006.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/IMG_2006.jpg.html)

The problem I have is the distance to bring the body down on the chassis as you can see is a couple of inches yet I don't have the same clearance on the clutch arm on the gearbox and I also had a bar that supported the rear seating area by bolting to the upper shock bolt mounts but I have to remove this for now.........

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/5E03BF4B-CEB0-444E-A7D5-3BDDDADA4B23.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/5E03BF4B-CEB0-444E-A7D5-3BDDDADA4B23.jpg.html)

Fitted the support bar back on and the front bolts on the body have gone in OK. The rear need tightening slowly as there is at least a couple of inches to pull down.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/E486D498-D0F2-4AD7-9C3E-2DA9BBF5A877.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/E486D498-D0F2-4AD7-9C3E-2DA9BBF5A877.jpg.html)

Moved on to the front end and made a start in installing the original VW beetle steering column BUT it appears to be too long. Will I honestly have to shorten it or do you guys recommend something else? The steering column support bar doesn't work with the mountings for the column as is. Again any ideas?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/D03540ED-B709-4887-A97E-688424C9440A.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/D03540ED-B709-4887-A97E-688424C9440A.jpg.html)

Could be way off the mark here - but wasn`t that mounting for a Golf column ?   :-\

Chad's the man to answer any Q's but he is skiing at the mo.

Quote from: Dave DND on January 20, 2016, 02:15:07 PM
Could be way off the mark here - but wasn`t that mounting for a Golf column ?   :-\

I ordered it from volksmagic as a standard steering column support. Are there different types?

Any thoughts on the steering column dilemma  :-\

The three buggy's I've built with balljoint beams, I have had to shorten the column, cant remember by how much though.

H

Quote from: targabuggy on January 23, 2016, 08:12:11 PM
Any thoughts on the steering column dilemma  :-\

Yes,
Speak to Chad, if you can't wait till he is back then speak to Lee at VolksMagic but he will probably say speak to Chad.

Hi Guys,

Back form Andorra eventually after a coach breakdown and a plane breakdown  ???

The column doesn't need shoertening otherwise it wouldn't fit the dash properly. If you drop the dash on you will see the steering column cowling fits into the part that protrudes from the dash mould (although you will need to cut out the front of the protrusion to suit th cowling you have - I find making a carboard pattern around teh cowling first helps and then you can mark this on the face of the dash. Then use a dremel and hack saw blade to cut out the shape.)

To make a standard column fit the support you need to cut off the butterfly piece on top of the tube and re-weld lower down the tube where the steering support plate is. You may then just need a packing piece between the butterfly and plate on the support bar to set the height to what you want it to be. Some tall drivers like it higher and some shorter drivers like it lower, so the design of the support allows you to set the column at different heights using a block of metal, bolted through.

Hope that makes some sort of sense.
Chad

Quote from: targabuggy on January 20, 2016, 01:55:16 PM
Moved on to the front end and made a start in installing the original VW beetle steering column BUT it appears to be too long. Will I honestly have to shorten it or do you guys recommend something else? The steering column support bar doesn't work with the mountings for the column as is. Again any ideas?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/D03540ED-B709-4887-A97E-688424C9440A.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/D03540ED-B709-4887-A97E-688424C9440A.jpg.html)

Did anyone spot the LHD gear shifter !

LHD ??????????

So does that mean that you can only select reverse if you have a passenger?? ;D

Quote from: Pondlife on January 25, 2016, 01:14:13 PM
LHD ??????????

Reverse button is on the wrong side

Quote from: Stiffer on January 25, 2016, 08:39:20 PM

Quote from: Pondlife on January 25, 2016, 01:14:13 PM
LHD ??????????

Reverse button is on the wrong side

Agreed   :'(

Imagine sitting in the drivers seat, and placing your left hand on the gearstick.

Now look where your left thumb is, and look at where the reverse shift lock button is 

Its an LHD gearstick for sure   :'(

On a lot of those T shifters you can loosen a grub screw and turn the handle thru 180 degrees. Not sure about those EMPI ones though... :-\

Quote from: Manxdavid on January 26, 2016, 11:37:10 AM
On a lot of those T shifters you can loosen a grub screw and turn the handle thru 180 degrees. Not sure about those EMPI ones though... :-\

As that is shaped to the hand it may not turn.
Might be an advantage as when I first fitted my CSP I found it far too easy to accidentally push the button

I just press it in with my little finger!! ;D

Quote from: Chad on January 24, 2016, 09:36:13 PM
Hi Guys,

Back form Andorra eventually after a coach breakdown and a plane breakdown  ???

Hi Chad, thanks for the info - one thing you can see in the photo is that the outer tube does not go through the bulkhead - its about an inch or two too short - any ideas?

Managed to sort out the column but just need to cut the bracket and re weld lower down.
;-)up ;-)up

Thats great news  ;-)up

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/9F526943-3C02-47E1-A493-F59BD80E63C2.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/9F526943-3C02-47E1-A493-F59BD80E63C2.jpg.html)

Got the bracket off!!!!! Had to go easy with the grinder though.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/8F9EA36B-32C7-4D32-A59E-92463BC00429.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/8F9EA36B-32C7-4D32-A59E-92463BC00429.jpg.html)
Will get it powder coated and refitted ASAP.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/A515FC0F-58FA-4EA3-9D47-E8D62949C94E.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/A515FC0F-58FA-4EA3-9D47-E8D62949C94E.jpg.html)

Got it sorted and painted.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/17E120AB-FF2A-4513-B273-4C177A520C44.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/17E120AB-FF2A-4513-B273-4C177A520C44.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/23063580-4C4B-47F1-B532-5FAF2B358270.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/23063580-4C4B-47F1-B532-5FAF2B358270.jpg.html)

Happy with the install - found some chrome plated brass pipe to hide the bolt thread and trimmed it down and ground a slope on it so it fitted the angle of the plate on the column.

I like neat and tidy! ;-)up

Will probably fit doomed nuts on the bottom of the bolts on the final finish.

Looks fine and gives you the option of a pretty easy height move when you get everything assembled so it is comfortable to drive

Looks a nice neat solution.

;-)up

Just keeping the thread going! Lots done and will get some photos on here ASAP. Latest acquisition is a pair of side pods from Volks Magic!

Ordered a pair of lwb side pods from Volksmagic nd Lee is personally delivering them to me next week - what a guy!! Great Customer Service and seems to work 24-7!! ;-)up

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/512E83F4-D49B-4284-970F-75961A95F21B.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/Doon%20Buggy%20Build/512E83F4-D49B-4284-970F-75961A95F21B.jpg.html)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/IMG_3761.png) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/IMG_3761.png.html)
One side done and then the other and not too much fettling to get them to fit!!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/IMG_3764_1.png) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/IMG_3764_1.png.html)

FRONT NUDGE BAR - trial fitted and looks great.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/targabug1974/EA1A1C6D-F47D-480E-A3C1-E03F3BFBF3CC_zpsxhaaqstg_1.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/targabug1974/media/EA1A1C6D-F47D-480E-A3C1-E03F3BFBF3CC_zpsxhaaqstg_1.jpg.html)

Side pods look good, and I think the Yellow / White combo really suits it

Its not staying that colour!!! It will be one colour all over when painted. ;-)up

Right it's been 120 days since my last post and all I can say is that the doon build is alive and kicking and moving along - lots done since.
Currently with VM I've commissioned them to get it 95% finished with just a few bits for me to finish!

That is good news VM will be a faster build speed then you finish it off for the spring and bugy fun.

(https://i.imgur.com/KTuegmT.jpg?1)

Looks good  ;-)up