Cheers - will pm you my number so we can chat n meet up

Actually my blue sidewinder cruises nicely at 85 plus on the motorways (sorry meant if I was driving on the autobahn officer!) but there are buggies on here that cruise nicely at greater speeds than that! Mine can do more but because you are so exposed with the low screen etc you really don't want to be going that fast!

Yes absolutely it's great to have another buggy owner nearby. Gladly help where ever possible.

I just hope those visitors coming from warmer shores are ready for a trip in winter in a buggy! It was a tad fresh in mine on Saturday!

Actually I better check.... I hope I didn't say it does 80 on a video.... Folks have been caught with that evidence before! Whoops I better make sure I'm in the clear! 

Yes, that would be great, thank you.  No worries, 80mph was on an airfield.   

Hi Buddy,

Your buggy is actually a Hustler rather than a GP MK 2. I always like the way the back moulding looks on a Hustler.

Removal of the engine is quite simple really and doesn't need specialist equipment. Just a 17mm spanner and a trolley jack 

Seriously if a couple of local buggy guys can pop your way I am sure you will get a good diagnosis of the problem. Its always best to see what the problem is before forking out on  anew gearbox if one is not needed.

Oh, and welcome to the site.

Chad

Oh yes phew! They can't do me for that then! Besides it was for charrrrrity mate! Doing it for the kids don't you know! <said in a smashy and nicey way>

Agreed on all chad said, and can run through getting the engine in and out.... V easy

Okay, I better buy a trolley jack then. I thought it looked simple on the Youtube videos.  My local transmission guys were really struggling, took them all day to fit the engine back in.  They had never seen anything like it I think. They do normal cars of course, Fords and such like, recommended through the trade.

Hi Chad, oh so mine is called a Hustler! That is interesting. Was AndyR's old one also a Hustler see link http://www.beachbuggy.info/index.php/topic,34.0.html ?   I'm going to google that now.   Thanks a lot for that information.   I was looking for that for a long time.  Shall I do a party at my house this weekend, could get some beers in.  I think I am a bit out of the way though in MK.  Thanks for the welcome.

You know I'm one of those fools who thought he could have his beach buggy as his only car. The insurer couldn't believe it and they charge me extra for it.  Really what I need to do, is get a second vehicle with a tow bar and a trailer, so I could just drop round other member's houses to take a look at it.  The logistics are actually tying me down on this.

Nope mine is, sorry was a GP mark 1 and yours is a hustler, close but it's all about the rear end bit over the engine. Will explain more when I see you, armed with the buggy hand book and yes will pop over soon (may be this weekend if I can) and explain the engine removal. Depending on carb clearances etc should be out in 30-45mins max! (Many would do it less than that!)

Before you give up on the gearbox there are those things mentioned before worth ruling out before you shell out lots on a box.

Hi Matthew.

Once I was like you are now. I had a beetle as my only car and knew nothing. In the end I learnt how to do things myself as it turned out easier than I thought.

If you can hold a spanner it is relatively easy to do your own stuff on buggies, particularly if you have like minded buggy folk nearby to point you in the right direction which in MK I know you have in Andy R, Roadrunner and Fran for a start.

My first buggy I built in 1992 and ran it as my only car for 4 years. I didn't have a garage or anything at the time so it can be done.

And I am sure someone on here will have a second hand gearbox in their shed - I did but Jayson had it off me a couple of years ago 

All the best.
Chad

Thank you Chad for the encouragement.  I have looked on Ebay now and can't believe I can get a 2 ton trolley jack for just 20 quid.  Ah, this is awesome.

Matthew you can have a buggy as your only car I had one 74 until 81 as my only car then got a van for the business but continued driving the buggy I did not have another car until 86 when the first daughter arrived however I still have a daily driver buggy 41 yeqrs on although mine does have a roof and doors. Was thinking this morning thats over 300,000 miles buggy driving

Trolley jack 15 and 17mm spanners screw driver perhaps an 8mm spanner is all you need to get the motor out if you have no rear cage fitted.  Modern vehicle technicians wil be lost on a buggy us old school mechanics were brought up without the need for a diagnostic socket and fault code reader.

Yes Snoopy, I do have a rear cage which I think looks easily detachable.  Well done on 300,000 miles buggy driving. That is incredible.  Thank you for encouraging me.  How does your roof work with the doors in the rain.  I have a soft rain cover with climb-in "doors".  How is yours effective in the wet.   

When I got Bella (I mean the buggy previously as shown in the picture link that is now mine http://www.beachbuggyclub.com/forums/topic/475/hustler-uk ) in my excitement I saw myself driving all over Europe with it.  I really want to get it unSORN'ed.  I realise I must definitely get a jack next and some axel stands.   Spanners I have got, I bought Britools and loads of other things like torques wrenches - just never occured to me to buy a car trolley jack.  I (falsely) presumed that would be unaffordable.  So thank you for pointing all these tips out to me.

If I get four axel stands that should help ensure this thing doesn't drop on top of me when I am under it what do you think?   

My present daily has a built in roof with lifft off doors all in fibreglass a modern take on the buggy design. Soft tops are usable in winter but you have to watch the clear window sheets as it does go hard andcrack in frosty conditions as it ages.
Heat exchangers in the exhaust system are a must for warmth and screen defrosting although you can get warm clothing and electric demisters

You can take buggies anywhere we have been to spain, italy on holidays and a couple of years ago red buggy (do a web search on it) went from sweden to cape town on a trip.

Your enthusiasm is good, buggies are simple and the basic mechanicals easy to learn smiles per miles is what it is about.

welcome to the forum sorry to hear of your troubles