hi

i have both books by ron champion, the off road buggy one and the locost book,

i was planning to give the buggy a go first because funds are tight and to build up my skills, than to have a crack at the locost

has anybody done it this way or do they just jump in at deep end?

I think most people on this site start with a locost but I think the buggy would be a great project, and would certainly help you a lot if you decided to go on and build a locost afterwards. I say go for it!

Pete

My brother and I have started off with a buggy, although not Ron's design, something we came up with.
Its a good way to realise all the tools you actually need to do a job like this, and what welders not to buy!

Plus the fact you'll have a buggy at the end of it too is quite cool!

for the buggy your most expensive parts will be wheels and tyres i would suggest making or having made up some hubs that have a ford or mini fitment ..... and you could even go for real brakes instead of a single disc on the rear axle ...


i have a buggy i wouldnt suggest fitting an engine smaller then 200cc as it wont be that quick but i wouldnt go much higher without suspension ...

dont worry about the stresses on it without suspension im 20 stone and havent bent an axle yet and my kart does about 50mph and i do some seious off road in i t

CommanderAce - do you have any pics of your buggy? How much did it cost you to build?

Pete

i started with a robin hood, mind you it did only cost me £500

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Originally posted by scoobyis2cool
CommanderAce - do you have any pics of your buggy? How much did it cost you to build?

Pete

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hey commander ace

what cad program you using?

SketchUp 5

do you do any sort of engineering ?
or are you just sort of learning as you go along?

My brother Paul V6 is the engineer, I'm the computer geek! I like designing stuff and he likes building it but I'm learning from him, I'm his apprentice if you wish.

welding up a buggy chassis would definately be a good intro to welding. I picked it up fast myself, but the first few welds on my monstercost are distinctly bubbly

this might be a stupid question but what makes a lo cost into a monster cost?

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Originally posted by matt12
this might be a stupid question but what makes a lo cost into a monster cost?

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how did you find out how to modify the frame from "the book"? to fit sierra bits

how come yours is so long?

do a search for GTS, its basically by the book but with a few changes here and there to accomodate Sierra uprights, axel etc. Thats the route I'm going down

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Originally posted by matt12
how come yours is so long?

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