| So you want to tear up the dunes with your own | | | | buggy from scratch unless you know what you are |
| dune buggy but you're not sure whether to buy a | | | | doing and have experience in design. Be warned that |
| complete turn key buggy or use some dune buggy | | | | if you do it will usually end in disaster and a half |
| plans to build your own? Well firstly there are a | | | | finished bundle of steel sitting in your garage. That |
| number of issues you need to address before you | | | | said the most important factor in dune buggy |
| decide which route to take. | | | | construction is which plans to use for construction. If |
| The main factor that people consider when deciding | | | | you get this wrong or use the cheapest or plans you |
| to buy/build a dune buggy is the cost of the project, | | | | can find you will regret it in the end as they rarely |
| how much is it going to cost me if i decide to buy | | | | turn out how you first imagined. Lets face it you are |
| one Vs. build one myself? Now i can't give you an | | | | about to invest quite a bit of money and time into |
| accurate figure for each as it will depend on where | | | | building a dune buggy so make sure you choose |
| you live, how much shipping will cost and how much | | | | quality plans from the start. |
| materials cost in your area if you decide to build one. | | | | Most good quality, proven plans will set you back |
| It will also depend on how skilled you are with metal | | | | around $100-$200 and will give you good solid |
| fabrication, welding etc. If you will have to pay for a | | | | information and a step by step procedure to building |
| shop to fabricate the parts you need you will | | | | your buggy. You can get plans for cheaper but |
| obviously be paying more in the end compared to | | | | usually these are quite basic and you won't get the |
| someone who can do it all themselves in their own | | | | detail you need to build the buggy properly. |
| garage/workshop. | | | | Also make sure the company you are buying the |
| But most of the time its cheaper (and more fun!) to | | | | plans from has some kind of support you can call on |
| build a buggy yourself. For most people this is easily | | | | in case you get stuck and need some advice, this |
| achievable in their own garage or workshop as long | | | | could be as simple as a user form that has members |
| as you have some basic tools and machinery or you | | | | that have constructed their own buggies and are |
| have access to some, you know things like a welder, | | | | willing to give you advice for free. This is invaluable |
| tube bender, grinder, drill press, you get the picture. I | | | | when building your buggy. |
| should mention that you can hire these things too if | | | | For me personally, building my own dune buggy is |
| you want to or just take the specialized tasks to | | | | one of the most fun and most rewarding projects I |
| your local engineering shop. Usually when you tell the | | | | have done. From cutting the first piece of steel to |
| guys what its for they get pretty interested and will | | | | firing up the engine for the first time is a fantastic |
| want to know more about your project and up | | | | feeling and i definitely recommend to those of you |
| giving you a good price! | | | | who are considering it. |
| I highly recommend NOT designing your own dune | | | | |