Buggy Frames. Whats hot, whats not.

[VooDoo]

Now i have some decent Diff's, a spare LS1 engine, Wheels, Transfer cases etc its time to actually get them all into a car. Im not going to ever try and win Tough Truck but i might go have some fun as a social wheeler. I have basic skills but not to the standard of building a frame from scratch. Mounting seats, tanks, tabs, dash, floors, wiring etc i can do easy enough but im looking at buggy frames already welded or getting someone like Buds / Brooksy to make something up. The Superior frame is long the lines of what im after but even with the tubes all lazer cut im not confidant enough that my welds will hold enough to stay safe. Ive looked at a few frames in the USA but when you add 3-4k in shipping that could be spent with a local id rather something here.

So who in QLD / NSW should i be talking to?

[WICKED]

Buds Customs!

[evanstaniland]

That's all you post these days Benny! You get commission on posting?

Overkill engineering are doing nice chassis work!

[WICKED]

That's all you post these days Benny! You get commission on posting?

Overkill engineering are doing nice chassis work!

Lol I wish.

I don't know who else too suggest.
There is 2 guys that would build killer frame's but they have day jobs and are both already building for other guys.
Goat Build are nice but at there price I'd want a chassis rail for TTC.
Waiting to see how/if yours turns out from Overkill.
Those Artec chassis are no where too be seen.
DragTec has closed up AFAIK.
Who else is there?

[WICKED]

Don't know if they have or do chassis but could try OPW

[MogLux]

There are plenty of chassis out there to buy plans for...

MIne is Hellraiser chassis... easy plans to use, cheap and a few different designs

[RED60]

I thought bru21 on here had one for sale or it may have been only materials to construct one...

[MARKx4]

Im pretty sure Superior can supply there frame fully welded with all suspension and drive line mounts already fitted so all you have to do is bolt everything up to it, give them a call.

Mark.

[bru21]

Mines sold sorry! (ultra 4 not TT).

[GUtripper]

Call Brayden.

[evanstaniland]

dont rue out all the chassis builders in america. freight is cheap!

[WICKED]

Im pretty sure Superior can supply there frame fully welded with all suspension and drive line mounts already fitted so all you have to do is bolt everything up to it, give them a call.

Mark.

$6000+ for a frame welded. Mounts are all a couple of hundred each. But easy

[WICKED]

dont rue out all the chassis builders in america. freight is cheap!

Trent fab
Wide open designs
Jimmy's 4x4
Bomber

[VooDoo]

dont rue out all the chassis builders in america. freight is cheap!

You sure? Ive been quoted $140 for some brake line clips and 2 radiator hoses. I'd spend up to 8-10k for a frame landed in Brisbane. I havent really followed the scene over there to know who does what and who is decent. IM leaning more to a local who i can drop the diff's to and come pickup a roller for me to do the rest on.

[WICKED]

dont rue out all the chassis builders in america. freight is cheap!

You sure? Ive been quoted $140 for some brake line clips and 2 radiator hoses. I'd spend up to 8-10k for a frame landed in Brisbane. I havent really followed the scene over there to know who does what and who is decent. IM leaning more to a local who i can drop the diff's to and come pickup a roller for me to do the rest on.

You can also have input, stop by the shop, change things add things, etc.
I stand by my first reply. Bud's Customs

[toughnut]

My Artec U4 chassis is 4k plus shipping and includes suspension mounts. I would have trouble building one for that. Mick imports the goat built chassis kits into OZ from the states and you can either buy one as a flat pack or he can weld it up for you and will also pass CAMS rules so you can have a crack at class 8 if you wanted. His prices were based around the Artec prices to start with and as far as I can remember it would have been on my doorstep from him for about 5k which is similar to what it will end up costing me. Best bet is to call around and talk with guys in person.

There are some smart guys around the place with a lot of good info. But you need to sift through the uninformed guys and just plain idiots to find them. Buying local should mean you'll have a chassis much faster than getting one from the states. Myself and the others bringing in the Artec chassis' started this process last August and they still haven't left the states.

[bru21]

Im bringing in my gear through Peter Leahy,
My TT chassis cost 2k all up to ship.
It took up the entire rear of a hilux workmate to about 700mm high.
From memory it's $149 per wm ( 1m3 or 1 tonne whatever is greater) plus GST, duty (if not USA made) and fees.

If you can use Aussie guys go for it! I'm a big supporter of Australian manufacturing!

My only thought is the steel is WAY dearer here 187% difference on the 2" I am bringing in.

For example my steel bill from the US is over 3k and that's after the floor is done. Here it was close to 5k.
Dom might be cheaper, but I would assume its the same percentage difference.

Makes a goat built look cheap.

Cheers bru

[evanstaniland]

Sea freight is cheap. You can get a good chassis in the states from 3500-5000 and a top one up to 8k.

You can then use a shop here to link it if your un able to/ don't want to.

[MogLux]

BUILD one yourself.... mine cost me $1500 to build the frame including link mounts .. $7000 to fully complete the buggy not the $20K + everyone else is spending on an event that doesnt even exist in OZ yet.. Build for fun first not the hope something will happen..

The USA setups will be completely different to the OZ setups, we dont have the size the area and the terrian they do...

[evanstaniland]

not everyone has the time matt. and just cos yours only cost 7K doesnt mean much. your driveline wasnt expensive. sometimes paying is for convenience. buying a chassis then getting it finished is picking the look of your convenience.

[toughnut]

Deleted. Not worth it.

[turbo gu]

If your going to build something make it suitable for as many different events eg, Aust4, TT, class 8 etc.
Building it for 1 style event in Aus is pretty risky as you could end up with a garage dust collector.
As Matt said build it for fun first

[VooDoo]

BUILD one yourself.... mine cost me $1500 to build the frame including link mounts .. $7000 to fully complete the buggy not the $20K + everyone else is spending on an event that doesnt even exist in OZ yet.. Build for fun first not the hope something will happen..

The USA setups will be completely different to the OZ setups, we dont have the size the area and the terrian they do... [/size]

While i do have the tools to do this id prefer to get the chassis done by a pro for safety. My welds are fine for a trailer or mounting brackets etc but not when i have a 500hp buggy. There is a lot of skill involved and the guys that do it for a living will have forgotten more than ill ever know and i have no issue paying for that expertise. Like i said, im not going to try and win comps but i don't compromise on safety especially on roll cages. I know at some point ill put the thing on its roof.

My drive-line is already here and if you knew how much it all cost me you would be around with a cheque book in seconds. Im not worried if there isnt an "event" as such, my motivation in building a buggy is different to most. I havent looked into other classes but will do so when ive spoken to the chassis builder to ensure IF i choose to enter events the buggy is close to what may be required. I do value everyone's opinion though but for me building the frame just isnt an option i'd consider. I have received a few PM's with some very good options and will work through those as required.

[VooDoo]

COOL, I CAN PRINT A BUGGY NOW....

I HATE SPAMMERS

[Ice]

wow 3d printing has progressed, first it was guns and now buggies

[SCANAS]

I like how you have a spare LS1 lying around, kinda implies you have a few lying around and you probably do.

If you want contact details for the leahys I've got Gregs number.

[VooDoo]

I like how you have a spare LS1 lying around, kinda implies you have a few lying around and you probably do.

If you want contact details for the leahys I've got Gregs number.

You would surprised what i have laying around here

[rockcrawler31]

After dealing with suppliers in both the US and here i'd say 90 percent of your battle with getting a chassis out of the states is actually getting them to answer the phone, call you back, get shit done...... It's like you have to work to get them to take your cash. Then after all the issues with freight and GST to get a frame here, if there's a problem with it good luck on the warranty issue.

Local builders here will charge you an arm and a leg (and rightly so given the time involved) to build a chassis.

This is why even after all the hard work i would STILL go the goatbuilt frame, or a similar flatpack/plan frame. That way the R&D s already done for geometry/fitting driveline/proportions and you just go ahead and assemble it.

M

[evanstaniland]

When I was looking at a chassis in the US they were very helpful with quotes and all.

[dirty harry]

Dave Camp has a buggy frame he built for a guy who's change his mind.
I can pm you his phone number.