New Trail Rig or Buggy - Ideas???

[1MadEngineer]

Ok, it is time to finally use all the bits i've got and put a rig together.
Ideas are required?

criteria - trail rig, probably wont ever see comp duty, simple, strong and functional (gotta hold some gear for o'night expeditions)

option - tube buggy (single seater) similar to either the Avalanche Eng ASSASSIN or TOYFAMILY's buggy (pirate) OR a full bodied tube exo'd LWB Zook body.

Bits/Parts (already collected) - engines to pick from 1.holden 202 trimatic 3000rpm stall dual t/cases 2. Holden/brock VH 308 (200kw) turbo700 and cruiser t/case. both on LPG
diffs - hilux rear bundera front w/longs 5.29's. Steering and suspension full hydro F&R. 3link f&r w/ 12" hydro rams over coilovers.
tyres - ? the bigger the better, would love to try XML's on the trail or 46" claws.

OK let the ideas flow, this is a pure trail rig and nothig is too hard to make as i have a full CNC machine shop at my disposal.

[1MadEngineer]

here is the Toyfamily rig

[Damo]

Single seater, tube, V8, big tyres, as light as possible. Not sure how those 'lux axles will hold up tho.

But since you're not gonna comp it a V8 exo'd lwb zook would be cool, and give you a bit more room for gear.

[MY45]

Im thinking very seriously about a lwb zook with 40's axels,37"tires,all tubed but std bonnet, and some major reduction gears. So i'm keen as to hear what people think about this.

[MY45]

A v8 zook would need major mods. . . to think of it would a v8 even fit. I really cant see the need for a v8 if you go with the zook. But in the buggy it would be coool

[+dj_hansen+]

Take 1 Hilux Xtra-Cab Shell... drop on a tube frame... major guard cutting to fit 46" Claws.. cut the engine bay to fit the 308.. and a custom tray back for all your gear.


Similar to that Cut down RangeRover from 4WD monthly a few issues ago... that looked mean

[beebee]

Essentially YOU have to make the decision between a full comp vehicle or a road registered trail toy. Both have obvious attractions but the way that I see it is you can still compete in a trail toy but you cant go touring in a full comp rig. Just depends if you want the hassle of trailering your vehicle everywhere. Registered vehicles will allow you to enter more comps as well. Full comp would be sick though

BTW hydro (active) suspension may not be allowed in some comps.

[Area54]

Essentially YOU have to make the decision between a full comp vehicle or a road registered trail toy. Both have obvious attractions but the way that I see it is you can still compete in a trail toy but you cant go touring in a full comp rig. Just depends if you want the hassle of trailering your vehicle everywhere. Registered vehicles will allow you to enter more comps as well. Full comp would be sick though

BTW hydro (active) suspension may not be allowed in some comps.

Yep, most comps involve a fair amount of road travel (3+ hours average), and unless you have the logistics organised to trailer a rig there (Tow rig and trailer) along with all the spares, tools and tyres, not to mention sleeping gear and food. I vote for the competitive streetable trail rig, can do more things than just compete in the designated class (ie outlaw), can go for a drive almost anywhere for a play (without having to worry about your tow rig back at the trail head) and will not suffer as much from the 'last years technology' problem.

[Surfection]

In my opinion the LWB zook based 'creation' is best for now, as like ruff you could get away with running it on the street a bit, but in the long run i think you would regret it as the comp scene starts to take off [fingers crossed] and you wish you had something more suitable. It'd suck to have to do it all again when you could have done it differently in the first place. I would go the tube frame, but definatly single seater, and i'd keep it on the smaller side of HUGE, i think the assasin above would look much more in proportion with smaller tyres etc.... but that's just my opinion
Here's some pics anyway.

[big red]

i'd go for strength and reliability first
maybe a mogzuki with the V8