jbain8

The engine is going into a buggy alot like the ones in my pictures. Getting ready to clean up the D/R and attach it then a transfer case and some lock in lock out hubs and I'll be ready to go.

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showphoto.php?photo=17211&ppuser=21072 I don't know if that worked or not but if it didn't check out my almost finished motor in my pictures.

Hey Jon thanks for the reply so have you guys started any new projects lately? Also check you messages. Jer

Thanks Scott, so what strut has the most range? What would you use if you didn't have to worry about mounting issues? Also I'm going to try and make this thing street legal.....Virginia is pretty easy on "Specialty Constructed Vehicles"

Ok guys here is what I'm thinking for my own rig.....start out with a donor 90-94 legacy EJ22. I'll use the engine, dash, wiring harness and engine cradle. To mount the cradle instead of putting a lift on the buggy I'll move the cradle up 5 inches to allow an axle up front using an EA81 crossmember and control arms (moved forward about 12 inches to improve approach angle and the lower crossmember will act as a skidplate for the oilpan/exhaust system.) I'm using the 81 stuff vice the 82 because I've read that the mod is easier with the 82 stuff....but what about the legacy stuff how are those axles? With the engine up higher it will allow the transfer case to be installed higher allowing for more ground clearance and of course improved gearing. The buggy will be lengthened about 2 feet and widened at the rear to allow for a rear seat like Sweet 82 has in his buggy. I would like to use an Automatic instead of a standard for crawling purposes and I've read all about the 4EAT modified to lock up. I understand that most don't like the auto's because of gearing but doesn't the tcase and a big trans cooler fix that issue? Or is there a better auto out there that would work better? This buggy is a blank slate and the guy's can make it work so let me know what you think......Jer

The rims are 12 x 12 blanks they had to drill them out the tires are 26 inch ATV tires. As for a weldable kit for under a grand I'll talk with him and see what's up.....it would be nice to be able to own a nice buggy without spending a ton of cash doing it.

This whole thing started because I'm not a big fan of ATV's....it just seems to me if your going out to have fun that requires your fingers to be wrapped firmly around a steering wheel. So I started my research...I looked at the chinese stuff and it looks like it would last about a week in West Virginia before it was scrap metal. So I looked into the rage buggies and one seater stuff that's run off of a motorcycle engine. It looked fun but you can't take anyone with you....so I found the Rhino Buggy like Sweet 82 has but I picked the Stalker style and I ordered the plans. I showed the plans to my buddy and he really liked the Suby concept but not so much the buggies looks. I'm in the Navy so I deployed overseas for six months and when I got back him and my brother had set down and came up with this. The first generation one didn't look so good it didn't have very much rake in it and the body was all metal and weighed alot. This is the second generation buggies and they are already working on a third generation with a larger wheel base and maybe some flat fenders up front. I've got them looking at putting a small bed on the back like a Rhino has so it can double as a farm buggy when it's not busy on the ATV trails.

I don't think it would be all that expensive to bend up and weld the pipe expecially if you built a jig. I'll have to talk with him and see if I can get him to shoot some video and send it to me and maybe I can post it.

This is what old Dirt Track Racers do when racing becomes too expensive ....These guy's have built lots of race cars over the years so the transition wasn't too hard for them.

Go to my photo gallery to check out pics of the buggy during construction and without the sheet metal

I'll talk with him Mike and see if he has any photo's of the buggy before sheet metal and I'll have him take some more of the inside. Last night he sent me the picture of the black one that they just finished and took out on it's maden run....they rolled the tire off the right front. This is my first time trying to do an attachment so if it doesn't work just look in my gallery I put it there also. The nose on this one is a little longer because they opted for the radiator in the front to make room in the back for a passenger.

Mike W check out the link in Sweet 82's post to go to other pics, as for the T-case I am actually researching that right now....I'm definately going with it and since the frame hasn't been started yet It'll be easier to fabricate. No kit Brian just a couple guy's and a fab shop making it up as they go. You might talk him into building you the cage and then you just bolt on your parts.

Thanks for the assist on the link....and with such a low center of gravity you can definately hang on a hillside....In WV we have plenty of those.

Chopped it down to 72 inches....I just wish it wasn't so wide.

After catching the Suby bug he bought up every old car he could find. He plans on starting on the 3rd generation soon and needs all the parts he can find.

I don't know why but I don't have permission to post a pic so please go to the photo gallery under JBAIN8 and check out the pics of the offroad buggy built by a good friend of mine. It all started with me showing him a pic of Sweet 82's buggy along with some pics from the Rhino Buggy website and six months later when I get back form deployment (I'm in the Navy) this was the finished product. Mine is next and it's going to be Suby blue with a yellow cage and all the cool suby decals. To answer the questions I know are comming the nose is short because the radiator is in the back. The pic on top of the cars was not staged it did climb up there on it's own (lincoln locked in the rear) all the parts come from a carbed EA82 and check out the full suby dash with working speedo, tac, and all guages. So please let me know what you think.

Numbchux...I considered the six lug option and where that would be the cheapest and easiest I want to run ATV tires and I cant find those in 15 inch...If I could I would definately go that way. Sweet 82...what coilovers did you use on the back?

Thanks for the input Numbchux...I will have to do some research on the EJ22 motor. Big thanks to Sweet 82 also but I love the way this buggy looks so this is what I want to build. Thanks for the heads-up on the RHD to LHD as well as the piece #9 that will definately save me alot of headaches. I read a post on where you got your rims and I'll definately have to talk to you later on ordering me a set. I've looked at new 6 lug rims and adapters but in the long run have a set custom made is cheaper in the long run. I will probobly take your advice and wait to start construction till I'm there but living in VA Beach and building in West Virginia where my support base lives will make getting it done a very long process. Thanks again everyone for the inputs and by the way this is a great site.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions...To answer Sweet I want a trail buggy I also will not be jumping the buggy I just want a get around off road rig. Did you put the EA 81 in yours and if so how does it work out? I intend to go with 25's or 26 inch tires so just wondering if going with an updated power plant would help or would the weight hurt my nose weight. I'm going on deployment to the Gulf in a couple weeks and I have a guy ready to start cutting and bending my steel. That way when I return next summer I will be able to build it myself with the hard part out of the way. Also what do you guy's think about an Automatic s/r tranny in a moderate trail rig? I've located alot of these cars. Again I'm looking for a rig to take offroad and moderate wheeling.

OK..so your saying to take a rear diff and mount it in the front of the buggy. Then a transfercase and new driveshafts? It makes sense...have you seen anyone else do it?

Thanks Scott..didn't think about putting a rear diff up front, that would solve the nose heavy issue with the added weight of an EJ motor. I would like to stay with ATV tires though...I plan on spending alot of time with ATV's and would kind of like to fit in as much as possible....I also like the way it looks.

Hello all...I'm new to the site and was hoping to get your suggestions on an engine/trans for my strictly off-road buggy. I'm in the Navy and retiring to West Virginia in a couple years..at home ATV's rule but I'd much rather drive than ride. I have about 5k and 1 year to finish my project. I just received my Stalker plans from Rhino Buggies (same company as Sweet 82..by the way nice buggy your posts answered alot of questions for me) and I plan to make changes to the plans to fit my needs. The plans call for an EA 81 with D/R tranny, however, I was thinking of an EA 82 for the fuel injections and 5 speed trans. If you guy's had a blank slate and 5k...what would be your combo? Sweet 82 do you think Summer is nose heavy?...Would using an EJ motor for HP add too much extra nose weight? Thanks in advance for any suggestions....Remember this is a strictly off road application.

I have been looking for weeks on how this is done. I'm in the US Navy and getting ready to retire, the STALKER by Rhino Buggies is my dream off road vehicle. I love the stance with the 12x12 rims but was afraid I would have to settle for the 15"s. Glad to see there is someone I can ask questions once I get my plans and get started.