[atexaschevy4x4]

well to those who saw the 39 chevy i was gna restore, it got sold

SO...

im gna start a new project...





basicly its gna b an oversized go cart/dune buggy. i plan to fabricate a custom chassis, use either a 235 I6 or a 295 I6, manual trans, and a rear differential from a new model corvette. ill have to create a steering and suspension system from scratch.


any advice?

[BossChevy62]

If you want to build a decent dune buggy, I wouldnt use a corvette diff. The suspension travel on a corvette is nothing, and its very expensive, not to mention the transmission mounts directly to the diff. You would be better off buying an old clunker 4x4 (jeep, ford, chevy, whatever) and ripping the body off, then chopping up the frame to your taste, then just drop the motor in. That way you have 4x4, a suspension to work with, steering, brakes, and everything you need to complete the project for a lot less money. It would be a more capable rig once its done, and you could put some 35's on it if you wanted and have the meanest dune buggy around. Thats just my two cents..

[atexaschevy4x4]

yea, i kinda figured that the corvette diff would b expensive, but i cant find very many IRS differentials fer cheap... ive also thot about first gen toyota supra rear diffs too


wats the avg suspension travel of a IRS rear end?

[matt167]

why do you need IRS?

[atexaschevy4x4]

well i figure that being a dune buggy it would need independent suspension all around rather than solid axels...

[powerrodsmike]

Sand rails and dune buggies benefit from an IRS because it helps keep all of the wheels on the ground over rough terrain...lots of suspension articulation is the key to good traction .(and not getting stuck...as much )

An IRS from an early datsun 510, 240/260/280 Z car or a Supra would probably work well, the center sections are strong enough to take some HP, (IIRC 240 Z guys used the 510 rear ends because they were stronger..go figure), They are small enough to give you some decent length half shafts, (although I don't think you'd get the same travel as a VW with the swinging axle setup) I'd check out some of the 4 wheel drive magazines that have some articles about sand rails and dune buggies.


The trick setup for rockcrawlers is to use a hydraulic pump, and drive the wheels at the axle stub with a hydraulic motor. You can get about 3 feet of travel that way.


I know some of the new full time all wheel drive cars with IRS have dinky little rear differentials...I looked at the one in my wifes subaru and it looks like it could handle about 4HP....

There is a guy here who knows some about that stuff, his screen name is Triaged, he may be able to help point you in the right direction.

Another guy named metal twister makes sand rail frames as a business, you might PM those guys.

Metaltwister has a homepage, check it out..http://www.bengelsoff-road.com/homepage/homepage.html


Later, mikey

[atexaschevy4x4]

thanks, that definatly helps

really the reason i wanna build a dune buggy is cuz ive been around welding, fabricating, racing, and offroadin...but ive never actually done it

this way, if i build one from the ground up, designing my own steering, suspension, drivetrain, and chassis...it will give me the hands on experience of doin it myself