Our
body is intended to be installed on a standard beetle pan that has been
shortened 14.5 inches. It can be installed on either swing arm or IRS
rear suspension beetles. Shortening the pan is not a complicated job at
all and a little prep will see you through in short order. The body installs
on the same mounting holes as the original body except that you drill
up from underneath to line them up. Most of the parts that you will need
to build a basic dune buggy are already on the bug that you will use to
build your dune buggy. You can customize your dune buggy at your leisure
or order custom parts from a supplier before you even start.
If you don't want to build your own or don't think you can, have us build it for you instead. Again, you can either supply the donor beetle or have us hunt one down for you and just pick your colour and accessories.
If you are looking for a donor bug, her are some of the things you want to look for;
If you don't want to build your own or don't think you can, have us build it for you instead. Again, you can either supply the donor beetle or have us hunt one down for you and just pick your colour and accessories.
If you are looking for a donor bug, her are some of the things you want to look for;
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Try and find a beetle that is at least a 1967 so that it is 12 volt, the older ones will probably have to be converted, at some additional cost.
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The 1600cc engines are the best and will have dual port intakes for more power, the AE series of engines are great.
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If you can find a motor with an alternator or fuel injection, grab it.
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The ignition switch is on the column on the newer units, which is very convenient and looks good.
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The newer units also have shoulder harness seat belts which will attach to your roll bar.
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You will also like the security of a dual master brake cylinder, some of the old beetles had a single system.
Super Beetles can't be converted, but, you can use the rear of a Superbeetle and the front of a standard beetle if you want to. -
Save everything but the body from your dune beetle, for your dune buggy.
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Sell the body if you can, and maybe the person who wants the body will take it off for you too.
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Look for deals, you might just find a beetle that already has mag wheels on it that would be great for your dune buggy.
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Any custom engine parts are a bonus, look for a car that has a bad body but great mechanics.
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Don't worry too much about the floor pan, it can be replaced.
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Check the outside rails on the pan, they are the most important, if they are solid, you are in business.
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Look under the back seat at the floor, don't let holes in the pan scare you off, it's the rails around the frame that need to be solid. Some rust is not a big deal, but if the frame edges are rusted through, you may only want the engine from that car.
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Try to buy a beetle that is running, and try to avoid the old ones that were left in a field somewhere. Grass will grow up and rust out all of the frame, remember it's the edges of the pan frame that are important. If you step on the running board and the edge of the pan it falling apart, leave it.
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If you can't drive it before you buy it, offer next to nothing for it as likely there will hidden expenses later.
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Obtain a legal transfer form and the original registration for the beetle you intend to use for your dune buggy. You will need the paperwork to get your dune buggy on the road and into your name.
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Get a buddy who knows about VW's to come with you when you look for your donor beetle, and listen to him/her.
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If you don't weld yourself, farm out the welding to someone who does.
Frequently
asked Questions:
Q: Can I get any colour I want in the body?
A: Yes, base colours are red, yellow and white, others may cost a little bit more.
Q: How fast can the body be made?
A: If we don't have your colour in stock, about two weeks, or less.
Q: Do you sell completed units?
A: Yes, prices on request, we can build them and ship them to you, anywhere in North America.
Q: How will I know if a complete unit is street legal in my state or province?
A: Contact your local Motor Vehicle Office and get the guidelines for your area. We haven't found an area in North America where our complete units are not street legal, but it is up to you to determine the laws in your area.
Q: Do you have any used dune buggies?
A: No, we sell only new bodies and new completed units.
Q: Do you sell wholesale?
A: Yes, most of our bulk sales are wholesale. If you are a dealer contact us with information about your firm, location, tax number etc.
Q: Can I buy a body without any colour in it, so I can paint it later?
A: Yes, we suggest the unit be made in white so if you scratch your paint it isn't going to be see through. You can still paint over any colour we make.
Q: What parts will I need to buy, other than a complete donor bug, if I decide to build my own dune buggy?
A: This depends on what you want to accomplish in the way of a finished dune buggy. You can stay with many stock items including seats but you will likely want to replace the following; wheels and tires, seats, exhaust system, brake lines and steering wheel. You will need to purchase the following: Windshield bracket and glass, a gas cap that will attach to the hood and headlight cases. These are readily available at all VW suppliers and if you have trouble we'll give you a contact or two.
Q: How much will it likely cost me to build a complete dune buggy?
A: Tough one, it depends on what you want it to look like when you are done. Basic is probably about $1,250.00 U.S. and up if you supply the labor to build it. Custom units that appear in VW magazines can be worth up to $35,000.00 retail, depending on engine, paint and many other custom fabricated parts and pieces. Most of those custom projects are made by the owner and have been fined tuned for years. Your dune buggy is a project, you don't need to do everything at once.
Q: Can I get any colour I want in the body?
A: Yes, base colours are red, yellow and white, others may cost a little bit more.
Q: How fast can the body be made?
A: If we don't have your colour in stock, about two weeks, or less.
Q: Do you sell completed units?
A: Yes, prices on request, we can build them and ship them to you, anywhere in North America.
Q: How will I know if a complete unit is street legal in my state or province?
A: Contact your local Motor Vehicle Office and get the guidelines for your area. We haven't found an area in North America where our complete units are not street legal, but it is up to you to determine the laws in your area.
Q: Do you have any used dune buggies?
A: No, we sell only new bodies and new completed units.
Q: Do you sell wholesale?
A: Yes, most of our bulk sales are wholesale. If you are a dealer contact us with information about your firm, location, tax number etc.
Q: Can I buy a body without any colour in it, so I can paint it later?
A: Yes, we suggest the unit be made in white so if you scratch your paint it isn't going to be see through. You can still paint over any colour we make.
Q: What parts will I need to buy, other than a complete donor bug, if I decide to build my own dune buggy?
A: This depends on what you want to accomplish in the way of a finished dune buggy. You can stay with many stock items including seats but you will likely want to replace the following; wheels and tires, seats, exhaust system, brake lines and steering wheel. You will need to purchase the following: Windshield bracket and glass, a gas cap that will attach to the hood and headlight cases. These are readily available at all VW suppliers and if you have trouble we'll give you a contact or two.
Q: How much will it likely cost me to build a complete dune buggy?
A: Tough one, it depends on what you want it to look like when you are done. Basic is probably about $1,250.00 U.S. and up if you supply the labor to build it. Custom units that appear in VW magazines can be worth up to $35,000.00 retail, depending on engine, paint and many other custom fabricated parts and pieces. Most of those custom projects are made by the owner and have been fined tuned for years. Your dune buggy is a project, you don't need to do everything at once.