TheSamba.com :: View topic - Fiberglass Dune Buggy Rear Seat help needed please.

Thu May 22, 2008 9:27 am

:? I just purchased a fiberglass dune buggy and need help with regard to finding or making a rear seat/cushion. The rear seat bottom area measures 39" wide and 19 1/2" deep, that's the part a person sits on. The back cushion would need to measure about 14" tall and again 39" wide or a little less. Do I have to have this seat/cushions custom made and if so where do I go? I appreciate any direction you can give me as my 15 year old daughter wants to go along and she can't without a cushion/seat in the rear and seat belts. Thanks!

Thu May 22, 2008 9:51 am

quick search found this
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=221314&start=0

And...since you're in Texas. This Saturday (May 24) the Texas Manx Dune Buggy Club is having their annual show in Salado (@50 miles north of Austin on I-35)
go to http://www.texasmanxclub.com

for more info. You'll see plenty of buggies with back seats and no seats....

Thu May 22, 2008 9:57 am

Thu May 22, 2008 10:50 am

Wow Tom! :shock: Those are awesome looking, great job!

Regards,
Tom

Thu May 22, 2008 11:36 am

Seeing as the dune buggy will survive a Suburban collision as well as a motorcycle, I didn't go nuts with my rear belts. I ran a 1/4" thick x3" Aluminum bar under the rear seat (and under the fiberglass body)and bolted the rear belts to it. You could make this better by tying it to the shock towers.

Also I just used a 3/4" piece of plywood with 3" foam and covered it with a complimentary fabric for the rear seat.

Thu May 22, 2008 1:27 pm

OK, thanks for all the info and so quick! I guess I am going to make my own but am a bit worried about the sewing part of it. I guess my best bet on the fabric/material will be a boat shop or upholstery shop. I didn't think I would really find a stock type rear seat but just wanted to ask to be sure! Thanks again to all! Lisa

Thu May 22, 2008 1:29 pm

Looks Great! Looks too big for a buggy though.

Thu May 22, 2008 3:53 pm

Tom,

Do you ever make full sets like that (seat covers/back seat) for customers? As I could use a full setup like that to match some carpet that I need to order from ya.

Let me know,
Mike

Thu May 22, 2008 4:52 pm

Yes, but I can not say here. Go to DBA and ask there.

Thu May 22, 2008 7:16 pm

MStevens. I see you only have 2 posts, so I figure I'll help you out. DBA= www.dunebuggyarchives.com

Hope this helps,
Jay

Thu May 22, 2008 9:54 pm

Dune buggy= two seats. Tell her to get her own buggy.
JiI

Thu May 22, 2008 10:45 pm

JiI wrote: Dune buggy= two seats. Tell her to get her own buggy.
JiI

Not true, I've got seating for 4. But the car performs better if they are light weight.

Thu May 22, 2008 11:14 pm

Quick fix, take out back seat! :D
JiI

Fri May 23, 2008 6:57 am

Dan the workingstiff wrote: Looks Great! Looks too big for a buggy though.

Whats too big for a buggy????

Sat May 24, 2008 5:09 am

The Back seat appears too big. I'm sure it fits fine it just kinda sorta looks too big :wink:

Sun May 25, 2008 11:23 pm

be awaer when first designed that was not a back seat...

over time most buggys cracked very bad from being used as a seat then people started putting angle iron from shock tower to the other tower,, those bent

like the S suports in front of the fuel tank ,, other years those proved to fail ..

you have steel under your butt,, so get some under your passenger also .. It will save your fiberglass body.

Mon May 26, 2008 5:24 am

towd wrote: be awaer when first designed that was not a back seat...

over time most buggys cracked very bad from being used as a seat then people started putting angle iron from shock tower to the other tower,, those bent

like the S suports in front of the fuel tank ,, other years those proved to fail ..

you have steel under your butt,, so get some under your passenger also .. It will save your fiberglass body.

DITTO!

Mon May 26, 2008 7:46 am

PRP also makes a seat for the rear for 200$ not as nice as what tom makes though.

Mon May 26, 2008 7:47 pm

Is it like Berrien Buggies snap in seat??

The thing that drives me bonkers is seeing a Rail buggy fiberglass bench bolted in the back..... (':roll:')

Wed May 28, 2008 5:59 am

That's precisely why I looked forever for a long pan body. I didn't want my kids riding up there either. They are still small enough that they fit fine tucked in behind the front seats.