TheSamba.com :: View topic - Roll Bar in a T-Bucket buggy?

Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:38 am

I'm looking for pics of roll bars/cages on dune buggies to try and get an idea of what I'm looking at, as far as fabrication. I've had a number of people ask me if I'm going to do a cage or bar, but haven't seen any on my specific body style. I think if I see some on the regular buggy body, I may be able to figure something out? PLEASE POST SOME PICS! Whats your thought? Thanks Everyone.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:59 am

I think you might want to look at some truck roll bars

Most pick up roll bars are mounted in the front end of the bed. Your bed is so narrow a simple rollbar would look odd. Some trucks have bars that make right angle outward bends right above the bed, then angle back in as they go up. Kind of like a flat top mushroom.

You could also mount it on the outside of the bed, right behind the tub and follow the tubs rear curve upward.

Whatever you do, don't have it anywhere near to where you could hit your head against it in crash.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:56 am

I wouldn't bother...just drive carefully and maybe fit some more modern radial tires and you're unlikely to ever roll it. It's still way safer than a motor cycle.

Nice car by the way!!!

Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:51 pm

Cant help you with the roll bar, just wanted to tell you I LOVE your buggy/truck ! Thats cool as hell !

Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:17 pm

I got some new shoes today for her. It's slowly but surly coming back together. I cut and turned the front beam, rebuilt the entire pan from scratch, and re-fabbed the rear end structure that holds the bed in place. I opted for the Cooper cobras. I found a place online that had them pretty cheap, "$365" and Discount matched them. Here's a pic!

Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:24 pm

Here's another pic, this is the back just to give an idea of the tire width. The bed and body are just sitting on the pan so it looks a little out of wack.

Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:31 pm

not a real T bucket but should work the same, it sat on the rear ledge but continued to the frame
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Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:09 pm

That buggy is awesome!

Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:39 pm

Are you going to leave it fenderless? It looks great!!!

Thu Nov 19, 2009 4:19 pm

Here is a buggy with a regular buggy roll bar.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/ctd/1467642764.html

Thu Nov 19, 2009 6:04 pm

I'm not sure yet, the problem is the fender are all that really holds it all together. Now that I have the rubber on, my motivation came back. I need to keep pushing to get this down the road. I have the motor built already. I went with a 1600 just for reliability and cost. I need all the help I can get keeping the prices down with this. There's quite a few things that are gonna cost me. Rubber, gauges, upholstery, etc etc. I'm sure you all know what I'm saying. Peace!

Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:03 pm

I think, from and engineering background, that any cage incorporated into this style buggy would be unsafe to ride in.

Since I am a stunt double, I will take it off your hands to help a fellow man be safe.

These have become my favorite style of buggy. Keep on posting pictures!

Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:13 pm

Jeee thanks! I think DETHTRAP would be a good license plate! Unfortunately, I think a lot of people would get mad if I just gave it away! except the person who got it of course.

Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:16 pm

More pics: Here's a couple of the pan work.

Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:19 pm

This is one after I shot it with Raptor Liner. Great product, easy to shoot, $99 bucks with the gun. Urethane based 2 part, mix and shoot.

Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:02 am

To keep your look, I would suggest a simply single bar without additional braces. But most "real deals" don't have any bars. Check out the galleries for ideas. http://www.tbucket.com/ And if you run across another one of those bodies, let me know - Would make a bitchin' woodie.......

Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:58 pm

My light bulb is dimming and the squirrel cage is slowing. I'm trying to figure out how to attach the front nose cone without having the fenders on. Doing the very front is easy, I can just build a frame and bolt it. But the rear where it comes to the firewall, I'm stuck. I need a way to attach it without putting holes into it. Anybody? If I have to do holes I was thinking something like the Dzus fasteners. I don't know........

Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:33 pm

Here's a pic of the front before I tore it down.

Sun Nov 22, 2009 5:53 am

Not sure what your issue is - are asking how to hold it down at the cowl? That looks pretty easy - use what you have, just a tab under ther hood to attach it to. Its going to be behind your front tire anyway. Thats what the real deals did.