Building a Buggy Frame Question

[zgmg54321]

I am building a berry mini t4 when I bought the buggy it came stripped down the previous owner told me that before I could mount the body I needed to reinforce the pan with 2x2 steel tubing all the way around the perimeter of the pan. I was under the understanding that you only needed to add the tubing to lift the body up higher and that it wasn't needed necessarily for structural reinforcing.

[calebmelvin]

You are right, you only need the tube framing for a lift or extra rigidity, but you should post some photos of your pan just to be sure that I was made correctly.
_________________
Caleb
'68 Tagged Manx | My Wanted Ads
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[Dale M.]

It's a personal build issue... If you just want to reinforce a pan you perceive is weak, do it on underside of pan... If you want to raise body up then put tube on top side of pan....

Most (but not all) fiberglass bodies were made to bolt directly to pan.... Some people like concept of raised bodies for various reasons like being able to get windshield higher and more room under steering wheel and move seats back further for more leg room and just like looks of something that sits higher... I am for school the pan is strong enough once body is properly bolted on, and roll cage is properly designed and for low fast look....

Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

[Wolfgangdieter]

If you look at an original VW floor pan (and replica replacements), you'll see that they have a raised U shaped 1 1/2" lip all around the edge on which the fiberglass body bolts. It also strengthens the edge of the pan. Most new repro pans are considerably thinner metal than original ones. Many use flat sheet metal/aluminum to replaced rusted out pans - these need a reinforced lip to bolt the body on to. I like a 1x2" steel perimeter frame - with added reinforcement bars to mount the seats and seat belts to.
_________________
CMC '57 Porsche Speedster Replica and Dolphin boat tailed full pan VW MOD-T Street Buggy

[zgmg54321]

here is the pic of my pan it is in decent shape I just started cleaning the rust up

[zgmg54321]

here is the pic of my pan it is in decent shape I just started cleaning the rust up

[Wolfgangdieter]

Do you still have to shorten it or is it for a full-length pan? It actually looks good - as long as you can't see ground after wire bushing the heck out of it! Battery area and where feet go for pedals is always worse areas.
_________________
CMC '57 Porsche Speedster Replica and Dolphin boat tailed full pan VW MOD-T Street Buggy

[zgmg54321]

it is going to be a full length pan just started wire brushing looks like I am going to replace the pans I have about 1/4 of it done and have 3 separate 3/8"holes

[Wolfgangdieter]

Only 3 small holes isn't bad at all. I'd weld or braze them --- especially if they are original pans. Majority of new pans are very thin. I'd save old if you can. Use POR-15 to protect them.
_________________
CMC '57 Porsche Speedster Replica and Dolphin boat tailed full pan VW MOD-T Street Buggy