Rail buggy frames?

[supertrainguy]

Hi everyone, I'm looking into making my 2 seat buggy into a 4 seat buggy.

I've got 3 ways I can go on this buggy:

1: Have my own design built.

This is a design I made in Blender3d (3d modeling program)
I'm wondering about how much it would cost to have this built.

I was told some huge amount by another member.
Just want your opinion.

2: Buy a pre-built frame.

I'm thinking this would be a good option.
I might can go East coast rails or barrien.

3: Extend the frame I've got.
I've heard that this might not be a good idea due to strength.
Just want your opinion on this.

This is the frame I've got:

I'm in northeast Tennessee, where would the closest/cheapest seller of frames be? I'd like to spend less than $1,500 on the frame/paint regardless of which way I go.
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My cars:
2017 Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible
hobby car: Laser 917 kit car

[Axitech]

I really don't think it would cost all that much more than buying a kit. Of course, modifying an existing unit would be even cheaper. It occurs to me that if you have the drafting skills (you obviously do) you should be able to come up with a very strong unit. I am excited to see that unit you designed be built. That really looks good.
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He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. Luke 22:36


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I think your custom design might not have enough support to keep the roll bars from folding back or forward if you were ever to flip it.
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1974 Standard Beetle to Baja Bug
http://picasaweb.google.com/fvee1234/BajaBug02#

[Mal evolent]

that car is too nice to butcher.

if you aren't obscenely wealthy a new frame already engineered and proven to work would be the most economical route
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73 Beetle Baja, Ghia front brakes, Type 3 rear brakes, 2220 ( 94 X 80 ), Weber Progressive, Bosch SVDA, '97 Mustang seats

Baja Bugs for Volkswagen Virgins: Index

[Vanapplebomb]

[PhillipM]

[shawn407]

A custom frame will run you about 3k , and that's the low end. You are better off buying a frame from berrien for $1200

[ORANGECRUSHer]

Buy a 4 seater knock down kit and then add what you want as you weld it together
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Brian H.

OrangeCrushERBerrien Warrior-2.4L Quad4-2x3 arms-1.5Fox coilovers-094-930CVs
LAZY MARY1970 Baja 2110cc-82mm CB forged crank-AA pistons/cylinders-Grant rings-1.1 vw rockers-CB serpkit-CB chromoly PRs-CB maxiflow filter pump-wix51515 filter-Dual 44IDF-cut/turned front beam-AEM wideband-Auber CHT-Donaldson Dual PowerCore filters-custom AL air boxes

[ORANGECRUSHer]

[Vanapplebomb]

[supertrainguy]

Thanks for the feedback.

Does anyone know how much it would cost to have a welding shop extend my buggy frame I've already got?
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My cars:
2017 Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible
hobby car: Laser 917 kit car

[Vanapplebomb]

Anywhere from next to nothing, to a small fortune...

Honestly though, welding shops are kinda goofy. You can go to one shop and they will quote you one thing, got to another shop and the same job will give you a vastly different quote. Best shot is to look in your Yellowpages under welding, call a few shops, explain what you got and what you want done, grab some quotes, then compare them. I know it is a pain, but it is really the only way to figure it out.
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1800 Type 4 Berrien 295

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021

[shawn407]

its tough to quote that , it literally depends on time , materials are easy

[shred625]

Just get one of these.

http://www.mooreparts.com/2171-CHASSIS-100/
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“It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.”
~ Jack Handey

[shawn407]

[dustymojave]

The one thing lacking in that drawing is rear braces from the C pillar hoop to the upper frame rail. That would solve the issue of fore-aft weakness and is a normal part of a buggy design. Bracing in the front to withstand woods use would be good too.

Moore Parts is "more" than a little proud of their frames. Shipping to Tennessee is likely to be a pretty substantial cost as well.

Berrien is now owned by Acme Car Co. and are still located in Pennsylvania.
http://www.acmecarco.com/
I REALLY DON'T like their web site. The pre-Acme Berrien site was very user friendly. The current version is NOT.

Look at their 4105 4-seat frame. $1012 with torsion welded in. Get their optional "pickup kit" for the rear to make it look like your drawing and add a B-Pillar hoop to the middle of the cockpit. I recommend their offroad kit for woods buggy use, as the standard is a lightweight dune design weak in the front.

The Sandfox is the same 105" with higher side rails for more strength at the same weight, but trades off a little more difficult to enter/exit. It's $120 more than the 4105 and needs the same mods as the 4105.

The Encore is 7" longer WB and $20 more than the Sandfox and again needs the same mods as the 4105.

I like their Stalker 2+2 better, it has a B Pillar. Also the pillars are located farther from the sides of passenger's heads so riders are less likely to clonk on the cage. But the price is getting more like the Moore Parts Expedition. And it too needs the "Offroad Kit" added to the front for woods use. And its wheelbase is longer at 115". More cockpit space, at a trade-off of less maneuverability. You MIGHT be able to get a "pickup kit" for the rear to make it look more like your drawing.
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Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet.

[Vanapplebomb]

Man do I miss Berrien being in Michigan...and their website. I have to agre, their new website is a royal pain in the buns.

That being said, their frames are excellent and well proven. I am a huge fan.
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1800 Type 4 Berrien 295

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021