How to Build a Dune Buggy [Paperback]

Motorbooks International (Author), Earl Duty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2002

All the steps necessary to build a dune buggy are outlined and illustrated in this 221-page book. Learn how to select and paint a frame, install a steering gear box, tie rods and steering shaft, hook up the transmission, overhaul your engine and wire your buggy. A great guide for both the novice and experienced dune buggy enthusiast.

Product Details

• Paperback: 221 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks International (September 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880524260
• ISBN-13: 978-1880524268
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #280,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great book for someone trying to build a dirt cheap buggy., April 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Build a Dune Buggy (Paperback)

This book is perfect for someone that wants to build a buggy and spend the least amount of cash possible. It covers most all the basics.

If you are planning on building a full on sand/race machine, you may just want this as a hand reference. The case buggy they build is designed for street use and some mild offroading, not exactly what serious offroaders are looking for. The book is based more around building a buggy for price rather than performance.

If you are wanting to upgrade you machine to a true racer, this is not the book. While the section on engines is good, there not a section covering increasing suspension travel or upgrading a transmission. He mentions the different types of frames, but doesn't cover the + and - of each. If anyone knows of a book that covers these topics, please email me: [e-mail]

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good but lacking information, September 17, 2002

By 

Kleber Navarro Figueiredo (Campinas, Sao Paulo Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Build a Dune Buggy (Paperback)

As the title says "build an dune buggy" are lacking the words "without build the chassis". This book describes the
process on building an dune buggy only conecting the parts.
There are lacking details about build the chassis.
Overall this is a good book. The chapter about the engine
is very good and teaches you how to overhaul the VW air-cooled
engine. There is a good section about brakes. As a reference
book I recommend but this book isn't it for build an dune
buggy from scratch.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Competent, fairly thorough., August 9, 2001

By 

"gonzo_442" (CHERRYVILLE, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Build a Dune Buggy (Paperback)

Overall, it is a good book. It reads easily, ample pictures to illustrate points to those who may not be too familiar with this hobby. It's focus is more towards building a buggy from a kit, or at least, buying a commercial frame and customizing the rest to your needs. Those who are looking for principles behind the design of custom built buggies will not find a whole lot of help. General information and suggestions might be pulled from its pages, but a reference for custom builds it isn't.

A few minor layout and editing goofs were the only thing that mars an otherwise good book. A few paragraphs had lost their ends and there was one major skip that i feel should have definately been caught by the proofers.