I am building my first buggy, and I am getting to the front bump stops. I have a KP front end with stock arms and long travel shocks and torsion leafs. The stock bumps have been cut off. My question is... are front bumps necessary? Will the front skid just bottom out in the dirt? Also, are limiting straps needed as well? If they are needed, pics of different ideas please!

Depends on what your doing I guess. If I was running 200.00 Fox nitrogen shocks I would run limit straps on them. If I am running 12.00 autozone specials (which I am) I would chop the stops and go riding (which I do).

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2332cc Air Cooled Screaming Meanie. Predator Singleseat.

"Lets go get stupid"

Upper and lower stops will prevent your shocks from doing double duty as stops and failing.
I went with upper stops and limiter straps

A more economical way is making a hook and rod limiting set up. click the link.
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk90 ... G_0198.jpg

As you can see my arms still have the hook installed by the arms previous owner.

Anyone with a sledge hammer on their buggy has to give good advice!

The first thing you need to look at is if the tie rods are hitting the frame either when the car is jacked up off the ground, and when the suspension is bottomed out. usually the tie rods are the first thing to hit and also bend. It will depend on how much work was put into mounting the shocks (allowing the front end to travel far enough to hit up and down). Most "racing" shocks can double as light bump stops as long as you are not beating the crap out of them. Limit straps will save the life of the heim ends of your shocks. Without straps, you will be replacing the heim ends often.

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Maybe you should chug on over to mamby pamby land....