I have been keeping my eyes out for a buggy for about four or five months. Main goals are cheap, reliable, and street legal. I have a road trip in the works and would like to take the buggy. So what I have come up with around here is a buggy that has been titled as a 2001. I am not sure if that is when it was built. Asking price $3500. After talking to him I know he will take $2700-3k. He also had some interest in the banshee I am looking to get rid of.

What is known is that it has the ford pinto motor in it. The owner bought it a few years ago and doesn't know much about it other than that. He said he thought it was the 2.3 but I would even be happy with the 2.0. For long trips from what I have read the water cooled pinto would be preferred over a VW, also am I correct in assuming that they take better to a turbo than the VWs? Didn't the 2.3 come turbo charged from ford in the late 80's early 90's. It sounded good when I heard it run last week. I do not know engines that well, but the next time I go my mechanic will be going with me. It also looks like there may be a slow oil leak from the oil pan but that is something that I can take care of myself. There is a picture with numbers stamped on the motor. Can anyone let me know what they mean or point me in the right direction to find out?

What is not known, what frame it is on and what trans it has. He thinks it is a bus trans. I would be happy with a 3 rib as of now. After I type this up I am going to go check the trans identification thread. I don't recall if it was on this site or not. I will look further into it but I have pics below. Any help would be appreciated. Like I said earlier, there are possible boost plans down the road, would a 3 rib hold up to mild boost? Mostly street use with occasional dune trips are the main focus as of now.

The lights work. The paint seems to be chipping but it is in acceptable shape for me. Has cutting brakes. If I recall correctly it has American Racing rims, chrome with good tires which is definitely a plus. He said it runs and drives fine. He is going to let me take it out the next time I am there. It went into all gears with out any problems when I sat in it.

If you guys don't mind take a look at the attached pictures. Feel free to comment on anything that you see even if it wasn't about anything I was asking about. This will be my first buggy, and I am trying not to rush into anything without some knowledge. If you see anything wrong and or something that is a plus let me know.

This is my first post. I apologize that it is so long. I want to thank everyone for the information that I have read on this board. This seems like a great place to get started. I have been lurking the forum for a few months now. My photos are too big to attach so I am uploading to photo bucket now. Any info/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Here is the link to my photo bucket.

http://s1003.photobucket.com/albums/af1 ... utysbuggy/

car trans..1983 2.0 out of a truck and look at carb should c a name on it sumwhere...

Damn, that is what my first thought was when I saw it. I guess I can use that as a bargaining tool.

$2500 at the most.
Where are you located?
I know of a buggy with 3.8 chevy v6, 6rib with german superdiff,titled, boggers and beadlocks the guy is asking $3800 for in Tn.
The 6rib with german superdiff alone would cost $900 plus.
If you floor it in 2nd gear, you will see God in less than 2 seconds.

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A good friend will bail you out of jail. A best friend will be sitting next to you saying: "Damn that was fun!"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5wGMaUMXUQ

yea and as i updated my 1st response its only the 2.0 not the 2.3..its about 75 hp and weights 200 pds more than a vw engine

Thanks man. I really appreciate the info. It helps me out a great deal.

Lot of guys running those around here with strokers for street buggies. They are cheep and high geared. But if you get on it you will be stranded. I dont think you will like a 3 rib on the street if you are hitting 55mph+ roads. Got a freind with a pinto, he likes it, but his is highly modified and tempermental. Custom heads, cam, bored, and quad carbs. Not real high HP stock if I remember, but good torque. Good luck. When I bought mine the drive-train was my main concern, so I got one with the parts I wanted on it allready. It's a lot cheeper and will be ready to roll when you get it. Not sure but I think its a berrian Sandfox frame.
http://www.berrienbuggy.com/id31.htm
And I'm not sure if that adapter will work with a bus tranny. Maybe one of these guys will know. Might just need new Pressure plate, clutch, starter and mounts

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Thanks for the info guys. Do you guys think the car trans will hold up to street use as it stands? What would I be looking into for cruising at 55+, and maybe cruising the expressway?

crusing ain't the problem .The problem is the first time you drop the clutch,and you will ,everyone shows out sooner or later then it will coast to a stop ....If it was me I would go another direction. you want a nice ride check out that one Maddog is talking about ...3.8 man that thing would be a hell of a street buggy imo

Who has the 3.8 buggy for sale in TN? I've got a extra 4 grand for a differant rig..been thinking about a hill climber..

PM Maddog he can give you the info

I am located in Michigan and am not looking to spend $4800 at the moment. As of lately this seems to be one of the best options around here.

A buddy of mine[next door neighbor] has it.
It's a good buggy, the weak link is it needs 930s and longer trailing arms, if you're wanting to compete.
It will not bog out on any hill.
I think with 5x5s trailing arms, it would impress anybody.

_________________
A good friend will bail you out of jail. A best friend will be sitting next to you saying: "Damn that was fun!"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5wGMaUMXUQ

He hasn't really budged on his price. I still think I will pick it up this coming weekend. I plan setting it up with a type 1 freeway flier trans and just do a mild build before the trip next year. Depending how it holds up I may possibly think about boost down the road.

He wants 3k in cash or $2700 with a couple single shots I have.

Any other thoughts before I go and purchase it?

Also does are there any pics of the buggy for sale in TN? I would rather not travel that far if need be but I made a little money on the stock market today.

Keep looking

The roof has been raised since this pic, if you're really interested, I can get some fresh pics.
It's a 3.8l chevy with smooth 6rib bus tranny,new 6 puck clutch disk, will fly down the highway effortlessly just like it is.

_________________
A good friend will bail you out of jail. A best friend will be sitting next to you saying: "Damn that was fun!"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5wGMaUMXUQ

I believe it to be 210 hp and 225 lbs. torque, I'd guess it to weigh close to 1700 lbs.

_________________
A good friend will bail you out of jail. A best friend will be sitting next to you saying: "Damn that was fun!"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5wGMaUMXUQ

I wouldn't mind seeing more pics if they area available. Do you know what frame it is on? Does he have a windshield for it?

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/mcy/1455133567.html

This one is also available. It looks good but I probably couldn't do it unless I sold the banshee or he would take 4K.

The frame on the neighbors is much more substantial than your detroit one and it also has computer controlled multiport fuel injection. A glass windshield would probably cost $100 installed. It also has a cool floor-skid pan that extends from the very rear to the front made of 3/4" nylon, like a cutting board is made of.
I'll walk over and get some more pics tomorrow.
It also has disk brakes on the rear, and cnc pedles with hydraulic clutch.
I've seen it pull the front wheels by just flooring it in 2nd gear.
Nobody beats him from redlight to redlight.
It does have a clear Tn. title.

_________________
A good friend will bail you out of jail. A best friend will be sitting next to you saying: "Damn that was fun!"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5wGMaUMXUQ

I'll get the pics tomorrow, I keep forgetting.

_________________
A good friend will bail you out of jail. A best friend will be sitting next to you saying: "Damn that was fun!"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5wGMaUMXUQ

I have seen the buggy Maddog is referring to and it is a STEEL for $3800.. I wish I had the money. I would buy it for the motor, trans and trailing arms...

I am sorry to say this, but I would pass on the Ford Pinto and Car Trans. This combination will not last very long and you will spend a lot more money in the long run.

As for highway speed, my car trans with an 1835 would top out on the highway around 75 and my 3 rib with the same engine would top out around 85. I just upgraded to a 6 rib and a new engine but I have not taken it on the highway yet.

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Actually, I would like to see pics. Can you also pm me his number? I am looking at the red buggy tonight. The guy with the pinto buggy thinks I am coming to pick up his tomorrow. But if he wont budge from 3k and your neighbor wants $3800 I am thinking there may be a road trip this/next weekend. Ask him if he is interested in a banshee ha.

Let me know.

Thanks

Bear in mind this bug is muddy.
Perfect 3800 multiport fuel injected engine, all signals and lights work

3/4" nylon skidpan that runs the entire length front to back, that is about a $200 piece.

6 rib tranny with german 4 spider diff $350 and no issues,cnc hydraulic clutch and disk brakes,and coilovers as well.

Speedo that works,winch, and linkpin frontend.

Seats from 2004 dodge dakota [comfy] and 4 point harnesses.

The buggy is coated with truck bedliner paint, and a 6ft + person has no problems fitting in.

_________________
A good friend will bail you out of jail. A best friend will be sitting next to you saying: "Damn that was fun!"



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5wGMaUMXUQ