Do's and Dont's !!
1. When building your Roll Cage, plan it carefully and I recommend a Front
and Back hoop connected together to support your Buggy should you roll
over. We have lost good friends who used only the rear hoop and the hoop
and the windshield collapsed!
2. When Building your special Rail Buggy, use someone who understands
the ins and outs of proper support when putting your frame rail together. I
have listed several around the country on another page, I have used Neil
Decker in the past and I KNOW his stuff works! I am going to be using
Hawkeye Buggies when we get to that point in my new build.
3. Use and support your local Buggy Parts and Frame houses, this gives
you the ability to drop in and check on how things are going, part
availability, and a personal friend when you need answers. May shops have
closed down because some one undersold and then did not follow up on
placed orders. Lost money and parts not shipped IS NOT A BARGAIN!
One Place ( I won't mention ) ran a lot of people out of business cause
everyone was looking for that cheap part. I know one guy who use to fix the
lost pieces for some, but gave up when it became a habit, they NEVER
bought a part from him....just wanted to get parts to finish what they
thought was a bargain.
4. Your local dealer needs to make a profit, if you buy a $5 cup of starbucks
then you should not gripe about a $2 item. If he stays in business, you have
a source for parts and help. Good dealers WANT to build a good client
business.
5. NEVER NEVER assume everything on the internet is true, I have seen
more tore up front ends by kids who read about how great it is to "drop to
the weeds" - you will need a kidney belt for that to work as the bug rides like
a rail road car.
6. Magazines ARE a valuable information center BUT they do not have the
space or time to go through all the things neccessary to build that
"wonder" engine - use your local guys who have been doing this for years
to make sure all the items are in order. Just tell your local builder what your
wanting to do and He will GLAD to assist you! If no one is local, call LOTS
of friends and get feedback before throwing down the money.
7. Do check all the individual parts during assembly. Parts do wear out and
you might as well up date all the parts as you already have the unit apart. I
NEVER put a new part into the piece without checking everything out.