Introduction: Off Road Buggy (Go-Cart) Project

About: Only wish I'd discovered Instructables years ago.
This was a project my son and I started when he was five. We spent almost every Saturday and many evenings working together, and it still took almost 12 months to complete.

The buggy was built to specifications provided by Edge Products, based on an older model Trax II build.
Our goal was to build something a child or adult could ride safely, but was tough, powerful and fast enough to be heaps of fun.

We wanted to fabricate as many parts as possible ourselves, but be able purchase those that proved beyond us.The plans from Edge Products are comprehensive and provided details on the fabrication and assembly of every part required to build the machine, with the exception the engine, clutch, steering wheel, disk brakes and calliper, seat and wheel rims; this still leaves a long list of parts to be made.

The Trax relies solely on its ATV's to smooth out the bumps, and let me tell you, smooth ain't the word for it. That said, doing 60kph, you could slam on the anchors, spin the steering wheel and turn her about-face without going on two wheels; very stable and heaps of fun in the mud puddles.

Anyone wanting to build a go cart or off-road buggy might find some pointers from this article: Build a Go-Kart or Off-road Buggy

Tools and Equipment Required
  • Welder
  • Cut off Saw
  • Drill Press (various sized twist drills and hole saws)
  • One Metre rule
  • Protractor bevel
  • Tape measure
  • Spanners
  • Pliers
  • Screwdrivers
  • Hand drill
  • Angle grinder
  • Hand files
  • Bench with Bench vice (not essential but very handy)
  • Lathe
I didn't have a lathe, so parts like bushes, rear wheel hubs, drive hubs and keyways I either bought or got a local machine shop to fabricate.

Enjoy the photos and if you have any questions, I'm happy to answer as best I can.