Dune Buggy 101

This guide is an attempt to give better customer service by providing a list of all the parts needed to construct a fiberglass dune buggy.  The parts listed are basic parts.  In many cases, there are upgraded parts available.  These upgraded parts are available via our store front by clicking HERE.  The pages are printable and complete with current Acme Car Company part numbers.  You may use the guide to search our online store, or use it to reference parts when visiting our retail storefront or calling in.  A complete “offline” version of this manual will be available once all sections have been complete in PDF format.

Below, you’ll find videos that our customer, Stacey White and his wife Deedie filmed about their Berrien Buggy build.  Stacey does a great job giving a broad overview, and some great tips and tricks on how to build a Berrien Nostalgia.  Body color is Chrome Silver Metalflake.

Special thanks from Acme to Stacey and Deedie for permission to use their videos.

We recommend that you purchase a donor car, (not a Super Beetle) and remove the front beam assembly, check for straightness, then replace the following.

LINK PIN (1965 and older)

Rebuilt Spindle Assemblies
C986-PP111498041WK

Link Pin Kit
C986-BP6590

Grease Seals
C986-PP111405129 (4 required)

Steering Damper (1960 to 1965)
C986-EM98-4251-B

Shock Absorbers
C986-EM9652 (2 required)

Wheel Seals
C018-PP111405641A (2 required)

Wheel bearings

• Front inner C018-PP111405627 (2 required)
• Front outer C018-PP111405647 (2 required)

BALL JOINT (1966 and newer)

Upper Ball Joints
C986-PP131405361F (2 required)

Lower Ball Joints
C986-PP131405371GBR (2 required)

Grease Seals
C986-EM16-5145 (4 required)

Steering Damper
C986—EM98-4251-B

Shock Absorbers
C986-EM9651 (2 required)

Wheel seals

• (1966 – 1967) C018-PP131405641A (2 required)
• (1968 – 1978) C018-PP111405641B (2 required)

Wheel bearings

• (1966 & 1967) Front inner C018-PP311405625 (2 required)
• (1966 & 1967) Front outer C018-PP311405645 (2 required)
• (1968 – 1978) Front inner C018-PP311405625B (2 required)
• (1968 – 1978) Front outer C018-PP311405645 (2 required)

STEERING (USING STOCK  VW COLUMN)

Steering Box  C986-PP113415061C

Steering Coupler Set (for stock VW column)  C986-EM17-2584

Steering Flex Joint  C986-BP5547 (available in Black or Red)

Steering Wheel Adapter

• (1949 thru 1959) C986-EM79-4016
• (1960 thru 1973) C986-EM79-4015
• (1975 THRU 1988) C986-EM79-4017

Steering Wheel
C986-EM79-4010

Steering (USING CUSTOM  STEERING  COLUMN)
(a steering wheel mounted horn will not work with this column)

Steering Box  C986-PP113415061C

Steering Coupler Set (use steering box half only)  C986-EM17-2584

Steering Flex Joint  C986-BP5547 (available in Black or Red)

S/S  CUSTOM Steering Column  C986-ATBRG-908043

36 Spline to VW Adapter C986-BB2027

Steering Wheel  C986-EM79-4010

STEERING COLUMN SUPPORT KIT
(bolts to body to support steering column and reinforce windshield.  This is not required, but is highly recommended)

C058-BB330

TIE ROD ENDS
use 4 total- 2 inner 2 outer

• (1946 THRU 1968) left inner C986-PP113415821
• (1946 thru 1965) right inner C986-PP113415813
• (1946 thru 1968) left outer C986-PP131415811
• (1946 thru 1968) right outer C986-PP131415812
• (1966 thru 1968) right inner C986-PP113415813D
• (1968 thru 1978) left inner C986-PP131415821A
• (1968 thru 1978) left outer C986-PP311415811C
• (1968 thru 1978) right inner C986-PP131415813E
• (1968 thru 1978) right outer C986-PP311415812C

TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES (CHROME)
New chrome tie rods may be more cost effective and look good as well

• (1946 thru 1965) left C986-EM22-2825
• (1946 THRU 1965) right w/o damper  C986-EM22-2829
• (1946 thru 1965) right C986-EM22-2827
• (5 of 1968 thru 1978) left C986-EM22-2826
• (5 of 1968 thru 1978) right  C986-EM22-2828
• (5 of 1968 thru 1978) right w/o damper  C986-EM22-2830

UNLESS OTHERWISE  INDICATED, ONE OF EACH PART NUMBER IS REQUIRED PER CAR.

DASH PANELS

(Nostalgia & Lancer only)

Blank, No gauge holes C058-BB337

5 hole, VW speedometer C058-BB338

6 hole, VDO gauges C058-BB339
(Genesis only)

Blank C058-BB317

GAUGES

There are many options for gauges.  The simplest is to use the speedometer/gauge assembly from your donor car.  The downside to that is that this unit is not available new, therefore you must rely on a used unit.  The drive mechanism is a speedometer cable which is driven by the left front hubcap.

SPEEDOMETER CABLE
(There are 3 parts required)

1949 Through 1965

Grease cap (1949 thru 1965) C018-PP111405691

Speedo cable (1958 thru 1965) C012-PP111957801J

Cable clip (all years) C012-PPN124342
1966 Through 1977

Grease cap (1966 thru 1977) C018-PP111405691B

Speedo cable (1966 thru 1977) C012-PP111957801K

Cable clip (all years) C012-PPN124342

VDO GAUGES
(used in dash #C058-BB339)

Speedometer (electric) C008-EMV437050

Speedometer cable conversion C001-EM16-9290

Oil pressure C008-EMV350040

Oil pressure sender C008-EM360-009

Cyl. Head temp C008-EM310-901

Volt gauge C008-EMV332041

Fuel gauge C008-EMV301015

Fuel tank sender C030-EMV226001

Tachometer C008-EMV333051

GPS SPEEDOMETER
(use in dash C058-BB337 or C058-BB338)

Oil pressure C008-EMV350040

Oil pressure sender C008-EM360-009

Cyl. Head temp C008-EM310-901

Volt gauge C008-EMV332041

Fuel gauge C008-EMV301015

Fuel tank sender C030-EMV226001

Auto Meter Speedometer (5” dia.) C008-MS1489

Auto Meter Speedometer (3 3/8” dia.) C008-MS1480

GPS unit  C058-MS5289

SEATS & TRACKS
(There is a wide variety of seats which can be used.
We have listed the most economical)

Lowered seat tracks bolt to frame and seat bolts onto tracks.
Designed specifically for dune buggies to give the correct seating height.

• Both sides adjustable—C058-BB342 (SET, 2)
• Driver adjusts/passenger tilt—C058-BB341 (SET, 2)

Seats

Poly seat, black—C008-ATSUM-G1100

Poly seat, red—C008-ATSUM-G1100B

Poly seat, blue—C008-ATSUM-G1100C

Seat Covers

Seat cover, black—C008-ATSUM-G1111

Seat cover, red/black—C008-ATSUM-G1111B

Seat cover, blue/black—C008-ATSUM-G1111C

Seat cover, yellow/black—C008-ATSUM-G1111F

CARPET
(Use the pieces from the listed kit)

Front kit – C008-EM3073

Rear kit – C008-EM3075

WHAT FOLLOWS IS A LIST OF PARTS TO COMPLETE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.  THERE WILL BE SOME MINOR INCIDENTAL ITEMS SUCH AS LENGTHS OF WIRE, WIRE CONNECTORS AND CLAMPS WHICH YOU WILL ALSO NEED.  THESE ITEMS ARE EASILY OBTAINED AT AN AUTO PARTS STORE AS THEY ARE GENERAL AUTOMOTIVE ITEMS.  SOME OF THESE ITEMS ARE A MATTER OF PERSONAL PREFERENCE, ESPECIALLY HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS, AND ARE ONLY OUR SUGGESTED STYLES. 

WIRING HARNESS
C001-KCPROCOMP12B(12 fused circuits)

HORN
C001-EM98-2031-B

HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES
C001-EM9305 (2 required)

TAILLIGHTS
C001-EM9490 (tail/turn/stop)

TURN SIGNAL (FRONT)
C001-TL33062Y (2 required)

MARKER LIGHT (FRONT)
C001-TL33062Y (2 required)

WINDSHIELD WIPERS
Use a complete VW unit 1970 to 1977 sedan

WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH
C001-KCWIPERSW

IGNITION SWITCH
C001-EM9306

START BUTTON
C001-EM9367

HEADLIGHT SWITCH
C001-PP311941531A

BACK UP LIGHT
C001-EM98-9622

BACK UP LIGHT SWITCH
C001-PP211941521

LICENSE PLATE LIGHT/MOUNT
C001-EM9457

STOP LIGHT SWITCH
C001-PP113945515G

TURN SIG. INDICATOR LIGHT, GREEN
C001-EM9371 (2 reqd.)

CHARGING INDICATOR LIGHT, BLUE
C001-EM9373

HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHT INDICATOR, BLUE
C001-EM9373

OIL PRESS. LIGHT, RED
C001-EM9372

TURN SIG./HI/LO HEADLIGHT/ HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH
(this switch unit clamps to the steering column.  It provides turn signals, 4 way flashers, plus hi/lo headlight switch & relay.  Easily wires into existing system.)
C001-TL905

BATTERY
AC DELCO #88863815  (series 26A)

BATTERY CABLE TO STARTER
C001-EM138505

BATTERY GROUND CABLE
C001-15BCBLK