Once again, Berrien has waged war on high prices & brought you a truly exceptional chassis at an affordable price.
In response to customer input, Berrien is proud to introduce to you the Cruiser, their brand-new, 112” wheelbase, four seat knock-down kit. This new chassis features the same styling as the original knock-down, the Warrior, but in a four-seater.
And because the Cruiser is a knock-down kit,
it costs less to ship too, saving even more money. For a shipping estimate, see our Cruiser Quote Page.
As with all Berrien chassis, the Cruiser is available with your choice of spacing for Link/Kingpin or Ball-joint front end and IRS or Swing Axle rear suspension.
The Cruiser features diamond bracing in the roof section for added strength, a popular double rear rollbar, and a removable rear engine cage to provide easy access to the engine compartment.
Like all Berrien Chassis, the Cruiser features a spacious cockpit for riding comfort — extra room inside without extra interference outside. The inside height is 44 1/2” and the width is 51 3/4”, giving you plenty of room for wide seats, front & rear.
Many of the accessories available for the other Berrien chassis, are also available for the Cruiser!
Features at no additional cost
- Shift box w/shift tube hanger
- 8 front end clamps
- 2 Seat back braces
- Diamond bracing in upper cage
- Extra head and leg room
- Mandrel-bent steel tubing
- 8-point torsion mounting
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- Single & Double Bar Bumper
- Double & Triple Bend Treebars
- Full length aluminum floor
- Frame horn supports
- Chassis brace kit
- Solid rear transmission mount
- Pickup style rear cage kit
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PLEASE NOTE:
Shipping for frames and fiberglass bodies is calculated separately and sent to the customer for approval. It is NOT included in the shipping total for your shopping cart order. If you can not take delivery at our Detroit, Michigan, USA location, shipping charges may range from $400-$1000 or more for assembled chassis. The WARRIOR and CRUISER Chassis Knock-down kits ship for around $100, depending on your location inside the United States. For a fully welded chassis, there is an additional $125 core charge for the torsion assembly, assuming you do not provide us with an exchange torsion. For partially tacked chassis, there is an additional $50 charge for welding in place an optional torsion assembly, plus $125 core charge. Also, we recommend you order an IRS rear end with your chassis, since this gives you the most flexibility. Please email
us or call us at 1-800-303-6211 (Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm EST) with any questions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What kind of engine is the Cruiser meant to use? | |
The Cruiser is made for a Volkswagen Beetle Engine and transmission.
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Is the Cruiser a "real" chassis? Why is it so cheap? | |
The “Cruiser” Chassis is a full size four seat chassis. (not a mini) It is less expensive than other Berrien models because it comes as a knock-down kit. This means that the chassis is not welded together, and requires an experienced welder to assemble it. Because it isn’t assembled, it also makes a much smaller package for shipping, and it can be shipped anywhere inside the United States for about $100. (hundreds of dollars less than similar factory-welded chassis)
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What is the difference between a Fully Welded and a Tacked Chassis? | |
Fully welded frames still require minimal welding for lights, tabs for seat belts, floor, etc., but the basic Chassis requires no further welded. Partially tacked frames require significant welding to complete the basic frame. If you have access to an experienced welder, we'd recommend a Tacked Kit, which is much less expensive to ship. (And the chassis is less expensive as well)
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What additional parts will I need to buy other than the chassis to build a complete buggy? | |
There are hundreds of parts on a typical buggy. Some of the things you'll need are brakes, pedals, steering components, an engine, transmission, seats, wiring, tires, wheels, and many more. The chassis is really just the frame on which you mount everything.
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How much will it cost to build a complete buggy? | |
Expect to spend approximately $4000+ to build a quality buggy. Obviously most people prefer to spread that expense over the length of the project, instead of buying all the parts at once. This figure can be more or less obviously depending on if you use new or used components, a stock or high performance engine, etc. and whether or not you have a "donor" VW to take parts from. We have parts for different budgets and applications, so I’m sure we can work with you whatever you decide to do.
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How much will shipping be for a fully welded chassis. | |
A Lot. Because a fully welded chassis is big and relatively light, it takes up a lot of space on a shipping company's truck. So they charge us a LOT of money to deliver them to you. Shipping a fully welded chassis will cost at least an additional $500. We recommend you buy a partially tacked chassis, or, if possible, come to Detroit to pick up a fully welded one. We've had several customers drive here from Georgia, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Indiana, etc. Not only do you save on shipping cost for the chassis, but you can pick up other parts for your project, which saves you even more on shipping.
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How much would shipping be to outside the United States? | |
Expect the international shipping costs to be more than the cost of the chassis. The Warrior Kit is the cheapest chassis to ship, but even it costs at least $400 to get to Europe
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Do you sell completed buggies? | |
We sell only parts, not completed buggies.
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What parts can I use from my Type 3 to build a buggy with? | |
You would be able to use the engine and the transmission, diagonal arms and rear brakes, but not the front end and not the torsion tube. There isn't a frame available that would accept the Type 3 front axle and torsion. You would have to custom design it or buy a front axle assembly and use a torsion tube from a regular or Super Beetle..
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Can you help me with the frame modifications necessary to use a V-8 engine in dune buggy? | |
Sorry, but we don’t have custom frame capability and can’t help you on this one. You’ll probably need to do your own design. Good luck with your project.
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Is the Warrior the only chassis I can buy in knock-down kit form? | |
Yes, the Warrior is the only chassis available in knock down kit form. The others are available as partially tacked kits, as well as fully welded chassis. They can be shipped in partially tacked form at a favorable freight rate.
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What kind of welding equipment do I need to assemble a chassis? | |
You should use a wire feed welder.
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How much welding will I have to do to complete the Cruiserr? | |
A knocked-down chassis comes with only enough welding done so that you can get it together straight. The factory tacks the floor together so you have something straight and square to start with. The factory also tacks the front clamps on the arm rails and the dash bar in the front roll bar. You would do all the rest of the welding. The welder at the factory can weld a Cruiser kit together in less than a day, but it may take you longer since you don't have a fixture. (and he's had quite a bit of practice) All of the tubing is prenotched and prebent; very little welding has been done for you. They can be welded without jig or fixture; careful measurement and tack welding will be required to get it ready for the final welding. The welding involved is not difficult if you have a wire feed welder and are reasonably good with it.
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Can I buy the Cruiser frame already welded? | |
The Encore chassis is basically an welded Cruiser, with a few minor changes.
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How much would it cost to build a complete buggy using the Cruiser Kit? | |
The Cruiser can be built for as little as $2500 or as much as you'd like to spend. Each buggy is unique to the builder.
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Which parts from my "donor" Beetle can be used on my buggy? | |
The least expensive way to build a buggy is to use parts from a "donor" VW. If the VW you have is a regular Beetle and not a Super Beetle, it can donate many of the parts you will need, but not all. The parts normally used that do not come from a VW are the tires and wheels, the seats, the exhaust, lights, seat belts, shock absorbers, floor, and gas tank.
The parts that can be used include front tires and wheels and your pedal assembly. The engine, transmission, front axle, and shift rod are usable, also
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Do you have pictures of a completed buggy built with this chassis? | |
Unfortunately, the only pictures we have are included on the site. We're working to get more pictures to put online.
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| copyright 2008 - Don's Sport Vehicle Sales |
130 S. Main St. - Perry, MI 48872
1-800-303-6211 - (517-625-1884)
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Fax: 517-625-1889
Please call this location for Internet/Phone Sales | 24514 W. Six Mile Rd. - Detroit, MI 48219
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