If you take the time to look around at all the custom buggies that adorn the local off-road spots, what you’ll find is that there are some wildly creative people living among us. One of these individuals is Joey Ruiter, an industrial designer from Michigan. Back in 2013, Joey introduced the world to his creation: the Reboot Buggy.
“It sounds strange, but I wanted the vehicle to determine its design,” explained Joey Ruiter, “Even if it means ignoring the driver’s needs.”
What Is The Reboot Buggy?
The Reboot Buggy is an open-topped, two-door box on wheels. The custom buggy is constructed with a tubular-steel chassis. Standing a massive 94 inches wide, 169 inches long, and 63.5 inches tall, the Reboot is deceptively large. It features 26 inches of front and rear suspension travel (16 inches of droop and 10 inches of bump) and utilizes 2.5-inch King off-road racing shocks. The buggy tips the scales at 3,050 pounds, which is distributed nearly equally, with 52 percent in the rear and 48 percent up front.
Tucked beneath the angular aluminum body panels is mid-mounted GM 6.3-liter V8 engine. This 383-cubic-inch crate engine produces more than 470 horsepower. The engine utilizes a FAST fuel injection system along with MSD electronic ignition. A GM TH400 automatic transmission directs that power to a Ford 8.8-inch independent rear axle that is fit with an Eaton Truetrac limited-slip differential.
Inside, the Buggy continues its minimalist theme with a simple aluminum dash and digital display. It offers fixed Kirky racing seats with Crow four-point harnesses. A simple heater is as much luxury as you’re going to find.
Would The Reboot Buggy Actually Work Off-Road?
The Reboot Buggy was built more as an art piece than as an actual off-road vehicle. But that doesn’t mean it won’t work off-road as well. With more than 400 horsepower and a long-travel suspension, the Reboot Buggy handles high-speed sand dune runs with remarkable ease. It would also handle moderate desert running, though we’d keep it in the shallow end due to the use of factory Ford Explorer steering knuckles.
Despite rocking 40-inch Yokohama Geolandar mud tires (sporting date codes from 2009, just FYI), being rear-wheel drive eliminates any possibility of serious rock crawling or trail running. The usual bevy of LED lights and a Warn recovery winch are present. However, the last thing anyone would want is to wedge this buggy tightly into an obstacle it couldn’t avoid.
Yes, It Is Street Legal… Kind Of…
While what constitutes “street legal” varies from state-to-state and even city-to-city, the Reboot Buggy does come with a legitimate, clean, Michigan title. Built as a “concept vehicle,” the Reboot Buggy is tagged with an official Michigan VIN number and can be registered and plated virtually anywhere in the United States. Now, whether the local constable is OK with the lack of fenders and mudflaps is a different story.
This Buggy Can Be Yours
If the Reboot Buggy looks like something that you’d be interested in having in your garage, then you’re in luck. This one-of-a-kind vehicle is currently listed for sale on the off-road trading website Fourbie Exchange. The owner is asking $75,000 for the pleasure. The Reboot Buggy was put up for sale on eBay shortly after it was constructed, and also recently ran on the auction site Cars & Bids, where it hit $33,333 but did not make the reserve. Use that information as you see fit. And if one of our readers does buy this buggy, please reach out. We’d love to go for a ride.
