TheSamba.com :: View topic - Mudtrac's Rail Build (Berrien 952) UPDATE with PICs

Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:26 am

Here are some pics of my progress, This is my first complete tear down and rebuild. Im working on 3 rails now but this is my Warrior... err Berrien 952.
This is what I started with...

Removing the floor and gutting...

Removing the rust and cutting out bad tube...

After new paint and new floor... Its a dark graphite, custom made from mixing Rust-Oleum gloss black and aluminum paint, i sprayed a rusty metal primer first this is 3 coats of paint. The floor is welded on, we were going to do aluminum diamond plate but figured expanded metal would look cool too.

Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:31 am

The motor is being tore down this week, and I should have the tranny put back together soon. I have a few more welds for the frame I have decided to do also, sucks that I forgot about them until after I painted it, but It should be fine. Im trying to decide on some pedals and breaks. I think I have about 3 months on it left... I hope, hard to work in my little garage LOL

Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:48 am

Nice job mudtrac.

Your Warrior style buggy is actually an older Berrien 952.
Forerunner of todays 295 and Warrior.

Can tell by the windshield hoop.
Comes from the top down at an angle forward then drops vertically the last 3-4" to the side bar.
I had one years ago, fine buggy they are.

Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:54 am

Thanks for informing me, Only thing I could tell close to it was the warrior, But its great to know the truth..

I have another rail I thought was a voyager, but turned out to be a berrien short back (902??).. never seen another one like it yet.

Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:10 am

that is a sweet color. i like it

Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:16 am

Thanks, I was going to just do black, but add in some metal flake, but this turned out better I think.
Here are the rims Im going to be using, Im scrapping out this rail and selling it, its way too short for me.

Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:12 pm

Roll on flat black is the only "true" off road paint job of choice. Can't go wrong with that, especially if you're going to be laying a beating on her.

Don't worry the purple is on its way out as...just finishing her up this week....flat white it is on the body panels.

Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:15 pm

progress is looking good, just make sure you dont use the empi coil overs on the car when you put it back together.

Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:29 am

runslikeapenguin wrote: progress is looking good, just make sure you dont use the empi coil overs on the car when you put it back together.

All in good time... 8) For right now, she has to ride with what I got for her, this is Florida not the dunes at Glamis, so for now they will be fine for our trials, After I get the little rail sold all that money will be headed for some upgrades. We are also paying for our wedding right now, so money is a little tight, but it will get there...

Tue Jun 10, 2008 1:51 pm

I love that color Gayden!

If you want to run stock pedals I have plenty of sets. I'm sure I can spare one. And if you go that route, get the pedal mount from Berrien. The metal is about twice as thick as the Bugpack one most shops carry. Its not expensive either.

Let me know when you want some help on that thing. I actually don't have any plans for July 4th so we may be able to come over for the long weekend.

Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:11 am

looks pretty good. So when is the BBQ at your house?

Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:12 pm

Wow ,that frame looks new man! Great paint job!! :D

Sun Aug 17, 2008 5:27 am

Ok so its been a couple months and with some budget adjustments I have her rolling, I switched to a type 4 setup and have a bus motor to put in, just waiting on a flywheel (long story) and she should be running in a few days. I completley went thru the front end and painted it, also re cleaned all the wheel bearings and installed some wide 5 disks on the back, i cut some drums down for the front. She has 31's on the back and 700 15 on front. LOT more clearance than my other rail.

Sun Aug 17, 2008 5:51 am

Looks good!
What size expanded metal did you use?

Sun Aug 17, 2008 3:30 pm

Not sure on the size, but its pretty big. Most our rails use smaller exp metal, but its what I had.

So what do you think new use for EMPI coilovers?? Guess so if your into never turning left. Oh and never mind the 14mm bolt replacing my center grub screw. Its temporary, but really works in a bind.

*do not attempt*

Sun Aug 17, 2008 4:01 pm

man that is a sweet shock setup. I think im going to run the same thing on mine.

Thanks for the idea. =]

Sun Aug 17, 2008 5:11 pm

Are your seats bolted directly to the expanded metal?

Im trying to decide what to use in mine, I really like the way yours looks

Sun Aug 17, 2008 5:21 pm

aquamanx wrote: Are your seats bolted directly to the expanded metal?

Im trying to decide what to use in mine, I really like the way yours looks

No, we welded 4" steel strap in where the seats go. that was the last thing we did before i left his house today.

Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:19 pm

aquamanx wrote: Are your seats bolted directly to the expanded metal?

Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:52 pm

The good looking welds are mine. The crappy looking ones were done by someone else.