TheSamba.com :: View topic - Project McCheapskate: budget 4 seater rail build

Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:19 pm

So after finding out I have to "take it easy" from my doctor due to my shoulder injury, i have decided to shift my intrests from my dirtbike to my new hobby or sickness whatever you wanna call it.

I decided that my old 2 seater wasnt going to cut it anymore

I wanted to upgrade to a 4 seater sooooo bad, but I couldnt see spending 2500 on a new frame. So after a long search I picked this one up out of craigslist for cheap

The only problem was that the rear pivot section and front beam were 10" wider than stock, and would no way be able to fit into my toyhauler.

So I got the frame over @ Mosebilt offroad in Montclair CA to fix my little problem.

Heres a couple of pictures of the progress, its still over @ mosebilt. So far, all I gotta say John is the effen man

Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:26 pm

I am definately liking what they have done to the upper cage to add strength and safety. Looks good. Should be a real nice ride when complete.

Sat Jul 18, 2009 10:43 am

I didn't think things rusted in California?

Sat Jul 18, 2009 4:44 pm

Florida_Buggy wrote: I didn't think things rusted in California?

It's not like the roads are Salted or anything but most of CA is on the coast :wink: I work in Carlsbad a block from the beach and you wouldn't believe the undersides of some of our customer's cars. Especially those that live real close to the beach. As a matter of fact, the 2 rusty things that I recently bought spent the last 10 years or so rusting in the front yard of the guy I bought them from, he lives 2 blocks from the beach.

Fri Aug 14, 2009 4:03 pm

Brought her home today from MoseBilt Offroad. Looks like a different car!

Sat Aug 15, 2009 8:01 pm

Nice budget!

Sun Aug 16, 2009 4:13 am

very true, everytime i look at this thread i wonder "what's his definition of cheap?" :lol: very nice though, it looks like you're having just what needs to be done like safety elements, and just few fancy items...

Sun Aug 16, 2009 6:21 am

I see a few things you added to yours that I now want to add to my rail. The grab handles,the additional bar in the center/side behind the seats to the roof for starters.

Sun Aug 16, 2009 7:24 am

So far cost of build is 2,100.00
Frame.......................................$600.00 (Craigslist find)
Fab work, with custom rear arms
and front beam.........................$1,500.00

a brand new frame with out all the extras is 1900.00, im trying to keep this as a budget minded project, but like most toys its hard to keep from getting out of control with high dollar parts, but I am trying lol

Mon Aug 17, 2009 10:51 pm

Putting a specific budget on a project is really very challenging. Good luck. Can't wait to see the final outcome.

Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:25 am

Looks like an excellent project. What are your plans for the power plant? Also what is it tabbed for on the transmission? That rear cage looks pretty large/beefy for some serious power. I imagine a Honda V6 in there.

Come on spill it :D

Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:00 am

Now this is what I like to see. Took a chassis that could have just been built up and took the time to do the chassis correct and make it safe.

I give you and A+

Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:10 pm

Pozi wrote: Looks like an excellent project. What are your plans for the power plant? Also what is it tabbed for on the transmission? That rear cage looks pretty large/beefy for some serious power. I imagine a Honda V6 in there.

Come on spill it :D

It is tabbed for a bus box, As for the engine is just gonna be a turbo'd 2275. But................the rear cage is set up for an LS1 :twisted: , but more than likely the vw motor will eventually be replaced with a ecotec or a v6 since I cant afford a spendeola trans. But well see how the budget goes :lol:

Thu Aug 20, 2009 8:12 pm

Got a little bit work done this week. And My shocks finally arrived!

Got rid of that P.O.S. Jamar super shifter thing, and replaced it with the good ol stock style one

Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:06 am

avalonbug wrote: It is tabbed for a bus box, As for the engine is just gonna be a turbo'd 2275. But................the rear cage is set up for an LS1 :twisted: , but more than likely the vw motor will eventually be replaced with a ecotec or a v6 since I cant afford a spendeola trans. But well see how the budget goes :lol:

Looking good. Nice progress. I really like those shifter box setups. Sure beats the hockey stick style shift linkages.

Also. You'll be happy with the Ecotec engine. I have a totally stock Ecotec in my sandrail backed my a 5-rib. It's a good runner with plenty of power for anything that I've asked it to do....sounds nice too. When you get around to doing the Ecotec do a search here on Samba, there is lots of info from lots of people including me.

Thu Aug 27, 2009 2:22 pm

Getting bored waiting around for parts to come in the mail, so I started putting together some of the brakes and rear arms, tapped the pivot point for 7/8 14 bolts which were a PITA!. I also started on the light bar, tryin to stuff 5 8" lights on a 50" light bar

This is with the shock totally bottem'd out with a 700/15 tire. I plan on running some 33's.............. some day

Thu Aug 27, 2009 2:32 pm

Looks like it will be a fun ride when you're through.
I sure wish we had more topography in south Texas.
Awesome work so far!

Thu Aug 27, 2009 3:00 pm

I wish I could find a cheap 4 seater frame to swap all my 2 seater stuff over to. I need more room so I can take more than just myself and a passenger down the road

Fri Aug 28, 2009 5:45 am

[quote="avalonbug"]This is with the shock totally bottem'd out with a 700/15 tire. I plan on running some 33's.............. some day

That's a lot of travel!! but will you CV angles be able to match?? that may reduce some of your travel... Rail is still looking great, just thought I'd bring up the travel issue

Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:09 am

GhiaBateman wrote:
That's a lot of travel!! but will you CV angles be able to match?? that may reduce some of your travel... Rail is still looking great, just thought I'd bring up the travel issue

thats where bump stops come in handy, they save cv's and keep the shocks from completely bottoming out.