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Craigs Sandrail Rebuild (Pic heavy)
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chopperhopper
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Location: Clovis, NM
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 4:14 pm    Post subject: Craigs Sandrail Rebuild (Pic heavy) Reply with quote

Well, it’s time to come out of the shadows and join in the discussions. A little background: I am in the Air Force, and while stationed at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM from ’99-‘05 I built a Berrien Warrior. By far one of the most rewarding things I have done. It was kind of a budget build, I was into 4-wheeling a lot and was excited to expand my welding and fabricating skills. So sandrail it was. I was lucky to find that Albuquerque was the right place to make this decision, with abundant supplies of knowledgeable people and parts availability. I bought my knockdown kit from Brandon Buckner of BuggyWorkz in Albuquerque. I then found a donor bug at a local junk yard and got to work. About 6 months later I had it street legal and driving. The off road adventures that followed were memories that I will not soon forget. In late ’04 I received orders to Eglin AFB, Florida and the sandrail sadly had to go. A wonderful family in Roswell, NM were the proud new owners, and off to Florida my family and I went. So, about 5 months ago I was digging through my old e-mail address and what did I find? The e-mail address of the family in Roswell with my beloved sandrail. I instantly desired a drive in the dirt behind the wheel and decided to send them a quick e-mail to see how it was doing. After I found out it had been sitting for quite a while, the urge to get it back and rebuild it was almost uncontrollable. About two weeks later, my son, brother, and I were on the road, trailer in tow, to Roswell to get my sandrail back. The family that had it was amazing and I was very grateful, and before I knew it, she was back in my garage just asking to be rebuilt. I was able to put about a month of work into it before I was sent where I currently am, deployed to Afghanistan. I don’t have much longer here, and I have a pile of new parts waiting for me when I get back. I have been gathering a lot of really good ideas from this website, and it’s members seem to have an amazing amount of knowledge. So I have attached some pictures of the original build from ’04 and some pictures of the current rebuild. Any tips or pointers are always welcomed.

The following pictures are all from '04-'05 when I first built it:

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A test drive in the back yard before teardown and paint.

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Wiring, yah!

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Titled and street legal.

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Off-Road show at Owl's Cafe, Albuquerque, NM

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My inspiration: Brandon's Warrior

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The following are from Roswell, NM:

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And now the rebuild:

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Making room for a new pedal assembly.

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Engine resealed, carb rebuilt, all cleaned up and ready.

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Wiring harness repaired

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nitrous nut
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 5:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sweet ride.
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drmiller100
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Joined: April 04, 2010
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 6:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you for you and your fellow workers.

If there is anything I can do, let me know. I am in Idaho.....
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chopperhopper
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 2:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the kind words. Hopefully I will be back soon with the family and work on the rail can continue!
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DirtGhost
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 10:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice work so far.
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Mr. Unpopular
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 10:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks good. I also have a warrior I built myself in 2007. We use it regularly here in Florida.

How long will you be staying in Florida? I have a friend in Panama City that knows of a few places near him to ride. There is also the Ocala National Forest which isn't TOO far of a tow (beats going to Roswell Very Happy )

If you want to ride in Ocala, send an email to [email protected] and I'll put you on the mailing list so you'll know when we're riding.
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perrib
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 12:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great story and pictures. my sandrails been with me for 20 years.
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ataim
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

While you got it apart I'd brace the frame some. I think you may agree after reading this: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=354795&highlight=lost+friend
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chopperhopper
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PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 3:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have been in Niceville, FL for about 5 years now. There are some decent trails around here, but nothing much like I had in New Mexico. I would really like to find some scenic trail rides. I have a feeling its going to see more street time here.

Thanks for the link about frame bracing, I think I will see what I can do to mine to strenghten it. I have to admit though, I am usually pretty mild off-road, I try not to get into many situations that will cause a roll. But not too many people actually plan on rollovers, and you can never play it too safe!
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ronholm
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 7:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

yeah.. "mild off road" those pictures of you almost yard darting, and the several others with the buggy airborne are the exception, right? Rolling Eyes Very Happy Very Happy Brace that thing up man... You know the drill...



Like your rail.. and the story.. that is a lot of fun...
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chopperhopper
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 2:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's funny you should say that, I was talking to a guy I used to 4-wheel with and he said the same thing. I guess I am not as mild as I thought!
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ronholm
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 3:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very Happy

Raising the bar on what is "mild" and what is not is always a good thing in my book.. Twisted Evil Just don't forget where you put the bar.


Very Happy
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quadrazer
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 6:36 pm    Post subject: Nice Reply with quote

Very nice preface story before your pics! Getting your rail back is like being reunited with an old friend! Very Happy Your rebuild looks good so far, and I wish you the best!

From one vet to another, be alert and come home safe!
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chopperhopper
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PostPosted: Sun May 30, 2010 11:11 pm    Post subject: I'm Back! Reply with quote

And I have been busy this past week....

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Blasted and ready for prep and paint.



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Primed



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Painted, went with Rustoleum Black Hammer Finish in the rattle cans, turned out pretty good, I am happy with it.



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Close up of the hammer finish



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Starter rebuilt, slave installed, tranny ready to go.



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Suspension parts ready



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Coming together



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Not sure how I am going to run the throttle cable yet, I have a Morse Cable on my workbench but I am not sure how I am going to run it so that it is not right next to my foot. Any ideas or pics of yall's setup will be welcomed.
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ralphk496
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PostPosted: Mon May 31, 2010 11:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

hey...where did you get that diamond plate toolbox?....I need one just like that ...like 34" wide
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quadrazer
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PostPosted: Mon May 31, 2010 11:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looking really good Craig! Cool I like the hydraulic clutch setup. I'd like to upgrade to one of those myself!
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chopperhopper
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 6:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ralphk496: If I remember right the toolbox was from Home Depot, but that was about 7 years ago!


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ralphk496
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 7:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ok thanks....x2 on the looking good...its great to be re-united with an old friend...just last week i got a honda aero 125 scooter that i bought from a swamp...restored the whole thing to like new...took to the state patrol for inspection...they said stolen in 1995 and keepted it...after some serching for owner?...i called after 10 months...and told my story and asked if i could buy it back..they said yes...and 400....i got it last week...i'm in it 700 totel....worth 1000...so i'm happy...better than losing the 300 i had in it
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77charger
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 8:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

nice job.

Even better on the jumping! Very Happy
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 10:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Don't have a picture handy, but I tan my Morse cable between my feet, and under a raised heel/footrest on/above the floor. I had to utilize one of the higher holes in my throttle arm to get full sweep for the throttle activation.
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