Yet another newbie?

MFE 3 · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 12:08 pm Post subject: Yet another newbie?

I've been looking for a new project for some time and decided on a sand rail that I am going to convert to a street/off road cruiser. My goal is to have something fun to cruise back roads and maybe a little sand at our place in the Baja.
One thing that was important to me was to start with a plated rail, as it would be very difficult to register a sand rail in CA. I found this rail (on this website) in AZ. The rail has good bones, but needs lots of TLC. It has '69 BJ front end, a post-'71 IRS tranny and a 2180 cc motor with dual webers.
First step was to disassemble it down to the bare frame. Then cut and grind off some tabs, mounts and a section of the frame I want to redo. Then some welding to be done before having it powder coated and start putting it back together, but with a whole bunch of new parts. New seats, pedal assembly, adding front disc brakes, new wiring, putting in a dash and console to accommodate 2 gauges and a tach, etc.
I will undoubtedly be coming here with questions. I have already read many threads here that have been very helpful. I truly respect all the knowledge on here and the eagerness (and patience) to answer questions.
Here are some pics from where I got it to where it was as of last weekend. More pics in my gallery.
Matt

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_________________
Matt
I drive a hybrid . . . burns both rubber and gas

Multi69s · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:22 pm Post subject:

Looks like a fun project. Hopefully the "helpful" people at the DMV won't run you through the wringer. I would get the registration transferred as soon as possible. That way you know you are good to go before you have too much time or money invested. Good luck.
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dustymojave · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 6:14 pm Post subject:

I agree with Lefty. While it IS POSSIBLE to register a rail buggy in California, it is NOT EZ. Just because Arizona allows such things pretty easily and have let it be registered in AZ, doesn't mean the CaliNazis will allow it.

There are far too many people living in California now who feel that if it isn't the way they would do things, it should be illegal. Unfortunately plenty of those are working in the government. In America these days, and especially in California, those in government read the part about "Government OF the People" and the rest looks like a repeat of that so they don't read the parts that say "BY the People" or "FOR the People". I've never read anything in the US or California Constitutions which empower the Motor Vehicle Department to regulate what a car is built like.

I understand safety regulations. But I don't see where it says, even in the California Vehicle Code, that a car MUST be mass produced to be registered for the road. Nor do I see any reason why it should.
_________________
Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet.

MFE 3 · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 7:44 pm Post subject:

I've got the registration covered. I'm going to register it in So. Dakota. There is no state-wide DMV there - it's done on a county-by-county basis and some counties are thrilled to collect registration fees and don't require a So Dakota address, or a So. Dakota drivers license and never need to see the car. The registration will have my CA address. Won't fly with CA cops, but will be fine in the Baja. Laughing

_________________
Matt
I drive a hybrid . . . burns both rubber and gas

MFE 3 · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 7:56 pm Post subject:

@ Richard
You're right that you don't have to have a mass produced car to register it in CA. I built a Shelby Cobra replica and it is registered as a 20XX SPCN (special construction vehicle). And, the CA DMV allows 500 SPCN vehicles to be registered each year based on the year the car resembles. I got one of those 500. And since mine is a virtual duplicate of a 65 Cobra, I only have to meet safety, equipment and smog requirements in effect in 1965. The most important benefit of this is that my car is smog-exempt. A big, honkin' 427 with old school carb, distributor and side pipes.
Matt
_________________
Matt
I drive a hybrid . . . burns both rubber and gas

dustymojave · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 4:52 pm Post subject:

Cool.

I grew up around road racing here in SoCal, I watched Carroll Shelby take my dad for a spin around Riverside raceway in the prototype Cobra in '62. I have a great appreciation for such things.
_________________
Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet.

Dale M. · Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 6:16 pm Post subject:

MFE 3 · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 8:51 am Post subject:

Dale, you're right.
When I'm done, this car is gonna live in the Baja, where I have a home.
There, they only care if the car has plates and insurance.
Matt
_________________
Matt
I drive a hybrid . . . burns both rubber and gas

MFE 3 · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:22 am Post subject:

My rail came with Fox 2.0 shocks. When I was disassembling my rail, I was surprised that the shocks are the only suspension. There either are no torsion bars in the tubes or they are so lose that they offer no lift.
Is this a normal setup? Or should I have torsion bars actually supporting the car and the shocks only acting as shock absorbers?
Matt
_________________
Matt
I drive a hybrid . . . burns both rubber and gas

ORANGECRUSHer · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:32 am Post subject:

search for info on indexing torsions.
yours are prolly getting lazy
_________________
Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja ~~1835cc~~

dustymojave · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 10:55 pm Post subject:

The shocks should never lift the car unless they are "air shocks". Fox DOES make these.

Coilovers support the weight of the car, but it is the coil spring that supports the weight, not the shock absorber.

If you unbolt the shocks and the car does not fall, then the torsion bars are still inside the housing.
_________________
Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet.

enjoyther1de · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 7:51 am Post subject:

The rear shocks do look like air shocks. Due to the Schrader valve and the humongous shaft.
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MFE 3 · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 11:50 am Post subject:

I'm certain they are air shocks. When I unbolt them, the rail drops to the floor so they are bearing all the weight. They are super stiff now and much stiffer than I need. Based on my research, it appears I will need to remove some oil and perhaps lower the air (nitrogen) pressure.
I want the shocks softer on the first few inches of travel to handle small whoops and wash board on dirt roads.
Am I on the right track? Any useful links on this would be appreciated.
Thanks
_________________
Matt
I drive a hybrid . . . burns both rubber and gas

enjoyther1de · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2015 8:31 pm Post subject:

After you have the rail ready to go, as in full built and weight, you can find a shock guy to tune those to your needs. Sorry I do not have a reccomendation for you but I'm 100% certain you will find someone in SoCal who will know what they are doing.
_________________
HBB took me to BBV.


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