New guy, New rail, introduction, Pics

[Spiderrail]

I was introduced to vw rails back in the early 80s day my uncle. Fast forward to 2023, I bought a ranger and brought it to St Anthony’s in Idaho. I was under gun’d and in a bit deep. Still had a blast with my 4 year old. He’s been talking about going back ever since.

Fast forward to Xmas ‘24. I found a rail in my price range and in good shape that I won’t have to wrench on too much out of the gate. It was built in 2019 by a builder in the rexburg area (close to st Anthony’s) and has a 1835 with fairly low hours, a mild cam, and doesn’t leak or burn oil. It does have oil in it, I checked. The guy I bought it from was very nice and we hit it off over the phone.

So I hoped in the truck and drove 7 hours down to Ogden UT to check it out. There’s no buggy’s closer than that to me. I had contacted the PO about a month earlier and he sent some videos and more pics. Anyway, I went down and did the deal, did a cold start up and test drive, all good. Got home fired it up on the trailer and the oil cooler blew. Lol. Actually a blessing, I was half tempted to stop by the dunes on my way home, I’d probably still be there with my blown motor! So I got some parts ordered, pulled it apart, installed the new doghouse oil cooler and did some snownuts in the yard with the little man.

Now I’m doing a few mods/additions/wiring to get it where I want it to be. And now the buggy!

Or not, not sure how to post a pic here. Well it’s getting a gps Speedo, tach, oil pressure light, alt light and charging port, as well as a 32” light bar, stop/running light, aluminum roof, possibly some aluminum side panels and some new 4 point harnesses. I have a big brake and a plaz table so it should be pretty easily done. The console is just a test run, it will get shrunk up a bit and fully enclosed.

I think I did well for 4K. I know they can be had for less, but not this far north. And it was garaged, well maintained, came with good paddles and a set of off road tires as well as oil, filter, plugs, wires, and a few other random odds and ends. I’ve got a 20’ enclosed trailer, also thinking about fabricating one of them over the truck jobs so I can pull the Ranger as well.
[img]https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2559724.jpg[/img]

[img]https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2559726.jpg[/img]

[img]https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2559725.jpg[/img]

[img]https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2559727.jpg[/img]

[img]https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/2559728.jpg[/img]

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I guess you can click on my gallery for pictures.

[BFB]

doesn't seem pics posted but I checked them on your profile, looks nice.
what's the engine supposed to be?
_________________
"how am i supposed to torque the rear wheel nut to 250 ft lbs??? " - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
Most experts aren't.

[Spiderrail]

[BFB]

Nice. At least they didnt tell you it was a 2115 stroker, seems every one i see someone trying to sell all have strokers…. But run stock carb. Heh heh
_________________
"how am i supposed to torque the rear wheel nut to 250 ft lbs??? " - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
Most experts aren't.

[oprn]

Welcome to the Samba!

Good price on a sweet sand rail!

I hope you found the actual cause of the blown cooler. That is something that should not have happened buy could again if there is a problem that has not been addressed. Tell us what your cold oil pressure is and what weight oil you are running.
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Our cars get old, we get old but driving an old VW never gets old!

[Spiderrail]

[oprn]

[cbeck]

Here ya go. Click on insert photo from my recent photos to post pics.

If running front brakes you need something to limit the front suspension from rotating the wrong direction when using the brakes in reverse.
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My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[BFB]

C.B. performance's magna spark distributor is really nice and runs for being a mechanical advance only. I always prefer a dizzy with both mechanical & vacuum advance though
_________________
"how am i supposed to torque the rear wheel nut to 250 ft lbs??? " - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
Most experts aren't.

[Dale M.]

[oprn]

The front drums look empty.
_________________
Our cars get old, we get old but driving an old VW never gets old!

[Spiderrail]

In hindsight,idid just pull it over a cold mountain pass before I fired it up. PO lives in Ogden but I doubt he ran around in it in the winter. 40wt seems appropriate for summertime.

No brakes up front.

Got some aluminum in to the shop, should get some time later this week to fab some stuff.

What’s the process of rebuilding a link pin front end, or do I just run it and replace with longer travel later down the road?

Appreciate all the replies!

[cbeck]

If I wasn't putting in an irs, I wouldn't spend much money for more front travel.
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My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[Spiderrail]

Any opinions on my paddle tires being a little too aggressive for my motor and trans?

Ordered the magna spark ll from cb.

[Dale M.]

[Spiderrail]

It will be pure sand, st Anthony’s and little Sahara. I’ve got dirt tires for playing around in the woods.

Fortunately the buggy was jetted for st Anthony, and my elevation is roughly the same, depending on what mountain I’m on.

[BFB]

[Spiderrail]

B

etter pic of carb and dizzy. Tried to clean up the plug wires but they were interfering with the linkage.

[BFB]

I always like picking up a new buggy and seeing what ppl do and scratching your head trying to figure out why. like the rubber fuel line to metal line ( which looks like brake line ) then back to rubber. I get it if you were out an a rubber line got damaged but other than that why add a section of metal line especially a small one like that
_________________
"how am i supposed to torque the rear wheel nut to 250 ft lbs??? " - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
Most experts aren't.

[Spiderrail]

It’s actually copper line. I kinda get why they did it, to route it close to the fan shroud and have no rubbing issues, but it seems like one solid line would have less potential issues.

Got an aluminum air cleaner housing coming, the current stamped one looks a little cheap and feels sloppy.

Anyone know what fuel pump I have there? Guessing alternator style. I’m putting a kit together for my Offroad adventures and would like a spare.