| Author |
Message |
cyrus-the-virus
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2008
Posts: 20
Location: Ephrata, WA
|
 Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:16 pm Post subject: First sandrail project: advice/warnings/words of wisdom? |
 |
|
Ok so I just got my first sandrail project. It needs work but I got a good buy on it. $400 Comes with an engines, seats, seat belts, turning brakes, just about everything to get it running. I can't wait to start working on it.
As per the title anyone got any advice/warnings/words of wisdom for me? Any suggestions as to what I should do with it beyond getting it running and enjoying it?
http://s525.photobucket.com/albums/cc332/cyrus-the-virus/Sandrail/
Thanks guy's. I can get more pictures if nessisary tomarrow, it's to dark out now. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
ZARJDR
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2008
Posts: 1039
Location: Eureka, Ca
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Like you I bought a very cheap mostly complete project needing a lot of work. I have had several Baja Bugs over the years and this was my first tube frame off-road only car. Just over a year and many upgrades later I can tell you I am having more fun than ought to be allowed!!! Watch The Samba, Craigslist, and E-bay for serious buys on good used items as you can save a ton on improvements that way. Enjoy!
_________________
2006 RAM 1500 HEMI 4X4 92 LT250
06 Raptor DP1776 Sandrail
02 HONDA 400EX
03 YAMAHA WR450F 74 BAJA |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cyrus-the-virus
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2008
Posts: 20
Location: Ephrata, WA
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| ZARJDR wrote: |
| Like you I bought a very cheap mostly complete project needing a lot of work. I have had several Baja Bugs over the years and this was my first tube frame off-road only car. Just over a year and many upgrades later I can tell you I am having more fun than ought to be allowed!!! Watch The Samba, Craigslist, and E-bay for serious buys on good used items as you can save a ton on improvements that way. Enjoy! |
I woulden't even know where to start for upgrades. I don't know enough about this tuype of stuff. It's a good thing one of my co-workers is a seasened VW sandrail nut to give me some advice. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ZARJDR
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2008
Posts: 1039
Location: Eureka, Ca
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
After successfully getting it running, and then driving, my first upgrade would be padding for the cockpit portion of cage, followed by a good set of offroad shocks. Turning brakes are awesome, a good off-road specific air filter with a pre-filter, true off-road extractor system etc. If you read the threads on this forum you will find that no-one here ever has a car that is finished!!!!!!
_________________
2006 RAM 1500 HEMI 4X4 92 LT250
06 Raptor DP1776 Sandrail
02 HONDA 400EX
03 YAMAHA WR450F 74 BAJA |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cyrus-the-virus
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2008
Posts: 20
Location: Ephrata, WA
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I've already got turning breaks for it, came with the package. I'll have to start researching suspension then. I feel like a kid on chirstmass day. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Timmo
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2004
Posts: 105
|
| Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2009 9:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| so another one to be infected with the bug of off roading. like said above...no one has a finished car lol. it's fun and addicting, just don't keep track of how much u spend on it lol |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ZiggyG
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2007
Posts: 18
Location: Oceanside Ca., Lake Havasu City Az.
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Timmo wrote: |
| so another one to be infected with the bug of off roading. like said above...no one has a finished car lol. it's fun and addicting, just don't keep track of how much u spend on it lol |
Wish someone had given me that advise a few years ago.. 
_________________
Life is Grand, treat it that way. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ataim
Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2009
Posts: 219
Location: Fort Worth
|
| Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I would read this. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=354795&highlight=lost+friend
and then don't scrimp on safty issues.
What kind of driving will you be doing the most? Make sure that your tires match what kind of driving. It looks like you have a Link pin in the front and swing in the rear. I'd add a good enginge cage. You can have a load of fun with that car.
_________________
I like steak. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cyrus-the-virus
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2008
Posts: 20
Location: Ephrata, WA
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 9:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
| ataim wrote: |
I would read this. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=354795&highlight=lost+friend
and then don't scrimp on safty issues.
What kind of driving will you be doing the most? Make sure that your tires match what kind of driving. It looks like you have a Link pin in the front and swing in the rear. I'd add a good enginge cage. You can have a load of fun with that car. |
It's IRS in the rear not swing, yeah I plan on adding an engine cage to it before I take it out.
I've got 5 point harnesses for it, and I plan on wearing a helmat in it aswell. Safety shoulden't be an issue. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DSTMULE
Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2006
Posts: 402
Location: SOCAL
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
Sandrails....The Best Vice i ever had.
Since this is your first one, try to keep it simple and spend the minimum amount of $$ to go out and bounce around and have fun.
Once you know you and wife /girlfriend enjoy this hobby you can upgrade to something better. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
thesatelliteguy
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2007
Posts: 1515
Location: Santa Rosa CA
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
I just cant help but to put my $0.02 in about that front hoop needing some extra support. maybe some straight tubing going down to the front beam area. I have never had a rail but ive welded on a few of their tubing. i just think you have 4 welded tubes holding up whats going to keep your head and back from being crushed. you also have to consider, what if it goes down hard sideways and upside down, pushing the top part off.
But thats just what i initially think when i look at it.
_________________
Toyotas are so bumpy it makes me sick, literally.
My build Page http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=383878 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cyrus-the-virus
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2008
Posts: 20
Location: Ephrata, WA
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 5:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| thesatelliteguy wrote: |
I just cant help but to put my $0.02 in about that front hoop needing some extra support. maybe some straight tubing going down to the front beam area. I have never had a rail but ive welded on a few of their tubing. i just think you have 4 welded tubes holding up whats going to keep your head and back from being crushed. you also have to consider, what if it goes down hard sideways and upside down, pushing the top part off.
But thats just what i initially think when i look at it. |
I was thinking the same thing.
| DSTMULE wrote: |
Sandrails....The Best Vice i ever had.
Since this is your first one, try to keep it simple and spend the minimum amount of $$ to go out and bounce around and have fun.
Once you know you and wife /girlfriend enjoy this hobby you can upgrade to something better. |
haha sadely I think the girlfriend is more excited about it then I am(despite just being in a roll over accident with me).
I plan on keeping my expendatures to a minimum but I'd still like to make future plans. I'm hoping to keep it under a grand thus far. I know I need a battery, tires, clutch, few misc parts here and there. The engine is going to have to be rebuilt unfortunetly.
My concern is though the rear suspension seems really stiff, it seems like it would bounce really bad in a hard landing.
If I decide I love the dunes what would you guy's reccomend to a poor man. Just adding upgrades to this frame as I go? Or just leaving this one as is and build a new one? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jakeddy
Samba Member
Joined: November 18, 2008
Posts: 192
Location: Oklahoma
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| My .02, get it running and safe and just go have fun. There's always going to be someone out there with bigger/better, don't try to outdo or necessarily even keep up with them. That's a trap lots of people fall into with any hobby. Hobbies are fun addictions are not. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
thesatelliteguy
Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2007
Posts: 1515
Location: Santa Rosa CA
|
| Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 7:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| jakeddy wrote: |
| There's always going to be someone out there with bigger/better, don't try to outdo or necessarily even keep up with them. That's a trap lots of people fall into with any hobby. |
Thats the trap i have fallen into.
_________________
Toyotas are so bumpy it makes me sick, literally.
My build Page http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=383878 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ZARJDR
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2008
Posts: 1039
Location: Eureka, Ca
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 9:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
Rear shocks, re-index rear torsions if necessary. Sand is a blast, my rail is old school, but still an awesome amount of fun. If you have to build your engine, go big now, do not wait. The difference is negligible for cost, and sand takes power. Nothing less than a dual port dual carb motor will keep you happy! The 1776 or 1835 are both long life and bigger power.
_________________
2006 RAM 1500 HEMI 4X4 92 LT250
06 Raptor DP1776 Sandrail
02 HONDA 400EX
03 YAMAHA WR450F 74 BAJA |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cyrus-the-virus
Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2008
Posts: 20
Location: Ephrata, WA
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 10:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
| ZARJDR wrote: |
| Rear shocks, re-index rear torsions if necessary. Sand is a blast, my rail is old school, but still an awesome amount of fun. If you have to build your engine, go big now, do not wait. The difference is negligible for cost, and sand takes power. Nothing less than a dual port dual carb motor will keep you happy! The 1776 or 1835 are both long life and bigger power. |
I already have a 1600cc engine, it just has to be rebuilt not built. un fortunetly it is just a single carb engine.
Assuming I love the dune I'll build an engine, but for now I think I'll just stick with the stock motor. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
vw_nick
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2005
Posts: 391
Location: Nashville, TN
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Looks like a fun project. I'm in the process of building a low-budget rail myself, but for in the woods. It's looking like I'll have a rebuilt, functional rail for about $1500. A little more than what you're looking to have into yours I think, but I've swapped some stuff out I didn't necessairly need to. (ie, IRS, rear wheels & tires) - oh, and worry about how stiff the rear suspension is after you have the engine back there. It adds a lot of weight to the rear end.
here's my thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=355336&highlight=buggy
_________________
Nick |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
pafree
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2005
Posts: 2298
Location: dayton, the one in texas
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2009 7:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
| cyrus-the-virus wrote: |
I already have a 1600cc engine, it just has to be rebuilt not built. un fortunetly it is just a single carb engine.
Assuming I love the dune I'll build an engine, but for now I think I'll just stick with the stock motor. |
a 1600 single port will give you enough in the beginning. you will be surprized how much torque a fresh 1600 sp puts out. i have put together two rails with 1600s, one like yours and one with a shorter wheel base and both could spin tire and the rear would get squirrelly when you put your foot into it in the soft stuff.
x2 on reinforcing the upper cage and maybe after you decide which seats you are going to use, maybe shorten how high it sits and/or slant the roof down in the front. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
michelevit
Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2006
Posts: 42
|
| Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
My advice would be (and i'm sure many will disagree)
you are better off purchasing a running more complete rail.
You will spend 3 to 4 times more money on getting that project running
than you would buying a complete rail that someone else is bored with.
spend an afternoon virtual building.
make a shopping list of all the items you need. add tax
add shipping. Dont forget the small stuff like wiring, switches, lights,
nuts and bolts, seatbelts...
then go on craigslist or ebay and see what is available used.
There are many available completed rails on craigslist or ebay. Some are
trick with 1600's turbos, paddles... many under 5k.
I speak of this from experience and finished building a frame up rail.
If I were to do it again, I would just purchase a completed used rail.
It would have saved thousands of dollars that I could have put towards
The money saved could have been put toward improving it, spare wheels with paddles.
I know the journey is worth more than the destination, and I probally enjoy working and fabbing on the rail rather than driving it, but
you'll be throwing a ton of money when you can just purchase a completed project for a fraction of what you'll be spending. You can still
modify and improve it and make it your own, but what your starting with is going to take more time and money. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ZARJDR
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2008
Posts: 1039
Location: Eureka, Ca
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
This is mine today. I started out a year ago with a $900.00 piece of rusted, mistreated, but mostly running pile of crap. Updates include strip to prime and repaint, reinforce front beam, spindle mount front rims and tires, alum 12X15 with new paddles in rear. Hydraulic clutch with wilwood master cylinders and billet roller throttle. New extractor exhaust, dual weber 44 IDF. Six KC 100w offroad lights, Neal turning brakes, new tie rods and ends, and shocks at all four corners, as well as extending front shock towers. Just to name the big changes, total investment 1 year and about $2,500.00 including the purchase price. I now know more about this rail than one would believe possible, and that is the point of doing it oneself. I own this baby front, center and rear. I am a thrifty shopper, and routinely use e-bay, craigslist, samba etc. Many of the aformentioned items were new and unused, and a fraction of the cost of storebought!! Sorry about the long post, but obviously I believe in the do it yourself method.
_________________
2006 RAM 1500 HEMI 4X4 92 LT250
06 Raptor DP1776 Sandrail
02 HONDA 400EX
03 YAMAHA WR450F 74 BAJA |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
