Hi! New here need help.

[MadNitro]

OK, I've bin dreaming of a air cooled dune buggy / sandrail since the first time I saw one at the age of 5... 28 years latter Im finaly ready but I've got a tun of questions and need some guidance. If there are some books / we sights that are must haves Pleas let me know.

1) 2 seater vs 4 seater? Pros / cons
2) VW registration vs ASPT registration (in Florida)
3) Are there years to avoid? Mortor year? Trans year?

I've got more questions for sure but don't Wana make my first post too long

Thanks in advance yall

[pullstart]

Having 4 seats doesn’t mean it’s a 4 seater... if you plan to have teens or adults in the back seat(s), bring them along to test the car! I am in the middle of figuring out how to handle no leg or head room in my 4 seater, now that I’ve had it 2 years and my kids are growing so rapidly. It has been treated as a 2 seater this season, for safety reasons.

Good luck in your search for the perfect ride, I was sure the buggy I bought would give us plenty of fun for many years, but now I’ve changed about everything on the car, but the frame!
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4 seater Appletree buggy, road legal with 002 IRS, 3x3 Appletree kit, 6" over Dan's beam with 10" towers and Fox 2.0 shocks, '00 Subaru EJ25 with KEP stage 3 clutch and KEP adapter plate.

my build page: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662104&start=0

[Fenix]

[B Ramsey]

I started with a 4-seater. With growing boys, it evolved into 2 2-seaters. works out better as one always breaks and the other tows.
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Go outside and do something.

[MadNitro]

Wow good info all around... Tho I would still like to know if there are years for parts I should avoid or perhaps I should be asking are there some years of VW power trims / suspension that where better then others?

[pullstart]

That is a topic that many will debate... some swear that swing axle is where it’s at, I understand that is a taste you acquire. IRS rear suspension seems to be the norm for aftermarket strength. Front link pin suspension generally does better off road and allows more travel. But IRS AND LINK PIN were never a factory option, so it would have been built/modified that way. Anything you find within reason is workable and will end up being a riot.
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4 seater Appletree buggy, road legal with 002 IRS, 3x3 Appletree kit, 6" over Dan's beam with 10" towers and Fox 2.0 shocks, '00 Subaru EJ25 with KEP stage 3 clutch and KEP adapter plate.

my build page: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662104&start=0

[Mal evolent]

read this: http://www.aircooled.net/vw-performance-engines/

the best cases are '73 and later, dual oil relief, 8 mm studs

swing arm if you like rolling over. IRS if you prefer to remain upright

read the baja bugs for volkswagen virgins links below. there is no info about swingarms or link pins because I don't care for rolling over, and the IRS cars have ball joint front ends
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73 Beetle Baja, Ghia front brakes, Type 3 rear brakes, 2220 ( 94 X 80 ), Weber Progressive, Bosch SVDA, '97 Mustang seats

Baja Bugs for Volkswagen Virgins: Index

[cbeck]

Depends on how you plan to use it. Street, woods, sand? How much hp and how hard you run it could determine needed trans/cv joints/suspension. Sorry, no 1 size fits all answer. Toolz and skillz?
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My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[Bock]

Welcome to the forum and good luck whichever way you go. My baja is swingarm and balljoint (1966). It's probably the worst of the worst just ahead of super beetle for offroad. It is what it is... but I have a welder.