New Dune Runner Owner

[1stindoor]

Hello all,
Long time reader and follower of the site. I'm now the new owner of a Dune Runner. (4th VW I've owned...to date). Built on a 1960 pan with an 1835 engine. Trying to find information on the buggy. All I have at this point is it was from Dune Buggy Enterprises and has the T Bird hood. Hoping to fix all the glass issues and get it repainted sometime in the near future. Meanwhile it's a blast to drive. I'll get a picture uploaded shortly.

[1stindoor]

[1stindoor]

The battery is sitting on the pan behind the right rear wheel; outside of the body. It appears the only way to access it is to jack it up and remove the tire and then pulling it over the axle. I'm hoping when I get it to the body shop I can get them to either make an access point behind the passenger seat or build a battery well behind the passenger seat. Looking for suggestions on which would be the preferred course of action. Thanks.

[KAmes]

That's a wild color! My buggy came with the battery trapped like that also. There's absolutely no way to get it out without removing the tire, like you I was concerned I should change it. After some years owning it, in practice it has turned out to be a non issue. It's super easy to put jumper cables or a charger on, and the cables are tidy being so close to the starter. I've come to like it this way.

[1stindoor]

Thanks for the feedback. It's one of those things that really isn't an issue (yet), I'm just anticipating possible problems. I'll leave it be for awhile. The color wasn't a big deal to me. It's unique, but my preference is a candy apple red. I've always wanted either a red or blue buggy. I'm more partial to the red. I've got a soft top on the way.

[oprn]

That color is brilliant! I love it! Very unique.

This is my own personal opinion but the only color I can think of that would be more ordinary, boring, uninteresting, blasé than blue would be... perhaps... gray?

To me one of the reasons I drive a Buggy is because it stands out from the ordinary. They deserve unique stand out colors.
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Our cars get old, we get old but driving an old VW never gets old!

[1stindoor]

Noted, and thanks. I'm partial to red and blue because those are what I saw a lot of growing up. Most likely will stick to red when I get there. Meanwhile I'm having fun driving it. The more I learn about the Dune Runner, the more I like it. Definitely less common...unless you're old enough to remember Wonderbug.

[1stindoor]

New question...the buggy came with an EMPI Off Road Exhaust. I've always been partial to the "standard" Buggy Dual Exhaust (I had it on my sand rail). Is there an advantage or disadvantage of one over the other? At first glance it would seem tune-ups would be easier with the dual exhaust. Thanks all.

[EVfun]

[oprn]

In addition to the rough running below 2500 RPM the conventional duals are quite loud. My Street Buggy came with a set and after my first 2.5 hour drive on the highway my ears rang all evening.

If you go that route a set of ear plugs will help save your hearing. I expect the power pipes would be the same for noise.
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Our cars get old, we get old but driving an old VW never gets old!

[1stindoor]

Thanks all. I appreciate the time and help. I have dual 2 barrel webers on there. No issues with the exhaust as it is, just an astetics issue. I haven't had to do anything to the engine yet (knock on wood) so I can't determine if the off road exhaust will get in the way.

[1stindoor]