Sand Rail

[DJK]

I am thinking about making a sand rail, does anyone know where to get plans or have one that they would like to share

Thanks

[elvergon]

Plans gotta look for them on ebay or amazon...I think :S

But you should look at the kits they are selling at www.berrienbuggy.com

can´t beat a tacked chassis for $400

[MicroZone]

Those are a great price. Man, another project I'd like to take on....lol.

[smithboy]

I have been eyeballing these buggies for a long time. You need to get a sacrificial bug. I bet Big El V is in the perfect place to take advantage of these. Everyone tells me that those old vw's are all over Mexico.

[ZTFab]

Everyone tells me that those old vw's are all over Mexico.

Since they manufactured the "old" body style of Bug in mexico until 2003...there are a ton of them.

[elvergon]

Yeah, where I live there are lots of places where you see them a lot. Cola de Caballo (natural fall) its one. Lot´s of mountain trails. There´s also some rocky mountain rails. And some 4x4 parks. Actually my next project will be a Baja Bug. However here in Mexico all bugs had swing-axles....and for a nice ride you need IRS.

You might wanna check www.thesamba.com and go to the offroad section in the forum. Lot´s of good people and info out there

[fwalz3]

I've always wanted to build one but don't have too many places to drive it. Here are a couple of links I kept in my Favorites. The second link is a homemade kart w/ a motorcycle engine I thought was pretty cool


http://www.badlandbuggy.com/
http://www.nitrostreet.com/gocart.html

[smithboy]

What's required for a street-legal rail? I know it's different for different states, but does anyone know the basics for a street-legal vehicle or have a source for that info?

[prop-doctor]

it should be about the same all over, with some differences-- ( windsheild, a wiper, head an tail lights,a horn, an seat belts.) then we could get into the exhaust and fenders but it should be the same as for a car or truck
but shouldn t be a big deal to make one street legal

[DJK]

Thanks for the info I will check out those website
DJK

[elvergon]

If I remember at least here for Mexico you need turning lights, rear lights, seat belts, front lights and that´s probably it!

Ohh and BTW:....berrien warrior is 305 + shipping and tax not 400

[KRS]

If I remember at least here for Mexico you need turning lights, rear lights, seat belts, front lights and that´s probably it!

Ohh and BTW:....berrien warrior is 305 + shipping and tax not 400

I know it's not a short list... but other than purchasing the kit, what are the "big ticket" items that you would need to complete this $305 + shipping kit?

Engine
Tires & wheels
Seats
Fuel tank
???
???

[ZTFab]

I know it's not a short list... but other than purchasing the kit, what are the "big ticket" items that you would need to complete this $305 + shipping kit?



Engine
Swing axle Trans w/axles and brakes
Clutch
Shifter w/linkage
Seats
Seat belts
Fuel tank
Front beam w/trailing arms and spindles
Rear torsions w/spring plates
Shocks
Brake and clutch master cylinders (if hydraulic clutch is used)
Steering box
Tie-rods
Steering wheel
Steering shaft w/bearing support
Battery Box
Battery
Plumbing
Wiring and switches
Throttle pedal
Lights
Material for a floor if you want one (which can be ordered from Berrien)
Various nuts and bolts

[elvergon]

OR you can get a sacrifical bug for 600 bucks used and build your rail :D

It seems you´re pretty experienced in this Zero Tolerance....do you have any shop or pics of projects we could look at?

[ZTFab]

Hey Elvergon,

Here's a couple of projects that I've done that were posted on here before. I will try and get some more pics when I get back to my shop tomorrow. I've got a '70 Ford Bronco I'm building for a customer...I'll try and get some shots of that, too.

I've built a few sandrails. The latest one that I just help finish for a friend of mine is a Chenowth Explorer 4 seater running a Supercharged Toyota Tacoma 5VZ-FE 3.4L V6 with a Mendeola MD4S trans, KING coilovers, custom 3x3 trailing arms and a 6" over beam.

I haven't taken any recent pics of it yet as we will use this riding season to work the bugs out and then strip the chassis and paint/polish/powdercoat in the off season. I'll post some more pics when I get them...here's a shot of the engine in the chassis...

http://myspace-107.vo.llnwd.net/00513/70/11/513891107_l.jpg


Aluminum Bumper (http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=6225)

Truck builds (http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=6038)

Tool Steel Welding (http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=6020)

[elvergon]

Hey Elvergon,

Here's a couple of projects that I've done that were posted on here before. I will try and get some more pics when I get back to my shop tomorrow. I've got a '70 Ford Bronco I'm building for a customer...I'll try and get some shots of that, too.

I've built a few sandrails. The latest one that I just help finish for a friend of mine is a Chenowth Explorer 4 seater running a Supercharged Toyota Tacoma 5VZ-FE 3.4L V6 with a Mendeola MD4S trans, KING coilovers, custom 3x3 trailing arms and a 6" over beam.

I haven't taken any recent pics of it yet as we will use this riding season to work the bugs out and then strip the chassis and paint/polish/powdercoat in the off season. I'll post some more pics when I get them...here's a shot of the engine in the chassis...

http://myspace-107.vo.llnwd.net/00513/70/11/513891107_l.jpg


Aluminum Bumper (http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=6225)

Truck builds (http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=6038)

Tool Steel Welding (http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=6020)



I bet that´s what people here call: Horsepower and torque.

Very nice work, it´s amazing.

Yeah PLease post pics as you can :D we would love to see your work.

[ZTFab]

Thanks for the compliment Elvergon...

I posted a new thread in the "Projects and Pictures" section under "1970 Bronco..."

I'll post more pictures when I can.

- Paul

[bugdust]

I've owned a few sandrails ( I have part of one in the back yard now :laugh: ) Unless you really want to build one up totally from scratch, I'd look into buying someone else's project or an older rail that needs redone, especially if you have never built one. One advantage of this is the frame will have all the little mounting tabs there, the rear torsion housing is already welded (hopefully the right way), most of the parts you need are there, etc.

As far parts and stuff, like said above. http:/www.thesamba.com / has the biggest online VW classified section in the world and has an off-road forum and a fiberglass buggy forum. The check out www.shoptalkforums.com and www.dune-buggy.com

Good luck with it and post pics of your progress.