Sandrails

yz250roost · Aug 22, 2003

Hey guys,
Well, my Dad and I have been debating about getting a Sandrail for a while now, and I don't think we are very close to making a solid decision, but I'd like your guys input on Sandrails, or dune buggies, and wether or not it would be worth our time to have one. I'll tell you our scenario; I'm 22 going to be married in May,so I won't be at the house anymore, I will be within and hour drive to my house so I can still come back home if need be. My father is disabled, he has a hard time moving around because his muscles are weak, so there is no way he could lift a leg over a bike or even a quad because there would be no support for his back, he needs to lean against something. So I was thinking that a Sandrail would be good for him, because he used to ride Dirt bikes back in the 60's and 70's but now he hasn't been to the desert for a long time and I know he really wants to be with us when we go out there. Whenever we come back from a trip he is just waiting to hear all about it and how much fun we had. Now for the big questions. I've heard that sandrails are like boats, there's always something that's broken, or it isn't running right. Is that true? Since I am the one that repairs most vehicles in my household, I would have to have enough time to repair the rail. Any ideas on what would be good for my father would be greatly appreciated, I know he wants to get back out there and I would love to help him. So finally would it be a wise decision to get a sandrail? thanks. p.s. we will mainly be riding in the desert, not the dunes.

jaction125 · Aug 22, 2003

Ever think about a Honda Oddessey or a Honda Pilot? They made some in the mid to late eighties that were 350 single cylinder two strokes with fully independent front and rear suspension, reverse, centrifugal(sp) clutch like a snowmobile. I rode one a couple of times and it was an absolute blast. I think it was air cooled though so it may have overheating trouble in the desert.

Tree · Aug 22, 2003

I've had a dune buggy and it was alot of fun but you have the analogy right it was like a boat constently working on it and sinking money into it. It all depends on the type of motor you run. If you stick to a stock set-up they can be pretty reliable. The only problem for me is the more I rode it the more I wanted to go faster and bigger this ment more money and less reliability. After a few trips of constant wrenching I decided to sell all my stuff and buy a brand new KTM and I'm sure glad I did.

Ol'89r · Aug 23, 2003

YZ250roost.

If you get a late model A-arm sand car with an engine other than a VW, you can have a pretty dependable set up.

They are using many different engines in buggies now and you can usually find one of these cars used for a reasonable price. Honda, Subaru, Toyota and even Caddy V-8 Norstar engines are pretty common place.

If you can find a used Fun-Co car, it would be perfect for your dad. The Fun-Co frame is a 4 A-arm type frame and it has the door ways cut out so that you don't have to climb over the frame rail to get in and out of the car. All other frames, you have to climb in and out of them. This may be difficult for your dad. Harder than getting on and off of a motorcycle.

Fun-Co also uses the Subaru engine. It is a 2.5 Liter pancake engine like the VW engine except it is water cooled and very reliable. The Subaru can be turbo charged and will produce 450+ horse power. Of course, your reliability will go down with that much HP.

I built a Chenowth 4 A-arm car for a customer with a 400 HP Subaru engine and the thing is an absolute blast. The engine works good down low, up high and everywhere in between. You can putt around at a low rpm or stand on it til your eyes get blurry. :scream:

If your interested in a Fun-Co, I believe they are in Fontana. Get ahold of George. He builds a very nice car.

PM me if you need any more info.

Good luck. :thumb:

Ol'89r

JuliusPleaser · Aug 23, 2003

If you have to stick with air-cooled VW power, try to find a rail with a stock 1600 or 1776 with a mild cam and a single Weber or Dell'orto carb. The dual carbs are a giant PITA to keep synchronised.

splatt · Aug 23, 2003

Originally posted by Julius Pleaser
If you have to stick with air-cooled VW power, try to find a rail with a stock 1600 or 1776 with a mild cam and a single Weber or Dell'orto carb. The dual carbs are a giant PITA to keep synchronised.

 

Definately stay with a single carb on a VW. My buddy has duals on his manx buggy and like JP said its a pita. When its running right its a fun car but when its out of tune it won't get out of its own way. I'd go with a 2.0/2.3 Ford or a 22RE Toyota.Both of them have alot more power than a stock VW and are more reliable IMHO.

 

Steve

yz250roost · Aug 25, 2003

Hey thanks guys, I think I'll look into the funco cars, sounds like that's just what my dad needs. How much do these cars run used? We have a small budget compared to what some of these rails are running. I do have a friend that has a hi jumper that just dropped a Caddy Norstar engine into, talk about a quick rail! That rail has probably seen about $30,000 in it's making.

JasonJ · Aug 25, 2003

I second the Honda Odessy or Pilot idea, those things are cool and your in there with a full roll cage.
Let me add a few things having ridden in, driven a few, and seen alot on the trail.
First, you get dirty and wet. If there is water, its on you, if your in dust, its on you, floor pans and lexane help but what ever it is, its still on you.
Yeah lots of guys having issues tuning the VW carbs, I think alot of the issue with breaking parts comes from the fact that people TRASH these rails as fast as they will go.
Lots of riding areas are not rail friendley, they are two wide for two to pass on most trails and the dudes often driving them are often the balls to the wall ceg of beer in the passenger seat Mad Max beyond thunder dowm type. :) making coming up on one going the other way a nervous moment.
Good luck with it though, My girlfriend wants to build one from a kit some day. Ive been checking them out on Ebay and there appear lots to be had usally with a trailer in the $2500 range. Often they are for sale in pairs for some reason?????

Ol'89r · Aug 26, 2003

Originally posted by yz250roost
Hey thanks guys, I think I'll look into the funco cars, sounds like that's just what my dad needs. How much do these cars run used? We have a small budget compared to what some of these rails are running.

yz250roost.

The new cars with all of the goodies are pretty expensive. I have seen some of them go over $100,000.00 to build, depending upon what engine, shocks and trick stuff that you may want to add. The engine package alone can run upwards of $ 25,000.00.

Used ones are the way to go. You can find them in the back of the Cycle Trader or Truck Trader for a fraction of what they cost to build. If you can't find a used Fun-Co, you could always have a good fabricator cut open the door area and weld in tubing like the Fun-Co car.

Good luck in your search. :thumb:

Sandrails

yz250roost

jaction125

Tree

Ol'89r

JuliusPleaser

Too much of a good thing.

splatt

Resident mental case

yz250roost

JasonJ

Ol'89r

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