Hey guys, I have been wanting a sand rail/dune buggy for a loooong time. Ever since I was little, they have interested me, but I have never had the motivation to get one. Well, I had a guy offer one to me in trade of my 2003 Raptor 660, and honestly, since I ride my 4 wheeler prolly once a year (less than 3 tanks of fuel in 4 years) I think it would be something new and exciting to try out. Possibly something to fix up and trade up for something else of interest later on after I'm done with it.

To be honest, I don't know much about Volkswagen's, but several people tell me it's very similar to working on small engines (like I do all the time) and they are simple as all hell.

Here is what he has to trade....a custom built 94" wheelbase sandrail from a Warrior knock-down kit. Rear susp is a stock style early 70's beetle and the front susp is from the same car. The engine is a pretty much stock 1600cc VW with a single venturi carb and dual port heads (prolly 40 to 45hp?). The tranny is a 4 speed of some sort. People say it's better to have a tranny out of a bus because it's stronger. How the hell am I to know which tranny it has??? The rail has a few minor things to work out like the brakes, some shotty brake line issues, an oil leak or two, install a muffler, and get some real whels on it other than the stock s-10 wheels.....just to be street legal. I prolly won't take it off road, I just want it for a daily commuter to and from work (5 miles) and weekend car to take out when I get tired of driving my 69 Camaro.

I'm kinda new to this, so if anyone has any advice, please don't be shy to voice any advice you have to offer. Any buggy forums that you know of?

Just FYI, I haven't traded yet. I went to look at it on Wednesday and took some pics which I'll post shortly. If I'm gonna trade him, it will prolly be this coming Sunday. Kinda wanna see what I'm getting myself into before I jump.

Thanks guys,

~Joe


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Joe what happened to the drag truck/car idea!!!!????
(this is supposed to be in all caps, but it won't allow me to) LOL

I don't know what your commuting traffic is like, but you could not pay me to drive that thing on a road with other cars. Talk about not meeting crash test standards...

Looks like a pretty clean buggy. I have a '74 VW Beetle in the restoration process and, yes they are very easy to work on and parts are cheap. Looks like alot of fun.
Check out this website:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewforum.php?f=9&sid=ad81ed0b20247a5f9813c323bc6c4135


I'd say go for it!

Joe even if you can get it DMV approved for street use, you'll end up using it less than your Raptor. You'll be wearing the road your driving on and chocking on the exhaust of vehicles around you.

Traffic is minimal in our area.
I agree with DJD, it's like an oversized go kart, while it is fun, it cant go the places a dirt bike or lifted ATV can.

You have an IRS Transaxle in it now. Stock front beam that someone cut the shock towers off of (pretty common for a rail used in the sand).
Check out Joe Chirco's site http://www.chircoestore.com Great guy with tons of knowledge. Used to go to school with him.
My brother and I used to run a Chenowth High Jumper rail and a 64 Class 6 Baja around on the street all of the time. They make great/cheap transportation and get great mileage. And they are also easy to repair along side the road (bailing wire and Duct tape).

I would recommed putting a winshield (with wipers) in it for street use along with a front bumper (which you can buy as a bolt on to where the front beam attaches) and some good VW wheels/tires. You obivously know what else it needs. Seeing that it has diamond plate for a floor you will be OK for small road debre but if it is wet out you will want a complete rain suit or you can but a fiberglass body to cover the front (leg area).

Oh and if the motor isn't dripping oil... It is empty! (they always leak) It is alot of fun to drive but I agree that it cannot go as many places as a bike or four wheeler.

Look in the San Diego craigs list to see what you can get. Not sure what your Raptor is worth but I put 2-3K at the very maximum for that rail. The other things is the rail frame. They crack over time and depending on what it's been through you could end up on the end of the stick that is so short it's going to jab you hard until you can get rid of it.

if I were him I would trade also!!