Sand Rail Project

[Ruffuss]

Yeah! If you get caught doing it the easy way at Silver Lake it cost you big time, they can even take your ride until you pay. Don't mess with the DNR they have more power then a State cop and can be real @#^%$ about it.

[bren]

Driving down the road you get blasted with wind in this rail. Even with the windshield the wind is strong. So, I thought maybe a wing at the front might help throw the air up to the windshield and over me. I made a test 'wing' out of laminate flooring. Put it on and went around the country block. It did seem to make a difference. Still a lot of wind but less punishing on my face. Car did seem a little less stable so I might play with different angles or something.

[teamafx]

Do they need front brakes to be street legal? I keep looking at one for sale near me but it doesn't have front brakes.

[clintonddk]

As far as I know, no they do not need front brakes.

[bren]

Mine is street legal. I went through the inspection process. Passed with only rear brakes.

[bone]

a side note kinda....i use a handheld gps for a speedo. garmin e trex works great and i cant take it in the woods with me hunting. plus its got a track maker so i can always find my way home when im in unfamiliar trails, i havnt even paid the extra to put the maps on it because with the track maker i dont need them

[bren]

Interesting. I don't have a speedo yet and want to. I will look into that.

[bren]

Rail is put away for the winter.
Last day at the track I spun the clutch disc (at least I hope that is all it was.) Over the winter I hope to get a few things done on the rail.

• pull motor, replace clutch disc
  
• powdercoat tins, install stock oil cooler, install oil pump/filter and get rid of those oil lines.
  
• install the race trim seats
  
• run the side panels all the way to the back of the frame (never understood why it was stopped where it was)
  

Hopefully I can get this all done along with the bus....

[gunner]

Bren, This is the post I sent you a PM on earlier. I like the red rail! But I'm more for the Yellow! Like mine. Both are very sweet!

Mine is down for the winter also. I'm stealing parts from mine to mock up my daughters rail. I posted some of those pics in "My daughter toy"

As far as your wind problem, I made a plate that push the wind down, not up. You might see it in one of the pics. The wind ended up more in my stomach area, if that makes sense. Also, I plan to have a hood put on this winter. That should help out alot!

Looking forward to meeting members next spring, or even over the winter.

[bren]

Worked on the rail a little today. Removed the oil cooler and filter. Going to switch to a dog house oil cooler and filter/pump. Plan is to remove the bar to allow more room for the suspension seats. I need to figure out a way to mount the seats. Previous seats were basically just mounted to the diamond plate floor. Not the best plan in my opinion.


Removed the side panels:

I have made side panels to finish going to the back of the cabin area. Previously they stopped just forward of the seats. Did not look right in my opinion.
Next is to have the side panels and engine tin powder coated.

[bren]

Did some garage organizing lately. Inherited a new workbench from my father-in-law's estate. Very nice addition to the garage.

Setting that up let me clean up and organize another bench area I had.

Then I got my new (used) compressor moved, set up, and wired. Being oil free it is noisy but the price was too good to pass up. Also got a pressurized sand blaster in the package deal. Garage is much nicer to work in now.


Bought a cheap Kawasaki grinder from TSC on sale before Christmas. Burned it up twice already. This time I stepped up and got a real tool. Amazing, what a difference.


OK, back to the rail:

Monday after work I used that new grinder and removed the bar behind the seats to make room for the new suspension seats.




Next up is figuring out exactly how to mount these. Need to create headroom while still being able to reach the pedals, shifter, and steering wheel. Might have to move the pedals and shifter rearward a little. We will see.

[bren]

Took the side panels and engine tin to the tough coat for powder coating this morning. Now, on to mounting the seats.

[MadMike]

Just a heads up on those filter pump combos ther not that great (search the samba) plus some won't clear a decent header system,your better off doing a full flow,Looks like your gonna need to cut that purdy floor and tilt the seats back to gain headroom , Madmike

[bren]

With full flow what is the best mounting location on a rail? The case is already full flowed. Just not sure I like having the hoses etc. I recall reading that having them mounted high is not a good idea. Recommendations?

I am not excited about the changes I have to make to the frame and floor to get the seats in. However, my back and backside will appreciate those suspension seats when it is all done.

[vw1s]

This is what I recommend, keeps the filter with the engine, no lines to disconnect when pulling the engine.
www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C12%2D3015%2D20

Filter pump combos are useless, they are a "bypass" type sytem. "Full flow" means 100% of the oil goes through the filter, then, returns to the engine to do it's job.
The filter pumps allow oil to follow the original path in and out of the pump, with any excess flow going through the filter. Only a small portion of oil will be filtered. Even worse, as the filter gets dirty, flow will be restricted, sending more oil down the path of least resistance, unfiltered oil, directly through your most vital engine parts...