The Dutchmans winter rail rebuild

[thedirtydutchman]

Well..........there has been a change in plans for this build. Due to a conversation with my wife last night. Since we lost our dog(r.i.p gus) we have both been feeling like getting out and exploring this great state we live in. I have always wanted to go out and see new things and experince new places but we could only do so much when we had the dog. Now we have a whole new world of freedom opened up for us. I was not sure how she(heidi) would feel about road tripping in the rail but when I brought it up last night she was all about it! So, now I will be shifting the focus of this thing from a mostly trail partly street rig to a mostly street rig with some trail mixed in. I am VERY excited about trippin in this thing and I think it will be just the adventure we are both looking for. I will be either building a small trailer or some sort of roof rack to hold stuff on trips and going with a more street friendly tire and suspention set up and probably some sort of exhaust thats not so friggen loud.If anyone has any ideas on how to make this thing better for some trips I welcome the ideas! I know a rail is not the best road trip vehicle but thats part of the fun!

[vw1s]

HEAT!!!
I've often thought about a street rail...Comfort is a relative term here. The first issue that comes to mind is the ability to shield yourself from the elements, although, with the body and windshield, you have a good start. A solid floor will be in order for sure! A "firewall" between the engine and seats will obviously help control unwanted "interior" noise. I'd consider running heat exchangers for those unexpected cold snaps. Could plumb some ducts up by your feet. MAM sells seat heaters also. Stock HD trans mounts, NO solid mounts!!!
KYB "gas-a-just" shocks in the rear, gr2's up front. Obviously all the lights require by law, I would also add a couple of conveniently placed interior lights. (Every once in awhile the map has to come out)
Cup holders. For tunes, I've considered building a speaker enclosure with an amp, then just plug in my iPod.

[thedirtydutchman]

I was thinking of doing some sort of removable top or something. Firewall is a great idea! Not sure about adding heat but I might have to look into it. Space is very limited in the "cabin" of my rail so it will be a rather sparten set up. Heidi is ok with not have all the comforts of the truck so that will make it easier to do. Some sort of radio is a MUST for long trips. I might go with a wakeboarding style speaker and just plug my phone into it. I am leaning more to an "expedition" style build more than just strictly street. I would like to hit the dirt roads too!

[vanapplebomb]

Autozone is good for light gas/oil shocks. Gabriel is the brand to get. Cheap with a good warranty. When they go bad just bring them back in for new ones no questions asked.

[thedirtydutchman]

I am debating between gas and oil shocks. Ive been told oil ride softer

[vanapplebomb]

I'm not sure who evan makes straight oil shocks these days. Maybe cofap still does, but you are looking at 50 bucks a pop for those, ridiculous, I know. Just get some cheap light duty shocks. Monroe at napa or Gabriel at autozone. They are pretty much the same light gas charged shocks, so not to stiff. They are probably less than 15 bucks a pop and will work great.

[thedirtydutchman]

I will look into that when the time comes. What does everyone think of using plexi glass for a rear window/firewall?

[vanapplebomb]

Not to shoot down your idea, but that stuff really sucks. The first time you try and clean it it will get all kinds of little scratches in it from wiping it with something that isn't perfectly clean and it chips easy. I would go with a better material. Lexan would be better. It won't turn foggy from all the little scratches after wiping the dust and dirt off of it three or four times.

How about making a frame and using automotive safety glass? I'm sure an auto glass place could cut a section and mount it in a frame.

[thedirtydutchman]

Lexan would work too. I want to make it removable so the auto glass is a no go.

[thedirtydutchman]

Woohooo! Got my 85.5s today Now I just gotta get my heads over to Patrick and I can get the motor back together!

[thedirtydutchman]

No updates on the rail but, thanks to DaveT I no longer have to deal with the horrible smell of kerosene for heat anymore! I am very happy about this. Thanks again Dave

[thedirtydutchman]

Update! The rail is at a friends place having a super sweet stainless dash/gauge/switch panel built. Also doing a custom roof rack/tire holder/light bar. Patrick is coming over sunday to help get the new p and c's and cleaned up heads on. I got most of my motor parts in so the motor will be back together soon. Might have to see if DaveT will let me come over to fire it in his motor stand (hint hint)! Starting to gather stuff for the re wire job on it. Slowly coming along. The sun is out today and it makes me motivated for spring! I am however looking for 1 7.00×15 tire for a spare. Anyone have one laying around?

[Deleted]

You are welcome, and any time I am home we can fire that bad boy up.

[thedirtydutchman]

thanks dave!

[thedirtydutchman]

Got the top end put back together today with Patricks help. Its coming along! Still have some clean up work to do.