What to look for when buying your Dune Buggy

Fun is fun. You can have a wonderful time with taking a stock floor pan, welding a rollcage on top, giving it some decent tires to sit on, and going out to the dunes to hammer on it. Ugly- most definitely, but it's still fun for your first endeavor. I would recommend going with the full tube frame setup for a few different reasons, the most important being your safety. The sandrail should be looked at as a hybrid race vehicle with the proper safety gear in place. Full bucket seats, helmets ( standard motorcycle offroad helmet is fine) and quality racing harnesses for each rider are a must. Its worth the cost of making sure this equipment is in proper condition as well.

Buying a used or new project both have their own attractive qualities. You can build a brand new rail from the ground up and spend thousands ($5,000 to $10,000 is not uncommon) or purchase a used sand rail that may need a little tweaking to make it right for you. Paddle tires are a $1000.00 ticket, so find a ride with paddles, and hopefully a trailer.

As with any vehicle, consider what it's intended use will be. Do you want to go fast, climb dunes with ease, or tail drag in a full-on wheelie? How many people you plan to carry is also another big one. It sucks to have half of the family sitting at camp because all you have is a two seater.

What to look for? If you like to do the tricks, the wheelies, go with a short wheelbase (UNDER 100 inches) and big motor. A rear hanger (standard engine layout) should be used, and shift all your weight to the rear. Tons of fun here! This is the configuration I enjoy the most. The only problem is you are stuck with a two seater.

If you are into the racing scene, or want a stable layout to carry more passengers, go with a long wheelbase with a mid-engine design. In a mid engine, you are required to use swing axle components, which are lighter in both weight and duty. Seen them break, it makes for an ugly weekend.

Short wheelbase will be very maneuverable, a little choppy on the bumps, and light in the front end on big dunes. You will definitely need a turning brake for this setup. Look for a bus transmission if you are running a rear hanger. Why? They have stronger housings and gears. Tough transmission, far better than a stock IRS trans. If you are worried about the weight factor or just have to get a swing, look for beefed up side plates and heavier bolts. Remember, the swing axle characteristic pretty much prevents radical suspension travel. An IRS can be modified to have longer travel which means both higher controllable speed in the bumps, and a smooth ride.

The long wheelbase is a smoother ride, easier to keep the front end down on dunes, but harder to maneuver in tight situations.
Either way you go, get into the rail. if the seat is too high, is there room to adjust it's position?

If you have a helmet on (as I always do in rails) do you have enough head room? Buggy width is also a consideration. Is it comfortable with a passenger next to you, or a little cramped?
If buying a used, the entire dune buggy should be examined at the welds to see if there are cracks. If so, you may have to take care of that. Ensure the engine is supported from the frame as well as the factory "Froglegs". If not, the constant bouncing will fracture the welds and bend the "froglegs", causing drive train problems. Its pretty obvious when looking for these problems because of the missing paint in stress locations. The paint likes to chip and flake off if the steel tubing below has been flexed or stretched.

Any extra items included to the sand rail will add up very quickly, so if buying used, look for hydraulic turn brakes, paddle tires, and a trailer. A running motor is a plus, especially if it has dual webers or dellortos. What will it take to make it ready to hit the beach in actual dollar amount, and does it fit your budget?

Take the time to find the right sandrail for your needs and I will see you in the sand!