I'm going to order my new car and I'm Looking for opinion's on windshield and a hood. I have been in cars that have windshilds and like it. whats the good and the bad

The good is you dont get sand in youre eyes and it makes the sand car feel like a normal car. The bad is visibility is restricted and when youre going a 100 mph feels like 60

That's a good thing? I drive a "normal" car everyday and it gets boring.

I've driven a few cars and ridden in quite a few more. Here's MHO.



Hoods. They should be as low and visually unobtrusive as possible. When you're transitioning into a bowl, you need to see down low and a big high hood gets in the way. Someday, there might be someone in that blind spot you're flying into.


Windshields. Rather not.

1. They radically obstruct the airflow to your radiator. If your engine cooling was marginal, you're in for problems.

2. The obstructed airflow draws in gas and exhaust fumes to your rear seat passengers, causing them to get carsick much easier.

3. They create a vortex of sand behind them that swirls around the front seats and dash.

4. They can create glare at certain times.

5. They can get scratched or dusty, lessening visibility.




I'd recommend a low hood and no windshield. Buy full face street helmets and mount intercom mic and speakers in them. Completely eliminates sand in your face, eyes, hair and ears, cuts down on wind noise and engine noise, provides better visibility than goggles, and protects your face from cold air better than a windshield without affecting engine cooling. I run helmets, and I love them.

full body car in the hard desert I loved, except at night the glare from the hids was horrible, the dunes I hated it, cresting razorbacks I couldnt see a thing because of the hood, visibilty was limiting because of the frame for the glass, side to side and looking up when approaching a dune and I had to upgrade the radiator...never wore helmets in the car but sure like em in the rhino,the next car will be designed with helmets in mind and maybe a 2 section type hood with the front nose easily removable..?

Once you go to a hood and windshield you will NEVER go back... I've no complaints with visibility, glare etc, period. Love it!

Hood and windshield are THE BEST upgrade I have ever done to any of my 4 sand cars.I have an S/U Sand Pro 2 that I used 1 year without and now this year with.What a difference.The visibility was not affected at all,but the comfort level went way up.No fumes in the car what so ever,no difference in engine temp(500hp LS1).Some cars may be affected dirrerent,but mine is great..My opinion only,Good Luck with your build!!

In Oregon we are almost always by the beach which means fog or lots of dew on the windshields need a wiper and defroster. I think my next one I'll do the helmets w/intercom were going so fast and big now helmets can't hurt, plus you can run a few tear offs and be new again

One of the bigger sand car builders told me that some people get car sick easier with a windshield. I don't know why it would make a difference. Personally I like the wind coming through the car. Like most things there will be good and bad associated with a windshield.

Have a buddy with a taz that had a windshield, after the first night ride no more windshield. Couldn't see had to turn around and go back to camp. Sounds like from the answers here some cars must be more affected than others. I know you never see a funco with windshield or hood and I bet that visibility is the answer. For me being able to see well is one of the most important things in your car. I have even considered cuttin my roof in half. good luck. It would be warm at night though. ty.

I AGREE. I have the green tint auto glass and it is great.
Don~~~

Look at a the old style Funco and tell me how you are going to put a windshield in it. I have ridden in the Funco's and they sand you so bad you need a face shield.
DON~~~

I have a friend that owns a Tatum and during the off season he had a windshield installed. Now his car overheats on long dune rides. I know this wont happen to all cars but do you want to take a chance of yours being one of the ones that does have a problem. Thats my 2 cents

Get the wind shield!!

Couldn't agree more. I have had three cars without windshields and one with. Having a new Racer car built right now and I wouldnt own another car without a windshield. Absolutely love mine!! The heating issue is real but I just went with the biggest radiator I could fit in the car and rinning an oil coller as well and things are fine. I just love driving in sunglasses!! Good luck on your choice.

Driving with your sunglasses on is the best, never any glare, no overheating, would NEVER go back.

I guess it all depends on which car you have? IDK?
All of the aforementioned afflictions I have yet to encounter?

Check out my profile pics of the 3 cars lined up and you will see the differences in windshields..
Some are very small.

Mine is pretty big.

Oh and btw ..

I wouldn't have a car without one.

Set it up so you can remove both if you want, that way you have the option.

I love driving with just my sunglasses...which is why I hate my windshield.

In my open rail I have no problem duning with just sunglasses.

In my Manx with hood, body and windshield I've had to drive with goggles on on the street because so much sand gets trapped inside and can't find it's way out (despite plenty of places for it to escape.)

I've done the windshield and wouldn't do it again. I still have it on the manx but only because I need it for the street - I'm planning on making it quicker/easier to remove at some point so I can ditch it for the sand.

I'm on my 9th car, 1st with windshield and I really like the only downsides are, as have been stated, you loose your sense of speed to a point and both the windshield and hood contribute to motion sickness.

I with you on this one.

Let us know what you decide to do with your new build...

Sounds like the glare from a windshield must be the angle it's set in at. Some seem to have it while others don't. I'd try and find out who has them in the brand you are buying and find out if they are an issue in that one or not. Comparing a Funco to a SCU won't give you the answers you are looking for on your choice of car.