Last weekend I ended up with 2 strangers in the back seats again. The suspenion is set perfect for just my lady and I but I guess not stiff enough for 4 people. I must have bottomed out at some point and bent the frame where the shocks mount to the frame on both sides. The same exact bend on both sides to, at least I must have landed perfectly even. My wife nor I could remember back to any one teeth jarring moment that would have made us think OH S*&T, but it happened none the less.
Anyway, I took it to the builder and showed him,, he said he has not had that problem and felt bad. So he is going to do some cutting and replace the problem area.
We have had this car less than a year and got the 4 seater to share fun times with friends and family but noone comes out so we have been saying that the next car will be a 2 seater. The builder said that if we wanted, he would fix the bent area at no charge or build a 2 seat frame and give me gredit for the 4 seat frame and just charge for switching the parts over and the powder coating of the new car. He would fix the curent frame so I could keep riding while he did the new frame because he is booked until around Feb.
I asked him to give me a $ amount to make the change and we would decide. We don't tend to stay in open areas very often and end up on a lot of trails and down in holes, so I think the 2 seater might be a bit more nimble for my style, PLUS, no more passagers.
What would you say a fair cost would be to switch over the parts? not counting the powder coat.
2.5 subaru turbo, mindi E, brakes all around, turning brakes, power assist steering, ect.

around $1500-$2000 depending on his shop rate.

Any pictures of the bent part? I would think the frame should beable handle it without bending.

I had a four seater, now I have a two. I am much happier with the two seater.

- more room in the trailer
- more room in the garage
- less drama heading out on a dune run as to who is taking who, usually eliminate the standard one hour debate as to who is taking who from camp
- 2 seats says to potential passengers "This isn't a van, he is going to go fast, maybe I will rethink this and go in truck over to the drags"
- If you have kids it can be an issue, for me I went to a two seater, got a Rhino, and everyone is happy
- Oh and I did I say they are just a blast to drive

- Walt

Wether you go with a new frame or just have that one fixed, the rear shock mounts need more support. On the front shock mounts there are tubes triangulating them but nothing in the rear. All the load of the rear shocks, which is a lot, seems to be on just one tube per side.

I like that the builder is standing behind his work. KG may be right about beefing up the shock mounts / area
I'd say pay the $$ to switch to the 2 seat, might be just what you want as long as you can afford to pay for powder, could even change the color if you wanted to.

The builder and I did have a conversation about extra bracing in the area in question. He mentioned it before I did. I think thats why he feels poorly about not doing that already. He said most of the cars he builds has more extensive shock systems and require the extra braces, but I went a little less in the shock catigory and he just didn't consider it.
You can bet we will do overkill on the repair and the new frame if I go that way, and I probably will.
Maybe mid engine instead of rear. I wonder how the feel, jump, turn ect.
I probably wouldn't change the color. I like the yellow and I'm not tired of it yet. I do need to ad some art though.

who the builder? your in oregon?

Ya, Whos the builder.
In my book he just got 10 more people to buy his car for stepping up to the plate.
I dont mind a problem with a car just the end result of the fix.

The builder is Smith Sandcars just outside of Medford in White City. A small, not fancy AT ALL shop. His reputaion was the final deciding factor in having him build the car.
I'll let you know how it really ends up.

Got the call, it's fixed. I will go Thursday after work to pick it up. Not bad turn around time. Just a week.

[quote name='hdrider' date='Oct 25 2006, 06:35 AM' post='1935558']
Got the call, it's fixed. I will go Thursday after work to pick it up. Not bad turn around time. Just a week.

Would like to see a pic of the repair.........please.

I have seen one of his cars here on the forum and i liked it alot... That would be the route im going when i build.. his 2 seaters are pretty good looking and look like they are very durable.

Rob will build you anything you want. He and his dad Al built my beam chassis and I put it together.
Last time I was at his shop he had a $100,000 4 seat LT car he built, 942 HP twin turbo LS2 and it flys.
He is a straight up nice guy. Someone should call him and talk him into being a member!
Smith Sand Cars
541-826-5986

My Car with dirt late model tires on it.

Nice car - I agree with KG in that all you need is a vertical support to help hold the upper shock mount in place..
Now thats its fixed, keep the fat ass peeps out of the back and have some fun!!!!

Hint, If that ever happens again, dont point it out to the wife. Let her drive it and when she gets back you can blame her for the damage..

Got it home.. I'll get a picture tomorrow. He added 2 extra brace bars on each side. I also decided not to have the fixed area painted. I just told him to go ahead and put me on the list for a 2 seater frame. He will give me trade in value for my current frame and charge for the switchover of my current parts. He said Feb... I can live witha little bare iron until then .
Didn't charge me a cent for the fix !!! He is a up front good fellow in my book.
I talked to him about maybe adding more power to my 2.5 turbo Subi. Maybe a closed deck with adjustable turbo... any suggestions.

[attachmentid=113330]

that looks like a head knocker for the rear passenger?

It's not AS bad as it looks in the photo but helmets ARE required back there.
Won't have to worry about that when the 2 seater is done.

First, it sounds like your builder really is a stand up guy... This is a VERY good thing.


Second. If your frame is bending and you didn't have an "incident", it probably means (as previously stated), that the builder's frame/suspension design is insufficient. This is not a good thing.

Will he be able to correct that on your frame (is what he did sufficient)?
Would he be able to build a 2 seater that will hold up?


Have to laugh at your process of 2 seat and 4 seat logic, because we talked about EXACTLY the same thing. Decided on the 2 seat.

I think you will be VERY happy with that choice!

He has a lot of frames out in the market that I have heard nothing bad about so far. I think I must have landed just perfectly square to have BOTH side exactly the same and just hard enough to do it yet not hard enough to think anything about it. None the less it DID bend.
The think the added support will be enough to take care of it.
Along with him being close to where I live for easy access, and the fact that he stands behind his product is enough to make me feel comfortable. I am willing to bet that he might even add a bit more support on my new frame just because.
How many people run a season with the car not being powder coated or painted just to make sure nothing need changed ?

Take out your rear seat belts......nobody can ride in there then

7 years no just rattle can on the spots the sand doesn't keep the rust off of