First the Car:
Gen Four. Outback R6 3.0 liter (510hp) Mendeola S5 with 934's, Upgraded Beard seats. The car 3" longer than stock (in told a V8 length, I guess Grant thought the car might see some real HP one day!)

The car has seen Three days, 40 gallons of gas at the Regatta and 5 days 45 gallons of gas at Thanksgiving.
I built the car with the help of friends from a "B" kit in several weeks after the frame was powdercoated. The kit was very complete, even down to baggies of bolts with the placement written on each bolt/bag.

The Ride:
As a package one couldn't go wrong, I took this through the worst of the worst and it recovers quite nice. I have yet to bottom out the suspension ever! It takes and lands jump very nice and the ride is exceptionally smooth. Power steering was effortless (I was never a fan of PS before) I've heard Grant say that you drive the car by the turning brake and he could wear out a set of rear pads in a long week. That being said "I believe it" Without the turning brake it would not turn nor could you throw it around as you could with it. With the turning brake being used on almost every turn the car turns into a Drifting Machine That forces one to want to Drive like Funco Drivers drive! I swear I've pinned a couple of turns where i was pivoting on stationary front wheels! If you like drifting--this is the car for you. I later went back to another car i own and tried to do the same type of drifting as the Funco and could not do it the same (I'm sure paddle style and a few other things play into this equation). I had some friends out this last week new to the dunes. His wife has a poor back. I had three buggies to choose from, By the end of the first day there was only one buggyu she would ride in (car and seat combo just worked for her) we even took her to Mexico and Had Tacos--and it wasn't at a snails pace either.

My car will do wheelies went forced, not by pure power. I think I would have stayed with the regular length WB if i had to do it again. Even though it will get more power in the future. I feel good on two wheels. But that opinion may change when I get more ponies too. I don't know yet if I'm a faster duner than when driving my Favorite SU car but if not i'm very close and have adapter very well right away. (the SU car is going through some new upgrades, due out by the new year, I will then do some comparisons) One funny comment from a fellow duner on one of our rides (I led) was , "either you have better suspension or you just don't care, but i can't take this." (it was a higher speed run)

Being unbiased: what don't I like about the car:
1. I prefer to be in My SU car at the drags, I feel safe at 90-100mph and can tear up the best set of whoops--the Funco doesn't like big whoops. I did a couple of passes this week and have to work at keeping it stable at speed through the whoops. (estimated 70-80mph)
2. It doesn't look as sexy as my Two seater SU (but it can take five people and do just as well if not better through the dunes, especially through the tight stuff.)

Nice paqckage: Would I do it again---Just the same, but maybe I would change the color--Not

Nice write up. Funco is one of my favorite duning cars!!

Frank

Funco's really do rock.. I've had nothing but good experience with mine. I just got back a couple of weeks ago from a 31 day trip that I broke the left front wheel off of twice.. I also split the P/S rack in half. In four years, that is the ONLY damage that I have done to the frame. I hit a hole REALLY hard, and
REALLY FAST and all it did was break a 40 dollar heim, and a 72 dollar p/s rack. I'm more impressed with my car now than I was 4 years ago when I first put it together. Design and constant testing does make a difference. Major props to the funco crew! JACK

I don't know yet if I'm a faster duner than when driving my Favorite SU car but if not i'm very close and have adapter very well right away.

Juanito,
Having followed right behind you in all 3 of your cars, i'd say you've adapted quite well to the FUNCO. Especially the tight duning we did thursday morning!

2. It doesn't look as sexy as my Two seater SU (but it can take five people and do just as well if not better through the dunes, especially through the tight stuff.)

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

John,

I've been interested in a Funco for quite some time so could you please clarify something for me. I haven't ridden in one yet so I've been going by word of mouth on this... The story I keep hearing is that they handle great and can turn on a dime. I thought their handling was all done with weight distribution, suspension, and proper wheel selection. What's up with your comments about a turning break? I didn't even know Funco's had a turning break. It seems like any car would turn on a dime with a turning break.

Forest

I usually dont like to lead a group but this weekend I lead a group of friends on quads on a long ride out to the flagpole, along the closure, gecko and back, etc. Its about my 5th trip with the Funco and I think we just clicked. The guys following me said they had never seen a car go through the dunes like that before. It was as if the car and me were one. I used to race shifter carts and it feels the same way, fly up a dune face, tap the turn brake, hit the gas, powerslide, repeat.......... And for the first time this last trip I was the guy pulling over waiting for the group to catch up.

There is nothing wrong with the way a Funco will turn. It's just that sensation of a full 4 wheel drift while hauling thru the turn that becomes so addicting. Take a ride with Grant, he'll be happy to show you.

Even with the heavier v6 (vs subie) my car has exceeded all expectations by 1000%. Not sure if I would like it 3" shorter like the subie cars. Would rather have the nose stick when duning vs wheelies but its all preference. I was also confused by the turning brake comments. these are some of the best turning cars without the turnbrake and when was the last big 5 seen with razors on the front?

O.k., i re-read my original post and did not mean to say it "would not turn" it turns fine but it turns soooo much better with the turning brake that turning without it is actually boring.

Here's my view of the turning brake from a two car perspective. In my other car the turning brake is used in tight slow areas like in camp and putting a car on the trailer in a tight space, or a a hairpin turn that is so tight it could not be executed any other way. I tried to use the turning brake (As I do with my Funco) and did not get the drifting effect.

The Funco on the other hand turns well with no turning brake for casual duning but with the turning brake the sky's the limit to how much drifting one can do. you can come into a corner with light turning brake and leave at full throttle and turning brake applied to the max--it is a Rush

I'm just curious why Grant has to build in that annoying eff*ing squeaking to each car .......

I do use the turning brake in the smaller stuff and yes it will turn on a dime but I am always off the throttle.
If your applying the brake under throttle won't it buzz the spiders? I used to do it with the Sand Limo but that car was 130", different weight balance, and underpowered. How much are brake pads? I couldnt afford to burn them up every other trip.

[attachmentid=119345]man if your even thinking about buying a long travel car, do yourself a big favor and ride in a funco....the best ....then when you get your own, you'll be part of the crowd also...don't forget about the customer service!!!!

I use the turning brakes a lot, and almost always with my foot in it hard. The spiders are one of the few parts that I have never replaced. I go through 2 or three sets of pads a season. At around 50 bucks a set, to me it's worth the grin it puts on my face.

If they are only $50 I might be trying something new this weekend

P.S. it's worth the $50 just to keep up with the guy in front of you. I would say I used the turning brake on more than 70% of my turns when driving hard. Of course I would not have to use it at all when I cruise with my wife on one of those ""family runs".

I project 2-3 sets of pads this year too.

OK so for the record, I can leave the gas on when hitting the turning brake? I thought that was a bad thing? Its a blast the way I do it now (gas, lift, turn brake, slide, gas, powerslide) Please tell me its OK just to stay in the throttle, I cant wait to try it.

IS OK MON !!!

SWEET!

While we are on the subject, I have not found anyone who has owned a Funco and then switched to a different brand. Everyone I have met so far (including me down the road) keeps it in the family.

PS - Grant - In June when I was in Idaho at Sandhills Resort. On the day I was leaving the place was invaded by Funco's. I want to make sure I book my annual trip to Idaho for that week next year. Have you guys set a date yet?

Thanks, Walt

What Grant is trying to say is yes, you may use the turning brake while under power. In fact, I HIGHLY recommend it. It's quite a trip!

Walt, if you haven't done this yet, with NO TURNING BRAKE try this on flat sand intitially to learn the behavior of a Funco slide. At about 30mph..... initiate a turn, LIFT, slide, then control the slide duration with the throttle. After a few of those slides, step it up to 40mph and master that, then do the same at 45mph. The faster you go the easier the car will slide as you lift the throttle when the momentum of the car is pitched one way or the other. Most other cars won't slide so predictably as you let off the throttle. Then to control the slide just press the throttle to reduce the slide.

As you're buzzing along under throttle, then you decide to turn left or right, most the time it's easier to quickly lift AFTER you initiate the turn which lets the rear the car slide around, then control with the gas pedal. Initating the turn doesn't take much of a turn of the steering wheel, you're only looking to start the turn so the momentum of the car weight goes left or right. After a while you'll learn how to reduce the amount of work at the steering wheel in favor of coordinated gas pedal work to steer the car. You basically start steering the car with the throttle more than with the steering wheel. It's a completely different way of driving compared to other cars, and once it's learned driving a Funco becomes less work......... and way more fun.

Hmmm....... less work...... more fun. gotta love that.

When you master the ability of steering your car with the throttle you will notice that feeling of being "part of the car", as one.
WARNING, if you don't own a Funco, don't try the above.

when I used the turn brake under power with a bus......I was looking for a tow back.

I will assume you wont be getting any air ?

Those mini vans are quite nice in the dunes.

John, you're not the only one with a brand new Big 5. Here's Grant's new car. Check out the graphics, a vinyl stick-on set. I didn't even know they were vinyl till Grant told me, then I had to look twice. Very clean.

Who's motor is Grant running?
C&G or Outback?

You need to take a ride with Grant. He's the man to show you how it's done.
Left hand on the wheel, right hand on the turning brake, right foot on the throttle.
The goal is to be smoooth through those slides. {I'm still working on the smoooth part!!!}

John,

Saw you out there at the drags on Fri. or Sat.? (Days are now a blurr), but couldn't get over through the traffic to say hello. Too much dust and lots of large trucks blocking the way. Having a new car is always a great excitement! Looked like you were tearing up the drag strip.

Had one of our new black V8 2 seaters dual shocksout there.. man Nascar 2 wide and can turn on a dime. You wouldn't of recognized me anyhow, in that car- but I waved. I love the quick sharp turning of the 2 seaters with the comfort of dual shocks. Goes good through the whoops if you get on top.
But love the whoops in the 4 seater longer wheel base just doesn't turn quite as sharp. So you just have to keep doing what I do.. drive them both!

Larry, Kevin, Jimmy C., John and I tried to meet up for our racing runs.. but we didn't make it out. Kev's car needed some work. Next time join us -been awhile since we all have done that. We just like your company.. doesn't matter which car you show up in. We love you just the same. Maybe we could get Mike out there with us again too.

Anyhow can't miss that green glow color, no matter what chassis it's on.

Be safe,

Kinda weird I thought I was reading a thread about a new FUNCO?

That's too funny.
John...great comparison between buggies. It would be fantastic if unbiased drivers could give their opinion on different buggies like they do with cars, trucks, motorcycles,etc.

FUNCO's turn on a dime. I have had mine for a couple of weeks and it turns AWESOME!!! you don't have to use the turning brakes. My group cannot keep up with me on theire quads. I just laugh and stop and wait!!!

Grant is the BEST!!!!

We have two Big 5's in the family and soon to be three I HOPE!!!