v-8 sandrail questions

i plan on building a sand rail with a 350 sbc and have a couple questions on how people do na independent rear end. How can i take a differential from a truck and shorten the axle and tubes and have the inboard disk breaks like the v-8 rails on www.sandrail.com ? also, what can i use as a hub?

[J.R.]

This may not totally answer your questions, but I remember seeing a V8 rail in Ocotillo once that used a Corvette rear end in it. It was pretty damned sweet!

So you might be able to get away with something similar...

A V8 sandrail is probably the coolest sounding machine you will find out on the sand. Great for straight line drags and hill climbing. No question about it when a sweet sounding V8 fires up people stop what there doing and watch.

The down side is that it is heavy, expensive to build and expensive to operate.

That Rear end disc set up you are looking at prolly costs as much as my entire VW sandrail. Those Robert Shaw gas shocks look nice but really don't work that well.

As far as making your own goes. It could be done. But just because you have access to some Chevy V8 and a truck axle doesn't mean you are going to have fun and reliability.


Would you consider looking for a used VW powered sandrail with mostly off the shelf components?
You can upgrade the different parts you want gradualy while still having fun and reliability.

The key to a great ride no matter what you do is to have a strong close ratio transmission and the right style of paddle tires to match your power and ridding style.
Light weight will compensate for an awfull lot of horsepower.

If you want to experiment on your axle routine just find a car or truck rear end that already has disc brakes. Cut and shorten the housing and axles and figure out how to make a jig to hold them straight while you weld them back together.

Sandsports are a mechanics dream because you just gotta love wrenching and inventing things. The weekend rides at the dunes are just a place to relaxe and test the results of your efforts

Sorry to be so long winded but I have been playing in the sand for many years.
Good Luck
Greg

Try http://www.markwilliams.com/ for the rearend.