FE135

What a good time! My rail is broke so I brought the Baja Bug and thought it wouldn't be much fun but I was wrong. It was a blast! Great seeing everyone I haven't seen in a long time. Big thanks to Pete and Anna for continuing this great event. The raffle was crazy! The photos I took are ready and available to download. The Gallery is setup for free digital download. If you like the photos, please consider a donation. My PayPal is fe135@yahoo.com. You can find the pictures at https://www.nealrideoutphotography.com/2021roundup or just go to fe135.com and you will see them. Some of you really put on a show and the photos reflect it. Thanks all! Some samples added.

Broke my rail last weekend but will show up with my Baja bug. Will have my camera and looking forward to capturing some great action.

I'm going, looking forward to it.

I've posted the photos on my website, fe135.com/buggyroundup2019. They are free to download for personal use. Just select the buy button like a purchase, select digital download. You can purchase prints if you wish. If you like what you download, would you please consider a donation to my PayPal: fe135@yahoo.com. Thank you and enjoy the photos!

First off I want to thank Pete, Anna, Brian, Amanda & everyone else who came together to make this a fun event.Bravo guys! I had a great time! I had a blast riding with many of you. It's going to take a little time to go through all the photos. Please bear with me. I also might try something different for most of the photos. I would like to offer most for free. If you like them, would you consider a donation to my PayPal? Whatever you think they are worth. Struggling artist kinda thing. Here are a few samples to hold you all over. I wanted to capture a bunch of you with your cars using a fisheye lens. Thought it would be fun. I'll post up when the photos are done and on my website. I have been sneek peeking some on my social media. Thanks all!!!

That car is sweeeeeet! I got a soft spot for those.

That 73 Mustang in the background, nice!!

Just got back from D and it was an awesome weekend. On my way out a Ranger was there checking passes. Kinda funny as hardly anyone was there today. We spoke for awhile and he is concerned about how much the dunes changed this year. I told him I would do my part to get the word out. He was a real nice guy and seemed genuinely concerned about us. The dunes have changed! There are many more witches eyes and in bad spots. On one run we were on a common dune run and ran up on a 4 foot wide 3 foot tall dune in the middle of a spot many of us traverse. Rolling through I heard a comment about how that ones gonna hurt people. It's true, bad spot. What I'm trying to say is basically please do a good familiarization run before you hammer down. that's all. The sand is so soft and dry that on occasion, I would get a static shock grabbing my shifter. I noticed more than usual static buildup in my trailer too. One more thing, the Ranger also told me that they are fed up with the out of control fireworks. This Halloween they are bringing in Cal Fire to help search them out. Here's the rub, If a Ranger gives you a ticket, it about $150. If Cal Fire gives you one, it's about $1300. At work we coordinate airspace for Cal Fire and their partnership with The Guard Predator drones at March AFB. They use them to find forest fires and trapped firefighters. I was thinking if they use one at Dumont, you would never know they were there and they can pass pinpoint coordinates. Not saying they would do that, just my thoughts. Stay safe and see you all in a couple of weeks!!

Cool, let us know if it all works out.

I don't know if this number is still good but over 10 years ago I had a similar situation and I was handed this number. She does everything for you and you get a title and sticker. Lisa's mobile registration, 619 571-8333. She might have answers if still in business.

Likewise, would have been a cool shot from the dunes. Thank you for all you did. Alpers car needed some color! I had a great time.

I have more to go through so sorry if I left anyone out. These are some downsized pics I setup for social media. More soon.

I'll Be there. Camping with you all this year. Looking forward to it!

Photos from the DDR 5th Annual Buggy Get Together on my website. http://www.nealrideoutphotography.com/ddrbuggy5

Yea I got it. Still working on all the pics I took.

I'm heading out there Thursday.

Probably the simplest setup is like the trucks use. A J-arm with solid axle. I've seen some rails in this config. Obviously, you would have to fab a frame for this from the start as it's not a normal sandrail setup. Robert Jones at Emery Sandcars in Fresno builds these type rails. He is a member of the Dune Masters old school club. Don't have a number but google should help. His personal car has this setup and it rocks the dunes pretty good.

It is that steep. Right at the beginning of the video on the right side of the hill about half way is my rail. I was the finish line. I had to bury the paddles in reverse to keep from rolling. I was sitting next to the rail for shade and eventually slid against the front tire. Soft and steep but a fun hill.

You can post them. No secret.

Made in America!

I got a chance to see Berts old car stored in Idaho so I took a few cell phone shots of it. It looks amazing! The new owner really made it his own but I know that car will always have an emotional attachment to many on this site. Hopefully later this summer I can get good shots of the car in action.

Looks nice from the front also. The a arms should be a nice upgrade from the beam car. Your current car looks nice too. Guess I have a soft spot for the older rails. Mine was built in the early 90's so it's getting into the old school club I guess.

I don't know what you are driving now or before this but as long as you understand the limitations of the basic VW style suspension, you will have fun. It's a light car and as long as the engine is larger than 1600, you should get anywhere in the dunes. It looks like it has a small a-arm setup up front. A-arms are usually smoother but a beam is much stronger. Most have the beam in stock configuration which makes it a stiff ride. In my experience, those air shocks are usually setup stiff to control the bottoming out and is usually a stiff ride. Coilovers give you back control since you can set compression and rebound. When you only have 8 to 10 inches of travel, ya gotta make the best of it. My guess is if this car is in your price range and you like it, budget a little more for upgrades or personal tweeks. I had an old 2 seater vw style years ago and had a blast. Wasn't this nice either. Plus, you can take it out in the desert too. But to answer your question, the rear on this one looks like it would function better than a stock IRS with spring plates. The front is hard to see but beam fronts are strong but usually stiff and limited in travel (in stock form). A-arms are lighter and a smoother ride for the most part. Sounds like a test ride is in order. And, Thank you, glad you like my photos!