Swift Racing's Class 5 Prerunner

[swiftracing5]

We've got a new project. Was a 65 bug body but now a full class 5 unlimited chromoly cage and suspension. Front end- 4-6(not sure) wider beam, 2-1/2 wider front arms, Sway a way coilover + bypass on each front corner, Saco rack. Rear End- 3x3s, Sway a way 2.5 coilover + bypass on each rear corner, 091 bus box built by Transwest, and a strong 2275 by bernie bergmann. Also some Alpha helmet pumpers, CNC pedals, CNC front hubs. Not sure about tires for now but here are some pics, more soon. Aiming to prerun the 1000... O ya.

[bcampbell04]

cool project. would love to build a nice baja prerunner someday...suggest BTRs for your wheels.

[swiftracing5]

Thanks. And about the rims, we are getting some Ultra beadlocks similar to the btrs. Not sure what tires to run though. I will driving this to school almost everyday so I was thinking Yokos in front but in the rear...maybe BFG all-terrains.

[homey]

What does a project like that cost you? Are you finding used parts to use for it? Looks like a fun project!

[roostthemoon]

Looking good hguys. keep us posted

[swiftracing5]

What does a project like that cost you? Are you finding used parts to use for it? Looks like a fun project!

We are getting a good deal on the shocks. But all the parts are new from mckenzies. The seats and engine are coming out of my current 71 baja bug but are less than 2 months old.

[Cameron]

Keep the pics coming. Really like those Baja prerunners.
Would like to see how you are going to mount the pedals.
I'm in the middle of a prerunner Baja project with my dad.

[swiftracing5]

Some updates. Forgot the camera yesterday but the car is mostly welded, seats mounted, pedals hung vertically, steering heim mounted, tabs starting to be welded. And we dropped off the fiberglass hood, microstubs, rear hubs, etc. Here are some pictures of the goodies we have ready. The pumpers, shocks, hubs etc.

[swiftracing5]

Just got some more pictures yesterday. The dash is in, steering wheel in, Fortin shifter mounted, side nerf bars mounted, fiberglass hood started. Pics are a little shaky but you get the idea. Going to work on it today. Maybe ready to take home this weekend.:rolleyes:

[swiftracing5]

The car is home. Front end done, pumpers mounted, seats mounted, all arms/shocks mounted, pedals mounted, dash laid out, steers now. Wiring next.

[wheezy]

Good lookin rig...

any ideas on motor yet?

[swiftracing5]

Good lookin rig...

any ideas on motor yet?

Putting a 2275 built by bernie bergmann(kind of a street guy). More pictures soon.

[TMorford]

Ben hurry up with the pictures. Brady's descriptions only do so much. :cool:

[swiftracing5]

Bummer, we just took the dash and door panels off to get powdercoated and olympic today, and theyre gonna be done next week. But ill post what I have after dinner, i need to charge camera battery.:o

[swiftracing5]

Ok, more pictures. Dash painted and done, thanks to Olympic for getting it done fast. Headlights, taillights, and amber mounted. Motor mounted. Wiring pretty much done(will run). Lots of other little things done and this weekend might be T-minus. :)

[Matt D]

WOW VERY NICE im building my class 5 unl. right now and u just gave me that little bit more motivation :D.. but i would love to see your car up close if thats ok with you

Matt D

[67BAJA]

Good looking baja bug! How long has the build taken? Looks like a blast, can't wait to see some vid/pics of it out in the dez!

[swiftracing5]

WOW VERY NICE im building my class 5 unl. right now and u just gave me that little bit more motivation :D.. but i would love to see your car up close if thats ok with you

Matt D

So do you want me to PM you my address and stuff so you could come down whenever.

[swiftracing5]

Just tested in Barstow last weekend. Worked great. Should be getting painted this weekend and maybe take it down for the 1000. And a short vid(sorry for the shakes).
YouTube - Class 5 Baja Bug Prerunner - First Test

[AzBajaman]

Sweet looking bug....Thanks for sharing the video.....

[dert-e-racing]

Beautiful car. It came out great and congradulations on the completion. Good luck in the races.

[wheezy]

SICK SICK SICK SICK...

Are you going to race???Looks really good! I'm sure you've seen the other 5 cars that we will be racing, but you and me look like our cars will be battling as they are VERY similar setups. Not the $100K Jim Varshay type cars, but just as much fun.

Also, get your buddy/mom/whoever that is shooting a tripod. Even a cheapy will make your videos 100% better. I'd even be willing to meet up and shoot some HD stuff for you.

[swiftracing5]

SICK SICK SICK SICK...

Are you going to race???Looks really good! I'm sure you've seen the other 5 cars that we will be racing, but you and me look like our cars will be battling as they are VERY similar setups. Not the $100K Jim Varshay type cars, but just as much fun.

Also, get your buddy/mom/whoever that is shooting a tripod. Even a cheapy will make your videos 100% better. I'd even be willing to meet up and shoot some HD stuff for you.

Sweet, heres some other pics.

[swiftracing5]

I just got back from baja. It was a great trip. Sunday we preran from San Ignacio to Loreto. Had some fuel flow issues but besides that it worked good, especially the long graded roads:) . Then on Monday we had to get some welding on the rear arms touched up at a local welder in Loreto. It was awesome. Then ran from Loreto to Insurgentes. The course was like a rally course. Really fast with water crossings and miles of graded roads with fast corners. Then we chased the Donahoe FJ to a 2nd place finish and the class 3 championship. Now the cars gonna get painted and then cant wait for the 250 and 500.

[TMorford]

Hey Ben, wanna race? :eek: ;)

[swiftracing5]

Hey Ben, wanna race? :eek: ;)

You give the time and place:p . Actually the car is being painted this week and its probably gonna take another week to get it back going. Is your ride ready yet? We should head out around New Years.

[motojojo7s]

Man, all these sweet bugs...makes me want to get one. What color are you going to paint it?

[TMorford]

You give the time and place:p . Actually the car is being painted this week and its probably gonna take another week to get it back going. Is your ride ready yet? We should head out around New Years.

Brady made the delivery Sunday, stoked to say the least. No way it will be ready by New Years though.

I already dibs'd painting mine silver with red and black!

[swiftracing5]

Brady made the delivery Sunday, stoked to say the least. No way it will be ready by New Years though.

I already dibs'd painting mine silver with red and black!

Haha, our is gonna be white with gray tubes, satin black "wing", and herculiner stuff on the fenders and some interior. I cant wait to see your car. Where is it at I wanna come by.

[TMorford]

Haha, our is gonna be white with gray tubes, satin black "wing", and herculiner stuff on the fenders and some interior. I cant wait to see your car. Where is it at I wanna come by.

Its Deweys old car. Right now were just cleaning it etc. Just kind of waiting for some money to come in and then were going to get cranking on it.

[swiftracing5]

Is it at your house?

[TMorford]

Yeah.

[Infidel Racing Team]

Hey Swift,

Awesome looking car!!! :) ....Let me ask you a question regarding shox....
Why is it that you have a coil over and a non coil over on your fronts?

What advantages does it have to have 2 shox instead of just a good coilover?

Would a bypass would be better than a the noncoilover shock?

I am sorry, I am a newb and I am thinking about putting your exact same setup, (well , but with Fox shox, cause I already have them)

Thanks

[swiftracing5]

We are using this combo in the front with the help of swayaway. The coilover is a non resovoir and the non coil has the resovoir. We are using the non coil as a position sensative shock. For how wide our car is, the two shocks complement themselves. Right now we are working on the valving try and get an ideal ride heigth. Ill keep you posted.

[Peaches]

nice looking ride... thats what im talking about... don't have to rob a bank or be real wealthy to have fun and rip around the desert...nice very nice.. can't wait to see the painted pictures.

[swiftracing5]

Finally some more pictures. The car is all painted. The body is white and the tubes are dark gray. And the accessories are hammercoated. We basically had to strip the car for paint and rebuild it after so everything is pretty much dialed now. Next step is to work with Sway a Way on the shocks and make it comfy.

[CaptinCrash]

That car looks very BA

[Dezertpilot]

^------------I couldn't agree more! Primo for sure.

[CaptinCrash]

I've never seen a bug like that before with the wing i like it alot and i think i'm gonna have to copy you If Your alright with that

[TallKewl7]

Excellent Baja! You guys did great work on that one!

Marshall

[swiftracing5]

Thanks alot guys. The wing was designed by AJ at Bajashop who also built the cage. He did a great job with it and we are pumped on how it turned out.

[67BAJA]

Sorry if I missed it, but what MFG are the microstubs?

[swiftracing5]

Sorry if I missed it, but what MFG are the microstubs?

At first Gear one, but now Race Trim(Empi).

[5racer]

At first Gear one, but now Race Trim(Empi).

why change from gear one to empi ??? .not to bag but every empi part should come with good walking shoes .car looks good by the way

[TMorford]

Looks good Swifts.

[tacoloco12]

Sic bro put some paddels on it and hit the dunes.

[swiftracing5]

Heres a little video with pictures throughout the build and from our recent trip out to Hodge in Barstow. Little by little the car is getting better and better and we hope to prerun San Felipe.

YouTube - Class 5 Baja Bug Testing in Barstow

[spawnboy74]

looks a little bumpy dude and for that car that means its just righttt looks good man nice work

[dert-e-racing]

so when are you selling it to me? haha, that thing looks really good. you guys did an awesome job. good luck with the new racing season!

[swiftracing5]

Just thought id post some recent pictures from Barstow and whatnot. Just added Howe Power Steering, and changed quiet muffler to a supertrapp:). Were planning on going down to prerun the 500.

[Matt D]

hey what are your front shock angles to not have to cut your hood?

[Triple B]

Nice car......You guys should call Hot VW's and get that in there Magazine......

[swiftracing5]

hey what are your front shock angles to not have to cut your hood?

Well the shocks are fairly straight. But we insisted on not cutting the hood so we have the hood almost sitting on the towers.

[Matt D]

oh got it. i didnt cut holes in my hood but i have my shocks leaning in alot, and im worried about messing up my seals.

well i was just wondering, thanks i guess i just got to figure something better out :D

[johnowhite]

Just added Howe Power Steering

What did you have before the Howe Power steering? (non-power rack?)

What system did you put in (pump/servo/ram assist?) and how (no pun intended) do you like it? Did you need to change your rack?

I'm making a 5 pre-runner as well...but not the class of yours, and thinking about using a GM power steering unit, but I have a rack. Just need to get the Ram and Servo.

Looks like you have a fun car!

Thanks for your reply.

John

[swiftracing5]

What did you have before the Howe Power steering? (non-power rack?)

What system did you put in (pump/servo/ram assist?) and how (no pun intended) do you like it? Did you need to change your rack?

I'm making a 5 pre-runner as well...but not the class of yours, and thinking about using a GM power steering unit, but I have a rack. Just need to get the Ram and Servo.

Looks like you have a fun car!

Thanks for your reply.

John

Well, for about 6 months we just ran the basic Saco rack(the black one). We preran the 1000 and drove out at Hodge many times and it wasnt horrible. But it definately was rough. So we stepped up and bought the Howe Ram, servo, and pump. We welded a mount off of the beam for the Ram and the other end mounts right to the earlet on the rack. Then just mounted the hoses and reservoir.

[swiftracing5]

Just got back from Baja. Since we didnt have any support trucks we drive the bug from Ensenada to San Matias on Highway 3. Then got on the course and went up to Mikes for a rest and to make sure the car was good. After some waters we got back on the course and my dad drove. Coming in to the woops we got passed by a 4 seater, but after Valle De Trinidad we reeled him in through the hilly stuff got him coming on to the highway. Off the road at San Vicente on his butt he went right on the silt hill(if you know anything about the 500 you know this hill), so we grabbed second and pulled up the hill no sweat right next him. But we stopped at the hill so I could drive the beach section. A once over of the car revealed one of the thru-rod collars was GONE. Luckily there were two 1/2 inch fine thread nuts in our tool bag, so we threaded it on and it lasted all the way until we loaded it back up in Ensenada. Anyways we averaged 35 mph to the coast and hit the wash in Erendira in 2nd gear and pulled it no problem. Extremely fast in to Santo Tomas, loved every moment of the run and car worked perfect. A little wet but nothing bad. Came around the corner in Santo Tomas, hucked one last roost for the locals and back on the highway. Decided to call it a day and drove back to Ensenada. We talked about doing the Uruapan section on, but since the Race Car will probably not be ready for the race we decided to head back in the morning. We had a great day and no problems, kind of a shame because it seemed like the local economy is suffering. But we still LOVE baja. Oh and wanna thank Brian at Sway A Way for all the help with the shocks etc. The car is dialed.

[crash4519]

awesome build! i love it, and im thinking of doing the same thing. going to pick up the bug tomarow i hope. how much travel do you have in the rear? and where could i get all the specs to make it class-5? thanks

[J_Lothringer]

Hey Ben the bug looks awesome!! wish I coulda been there with ya guys, I really miss mikes!!! and Baja..........

[swiftracing5]

awesome build! i love it, and im thinking of doing the same thing. going to pick up the bug tomarow i hope. how much travel do you have in the rear? and where could i get all the specs to make it class-5? thanks

Umm, we figure in the rear around 18". But in regards to the class 5, to distinguish between the 5-16 and 5 is any beam and front arm wider than stock, typically 3x3s or bigger in the rear, no need for a pan(we have it in), and engine size to name a few. You can get a SCORE or similar rule book if you want.

Jeff...ya that was the first time to Mikes for me and the first time in a while for my dad. But it was completely empty when we stopped in. But anyways it was awesome and thanks.

[TMorford]

Still lookin good Ben, thanks for the desktop background from the other thread. :D

[russcomp]

Still lookin good Ben, thanks for the desktop background from the other thread. :D

love all the pics :D

[tacoloco12]

Take it to the sand dunes Bro.

Does the wing help it pop a wheelie

[tacoloco12]

Ben r u going to the CORR race at Pamona?

[Mike @ pit b]

Looks good. What was the final estimate for the build, parts wise. I and my partner are building ( and I use that term loosely) a 1/2 1600. We have a new'ish tranny and the motor needs to be rebuilt. But other than that it's just tubing taking up space in my garage.:D:D:D:D

PM me if you want to tell. I understand if you don't want to divulge that info.

If I ever get started, we'll be going to Mackenzies. Jeff and the boys know their stuff.

Thanks. Mike

[swiftracing5]

Ben r u going to the CORR race at Pamona?

Bro, we will see. Thats Prom weekend but ill try to get out there.

[swiftracing5]

Well its almost been one year since the debut at the 07 1000 prerun. Were planning on going down and prerunning Nov 1st. The car is looking good, it has been under the knife since the MDR 400 prerun. Rear end gone through and gusseted again. Fresh CVs and lots of other lovin.:) Can't wait to get down there. Anyone else goin down that weekend.