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Desert racing

6K views 11 replies 10 participants last post by  robertcrav 
#1 ·
I know that our Jeeps are not ideal for desert racing but Ive always wanted to do the baja 1000 and while I've thought about just building a class 5/1600 bug I keep coming back to my Jeep. I have a 2011 jku with a 3.5 inch Rock Krawler mid arm lift and 35" nitto trail grapplers. If I go ahead with my plan I would go with a long arm kit with coilovers an after market Dana 44 front and a 60 in the rear. I just wanted to see if anyone out here was doing this or had any thoughts or ideas on what I should do?
 
#4 ·
It would honestly be cheaper to build a dedicated race rig, then to try to run your JK and keep it street legal.

The Jeep Speed type setup is a great option.

Mike
 
#8 ·
How much money do you have?
 
#9 ·
No intentions of only sight seeing I just understand that I'm not going to be able to compete with the guys who have half a million or more in to a rig. I'm planning on building it over the next 5-7 years and then running it after that. I'm in the Army right now so money doesn't exactly grow on trees, but with some solid planning I feel like that's gives me enough time to put it all together.
 
#10 ·
No intentions of only sight seeing I just understand that I'm not going to be able to compete with the guys who have half a million or more in to a rig. I'm planning on building it over the next 5-7 years and then running it after that. I'm in the Army right now so money doesn't exactly grow on trees, but with some solid planning I feel like that's gives me enough time to put it all together.
Thank you for your Service!!!

Some of the UTV's as of current, like the Polaris RZR's are really nice for desert high speed. Plus, they have a IFS, so they are designed for moderate jumps, without causing damage.
I have owned them and they are a lot of fun..:thumb:

Land vehicle All-terrain vehicle Vehicle Motor vehicle Bumper
 
#11 ·
I agree with the side by side recommendation, as that is going to be your cheapest entry into the sport. You can buy a Rzr, and have just as much fun racing it, but with a whole lot less money spent than it would take to get your Jeep to the starting line.

I desert raced off and on for 25 years, on several dirt bike, ATV, and UTV classes. My most recent race was earlier this summer in my Rzr XP 1000 Fox Edition. It was a local race with very lax requirements on the machines safety gear (meaning, none). So I showed up with my entirely stock XP 1000, then flogged the crap out of it all day long, and had a great time. Nothing broke, and everything was still working at the end of the day.

Here is a link to the Fox Edition:
https://youtu.be/RnO1GJvZVnI

And as stated above, thank you for serving our country. My son is in the Army right now, serving in Korea. I know what you mean about not having a lot of extra money right now.
 
#12 ·
I'd disagree with the side by side suggestion for a couple of reasons, especially if your Jeep is already paid off... most of the newer side by sides are in the $20k range, stock, then you will still need to upgrade the suspension/wheels/tires/seats/cage/lights/filtration/safety equipment... you can easily put another $20k in prep getting it ready to race... that's $40k ... putting $40k into a Jeep thats paid off will get you something that in my mind is more usable, doesn't need to be towed on a trailer everywhere etc....

There are a couple of companies that are racing off the shelf kits... Rock Krawler, Off-road Evolution, Currie... do your homework..study up on Jeepspeed and dedicated go fast forums to learn about what kits/components are working/surviving the punishment races like that dish out before making a decision...

then I would build a spreadsheet and put down every conceivable cost to build your jeep vs buy/build a side by side and see how things work out...

then I would hit up the race car classifieds on race-dezert and see what is already built.

You will never get out of it, what you put into it, so taking over someones proven combination or unfinished project can save you immensely
 
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