I found a 2005 Joyner 650 with engine problems and no transmission. I'm looking for an inexpensive project. The seller lists that there are a few other missing parts but overall it looks OK from the pictures. Here's the question: I have never modified a buggy but I can work on motors and even weld. Is it worth rebuilding the motor and adding a new trans or should I look for a new power plant? I am leaning towards the new power plant but I don't know where to start. Thanks

Rebuilding should cost less money for the engine but transmissions are a different story. Depending on how many parts have to be replaced it will most likely be better to replace the trans.

DO you have any junk yards in your area with quads?

A new transmission for that machine will cost about $850-900. This will be a better one that was stock in the 2005 sand spider. If you want even lower gearing, a tranny from the Joyner Commando will fit also.

Glade

Glade,

How much lower geared is the Commando trans ???

I would buy a salvage bike and and use the engine. Probably cheaper than a new tranny and will have more power than the 650, but thats just me.

Glade

About a Commando trans fitting a Sand spider. I would like the lower gearing in my 2005. If this would work how much would this cost? I was thinking of trying to just change out the gear set but personally I'd rather put in a new trans if the cost is not too much.

Thank You

just about any front wheel drive engine from a car will work better than any other type of repower, because you will retain reverse and have alot more torqe than a bike engine. Torqe is what you need in these buggies more than HP. The only problem will you will probably have to make axles. The 650 engine is extreamly underpowered, rebulding especially since you need a tranny just doesnt make since. I looked at the same project you bought but by the time I priced the parts missing and putting in the work it needed it just didnt seem to me to be worth it. I bought a 650 spider with turbo ready to go for just a little over 3000 and have since come across a few for less. Hope it works out well for you. Keep us updated on how it goes

Top speed on the Commando is about 40mph. The commando tranny has an very low geared first gear(granny gear) I don't know what the exact ratios are but it is much lower geared than a spider transmission.

Glade

Wow that is a low top end speed. I know they changed the trans ratio in 2006 on the Spiders, but did they change it enough to be worth it? I really need a lower 1st gear to help me crawl over the real rocky sections but also a nice upper end for the open desert. I don't know if you can just change out the 1st gear set out of the commando to the spider or not.

Consider also that the Commando is a 4x4. That may have some bearing on the top speed in the tranny. It may be possible to swap out the lower gear sets and have the best of both machines. That is something that I could discuss with the mechanics at Team Joyner.

Glade