Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2001 11:30:08 -0400
Reply-To: Derek Drew <derekdrew@RCN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Derek Drew <derekdrew@RCN.COM>
Subject: Diff Lock Air Switch Importation (& other special syncro parts)
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OK. As promised in an email about two weeks ago I have prices and
availability for the importation of the VDO syncro-specific air switches
that operate the plunger that goes into the transmission and cause the
differential to lock up. This is the VDO factory part that comes stock on
most syncros but which can also be added to the front differential in
syncro to allow you to lock up all four wheels.<br>
<br>
The reason you would want this part is 1) to add the factory diff lock to
the front differential of your North American syncro (for better traction
in adverse terrain conditions), or 2) to have a spare in case your rear
locker is not working correctly, and you want to try replacing this air
operated switch to see if that fixes the problem. <br>
<br>
Another reason you would want this part is because there are two rubber
washers / seals on the factory switch, one black and one brown, that can
tear or be lost. Neither of these can be ordered at the dealer so
especially with the brown washer, one little tear and your switch is
suspect or trashed. The brown washer is the troublesome one as it is very
oddly shaped and there is no particularly easy way to fabricate one.
<br>
<br>
Up to now, this simple switch costs most North Americans $100.88 plus
shipping from discount source Camelback VW (or higher at other dealers)
but by sourcing them properly I have been able to bring the price down to
$48 each. This includes importation duties, customs fees, and slowboat
shipping from overseas (by ship).<br>
<br>
I am ordering a few of these for myself. This email constitutes an
invitation for any other list members who want one to be included in this
purchase. You may do so by sending $51 ($48 + $3 local shipping) by
<a href="http://www.paypal.com/" eudora="autourl">www.paypal.com</a> to
derekdrew@rcn.com or by notifying me that you have sent a check in the
mail to me for this amount to Derek Drew, 5467 31st Street NW,
Washington, DC 20015. If ordering more than one, it is $48 for each
additional one. <br>
<br>
(By the way, note that the switch alone will not get you a front diff
lock; you would still have to order the parts for the differential
internals). <br>
<br>
============================<br>
END OF DIFF LOCK SWITCH NOTICE<br>
============================<br>
<br>
OTHER PARTS / AVAILABILITY FYI <br>
<br>
-- Viscous Couplings (1 left; more estimated by Thanksgiving)<br>
see
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6656" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6656<br>
</a>-- 16" Rear Trailing Ams ($1,250 plus shipping -- 8 weeks
est.)<br>
see
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/5270" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/5270</a><br>
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/5257" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/5257</a><br>
-- 6.17 Ring And Pinions (front, $445, rear $495; plus shipping; in
stock)<br>
-- 5.83 Ring And Pinions (front, $445, rear $495; plus shipping, in
stock)<br>
see
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/7207" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/7207</a><br>
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6691" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6691</a><br>
-- OEM CV Joint boot protectors ($160 est. 8 weeks, includes
shipping)<br>
see
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6112" eudora="autourl"><font color="#0000FF"><u>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6112<br>
</a></u></font>-- FLO CV Joint boot protectors ($130 ext. 8 weeks,
includes shipping)<br>
see
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6112" eudora="autourl"><font color="#0000FF"><u>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6112<br>
</a></u></font>-- 16" fender flares ($550 includes shipping est. 8
weeks)<br>
-- 14" fender flares ($550 includes shipping, est. 8 weeks)<br>
I recommend the 16" size.
<br>
-- 2.1 litre engine Belt Protectors ($23 includes shipping; estimated 8
weeks)<br>
see
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6112" eudora="autourl"><font color="#0000FF"><u>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6112</a><br>
<br>
</u></font>For more thorough research on these and other topics see
<br>
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/messagesearch?query=derekdrew" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/messagesearch?query=</a><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/messagesearch?query=derekdrew" eudora="autourl">derekdrew<br>
<br>
</a>In Derek's stash: <br>
<br>
I have a few OEM original Michelin MXLs in stock. If you are still using
this out-of-production tire and need a spare or two, shoot me an email as
it has been discontinued by Michelin. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div>________________________________________________________</div>
<div>Derek
Drew
New York, NY & Washington, DC</div>
<div>derekdrew@rcn.com<x-tab> </x-tab>
212-580-6486</div>
<div>Email me for viscous couplings</div>
<div>'90 Syncro Westfalia... </div>
<div>...seen off-road at </div>
<div><a href="http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/Syncro_Madness_Area.htm" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/Syncro_Madness_Area.htm</a></div>
<div>Note: most valuable Vanagon sites on the planet (for owners)
are:</div>
<div>
<a href="http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?S1=vanagon" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?S1=vanagon</a></div>
<div>
<a href="ftp://gerry.vanagon.com/pub/" EUDORA=AUTOURL>ftp://gerry.vanagon.com/pub/</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro</a>
</div>
<div> <a href="http://www.vanagon.com/" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://www.vanagon.com</a> </div>
<div> <a href="http://www.syncro.org/" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://www.syncro.org</a> </div>
<div>My refrigerator article: </div>
<div> <a href="http://www.vanagon.com/info/articles/Refrigerator/Reefer_Madness.htm" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://www.vanagon.com/info/articles/Refrigerator/Reefer_Madness.htm</a></div>
<div>My article that shows how to deal with insurance companies: </div>
<div> <a href="ftp://gerry.vanagon.com/pub/auto-insurance-madness.html" EUDORA=AUTOURL>ftp://gerry.vanagon.com/pub/auto-insurance-madness.html</a> </div>
<div>To view Wolfgang's incredibly informative wheel article</div>
<div> <a href="http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/fitbigtiresonvanagon.htm" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/fitbigtiresonvanagon.htm</a> </div>
<div>To view Tim Smith's incredibly useful gearing calculator</div>
<div> <a href="http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/syncrotireandgearratios.xls" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/syncrotireandgearratios.xls</a> </div>
<div>To view some 16" Trailing Arms that enable much larger tires see</div>
<div> <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/syncro-org/files/Wheels,%20Tires%20%26%20Gearing/Wheel%20%26%20Tire%20Photos/16_Inch_Trailing_Arm.jpg" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/syncro-org/files/Wheels%2C%20Tires%20%26%20Gearing/Wheel%20%26%20Tire%20Photos/16_Inch_Trailing_Arm.jpg</a></div>
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