Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2002 11:13:16 -0400
Reply-To: "Fitz-Randolph, Douglas" <Doug@BEACONTEL.TV>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Fitz-Randolph, Douglas" <Doug@BEACONTEL.TV>
Subject: Re: Locking differential
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hi all. I have a few comments about this.
First, about the benefits of a locking rear diff on a 2WD Vanagon... During
one winter I had the driveshaft out of my syncro, effectively making it a
2WD Vanagon. The locking rear differential made a huge difference, both in
overall ability to keep going straight while driving slowly on snow-covered
roads, and in not getting stuck trying to make it up the un-shoveled
driveway after a daytime snowfall. The difference was like night and day.
I'd have to say that from my personal on-road snow experience, having a
locking diff on a 2WD van would be a nice addition. Mud / off-road? Maybe a
different story, but having the ability to have power at 2 wheels would
logically seem to be better than having it at just one. In fact, check the
link in the next section - they've got a neat illustration of how having 2WD
and a locking diff can be superior in certain situations to having 4WD and
no locking diff.
Second, about the Lockright diff locker offered by Desert Rat... this is
different than the stock syncro diff lock - it is not manually engaged and
disengaged. It's similar to "posi-traction" (though they say it is far
superior to that), meaning if one wheel slips, the diff will lock to provide
power to both wheels. I've never owned a vehicle with Lockright or
posi-traction, so I can't comment on its effectiveness in any situation. I
also cannot offer any information on what effect it would have on tire wear,
etc. To see what Lockright says about it - which I think is quite
interesting, go to http://www.lockright.com/ . I will add this, though... it
might be a solution to the problem of what to do about locking diffs on an
I4 diesel conversion where, correct me if I am wrong, the starter - or
something - interferes with the operation of the stock rear diff lock. Just
a thought.
Cheers,
Doug Fitz-Randolph
Freeport, ME
Original Message
------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Jul 2002 11:21:55 -0700
From: Michael Ramer <elvisramer@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: Locking differential
As for the 2WD vans and locking differentials, I believe it was decided that
due to the Vanagons' near 50/50 weight distribution, that a rear locker
would not really be very benefiical. I tend to agree, but my particular
offroad experiences in a 2WD Westy is all I have to draw on though. Anyone
have one installed on [any] 2WD Vanagon?
Now if a diff locker were available for my '72 Bus, I might be ineterested,
as I believe it to be better setup for such beatings. I am talking dirt vs.
snow though. Hmmm.
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ben McCafferty" <ben@KBMC.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, July 15, 2002 9:07 PM
Subject: Re: Locking differential
> It was an option on syncros, and German Transaxles in Bend, OR, will also
> install a front diff lock on the syncro for about $500. I believe some
have
> put a syncro tranny with locker into a 2WD vanagon with good results.
> bmc :)
> "Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...."
>
>
> > From: "Nemo, the Bus Captain" <nemobuscaptain@YAHOO.COM>
> > Reply-To: "Nemo, the Bus Captain" <nemobuscaptain@YAHOO.COM>
> > Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2002 20:57:46 -0700
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Locking differential
> >
> > I remember Lilly saying he had this on his
> > vanagon, but I've never seen them advertised
> > before. Just the trick for you beach or snow
> > guys? (Or not?)
> >
> > http://www.desertrat.com/lockright/lockright.htm
> >
> > =====
> > Peace and blessings,
> > Nemo, the Bus Captain
> >
> > 74 Westy For Sale: http://www.geocities.com/nemobuscaptain/index.html
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! Autos - Get free new car price quotes
> > http://autos.yahoo.com
> >
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