Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2003 23:43:37 -0700
Reply-To: Ty Graham <tyg@OZ.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ty Graham <tyg@OZ.NET>
Subject: Re: [Syncro] Unimogs, Pinzgauers, and Syncros, OH MY!...
In-Reply-To: <c5.3715eae6.2c741688@aol.com>
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Here's a quick page I made to give some idea of what John is talking
about.
http://www.chow-graham.com/Ty/syncr0/mogfest.htm
Yikes, that's a lot of mud on his grill. I wish I had pictures of Tom
Lengyel's runs to show. I do have pictures from the run I took in Tom's
van with his brother (don't remember his name), but all you can see is
sky or dirt. You can't really get a good perspective from photos taken
inside the van, but we went up and down some very steep grades in a
slightly modified Syncro. I have new confidence of what the van is
capable of, even if I'm not.
Craig gave a great report. I have just have a few things to add. We
all had a blast and can't wait for next year. We met some really great
people, Mogers and wetwestians. Jim, Emily and the boys are the
consummate hosts. While I had some initial reservations, The Mogers
midnight rallying impacted my sleep not at all and really added to the
not-just-another-campout ambience. I wasn't worried with my three year
old at all - this event is more than family friendly. Any event where a
little boy can throw dirt clods in a mud pit, watch mogs, learn how to
pronounce Pinzgauer, swim in a river, bounce on a trampoline for dinner,
then win a Unimog fire truck for dessert, gets my vote for event of the
year.
We finished our weekend with a trip to Cape Lookout state park for an
overnight followed by a great hike down the South Beach trail. Great
beach, and no one was there. As we were leaving, we got to call 911 and
then escort some poor couple who were freaked about anaphylaxis after
five bee stings just within sight of the beach. Everyone was fine and
Cyrus really liked all the rescue vehicles so it made a nice finish for
the weekend.
TyG
'91 Syncro Westy (only got dusty)
'86 Syncro Doublecab (next year)
'90 Carat (no rear bumper)
-----Original Message-----
From: euromog@aol.com [mailto:euromog@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 5:11 PM
To: Syncro@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro] Unimogs, Pinzgauers, and Syncros, OH MY!...
Craig did a great job covering the NWMF. To give you an idea of how deep
the mud was in the last hole picture this; my front bumper was like a
front end loader full of mud. Draw a line from just below the left
headlight go across the grill and up over the right headlight. I was
stuck in a suction of mud...lol. Even with help from a Unimog being
pulled out I could not over take the pull strap until I was almost
completely out of the hole. Tires, wheels, grill all gooped up with mud.
The good news is that the river was right there to wash it off. First I
had to scoop about 100lbs off the front bumper. Then with a bucket and
LOTS of river water I kept rinsing and digging. Those louvers in the
lower and upper grills can hold a lot of mud! After getting it rinsed
down pretty good I made a few passes in the deeper water to cleanse the
wheels, tires and undercarriage. It left a pretty muddy streak in the
river.
The trail run the day before was fun and very scenic. There was one hill
with some deep ruts down the center of the road that was fun but
challenging. I know Tom could have made all the trails easily...he is
fearless!! Other Moggers were jealous of the 7 seat passenger comfort,
sunroof and a stereo system that could be heard while the engine was
running.
I was having power steering problems so was not as active on the
obstacle course as I wanted to be. I have finally figured out that my
rack has some valving issues. I am not surprised as it is original with
189K miles on it. Sometimes while turning it will stall the engine and
cause the belt to squeal. It also caused the just rebuilt power steering
hose to puke fluid again.
I think there were a total of 6 Syncro's there and even more Westy's.
They all circled there wagons to protect themselves from the "evil"
Unimog drag racers...lol. Ahem, I was one of those doing the midnight
drag races...lol. Even my Girlfriend, Karen had to make a few passes up
and down the field. The SyncroMog easily pulled out from the Unimogs and
even the Tiico motored Westy Syncro of Dave and Moe in one direction.
The other direction the Westy and I were almost even. That thing sounds
like a jet going across the field!
Karen also wanted to give a few obstacles a try. I first had her go down
into the creek and back out. Then had her go up the 45 degree dirt hill
in the berry patch. She did great for her first off-road diving lesson!
She wants to do more now.....
I had lots of people, both Syncro owners and Mog owners ask about the
SyncroMog. The wheels are turning on both sides. I think there are as
many Unimog owners thinking about a Syncro as there are Syncro owners
thinking about a Unimog. Dave and Moe have both (416 DOKA!). Next year I
will have my Unimog fire truck there and maybe the SyncroMog too. Just
have to figure out how to get both up there and back.
John Wessels
European Motorsport
3985 First Street, Suite F
Livermore, CA 94551
925-373-3878
http://www.euromog.com
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