Date:         Sat, 29 Jan 2005 13:36:32 -0500
Reply-To:     AAG - Larry Word <word_aag@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         AAG - Larry Word <word_aag@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Limited slip in a 2WD Vanagon's rear end
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Shawn mentioned this in a prior message.

Educate me.  Is this an option?
    If so, what years (VW)?
    If not, what other cars could be adopted to use in Vanagon

Mine is a 1985 model 1/2 camper

Larry




----- Original Message -----
From: "Shawn Wright" <swright@ZUIKO.SLS.BC.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2005 12:35 PM
Subject: Re: [WetWesties] How do Vanagons do in the snow?


> On 29 Jan 2005 at 8:43, Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA> wrote:
>
> > i have to disagree with Robert here.
> >
> > Having owned both a '72 and '82 (diesel) westies I can saw with no
> > hesitation that the Vanagon is much worse in the snow or any low
> > traction conditions.
> >
> > The Vanagon has almost exactly 50/50 weight distribution unlike the
> > pronounced rear weight bias of the loaf. Also, and this applies more to
> > rough road/off road travel), I found the Vanagons' suspension less
> > compliant than the loaf's. ie I could get the Vanagon to lose grip, and
> > indeed be completely, un-weighted on one tire when going down roughish
> > roads cum creeks here on Vancouver Island.
> >
> > The loaf would keep its feet firmly planted on the ground :)
>
> My experience with our '88 Westy is similar - I have driven it in some
very rough
> conditions, and found it very capable as long as the rear wheels stay
planted, and/or
> momentum is maintained. However, I have also found it surprisingly easy to
unload
> one rear wheel and be completely stuck, if not paying attention to
momentum. My
> brother's '71 bus seemed nearly impossible to stop in similar situations,
at least from
> my memory of driving it (more than 15 years ago...)
>
> In snow, I've only driven a few times with the Westy, but was not
impressed. I
> managed to get stuck within 2 blocks of home during our '96 blizzard, in
only about
> 8" of snow. Given a choice, I'll drive my '85 Jetta in snow over the Westy
any day.
> (although I was tempted to try out my Westy's new BFG KOs in the recent 3'
snowfall
> we had. I thought better of it when I saw a neighbour get his 4wd pickup
stuck at the
> end of the road...)
>
> I do think a limited slip in a 2WD Vanagon would make a huge difference,
and
> probably allow it to keep up with a Syncro in many cases.
>
> --
> Shawn Wright
> I.T. Manager
> Shawnigan Lake School
>