Date:         Fri, 15 Dec 2006 13:52:11 -0700
Reply-To:     honemastert <honemastert@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         honemastert <honemastert@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Recent Upgrade Experience (wheels/tires/transaxle)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Background:
=========
On the way out to Joshua Tree NP for a weekend of climbing/camping
with the family we lost 4th gear on the Syncro.  After the long (slow)
drive back to the Phx area in third gear, I decided that it was time
to move to the next stage of 'upgrades' to the Syncro Westy.  (hey
it's only worth $6000 so WTF!? ;-)

Shipped the van out to GoWesty to have the van regeared to match the
setup that this van has (for the most part)

   http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=103

Drew the line at the front locking diff, so I'm still not a member of
the "3 knob club" maybe sometime in the future I suppose...

Photo Here:
=========
http://tims.homeunix.net:8080/~tims/gallery/VW/syncroB_W

<Missed this years photo contest.. oh well.. save it for next year>


Re: 16" Rims/Tires:
--------------------
These rims are a better match for the BFG's than the ones I
had on there, more from a cosmetic standpoint than anything.
They were able to sell the old rims to another buyer, and credit
me the difference, cool! Gained another 1.5" in ground clearance
compared to the previous wheel/tire set that I had on there.

Re: Transaxle re-gearing
-------------------------
With the new gearing, I can cruise at 70Mph now, right at the
sweet spot for the 2.4L engine with the RPM's at 3600

Gas mileage was consistently higher all the way back home by
2-3mpg, and the top end is easily 10mph faster than it was
with the stock gearing.

Also gave up the hope of keeping the van R-12 and converted
that over at the same time.  The last freon charge had lasted
approx 1.5 years.  Unfortunately in Az. A/C is not an option!
At least it's 134 now so I can refill at will.

Anyways, extremely pleased with the changes in gearing/wheels/tires
on the van.

Not inexpensive by *any* means, but nothing about keeping a
Syncro westy in top running shape is.

No affiliation with GoWesty, just a satisfied customer.

 -tim


90 Syncro Westy
Mesa, AZ