Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:31:46 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Install a 5 speed syncro tranny in my 2WD Vanagon
In-Reply-To: <005f01c8621b$bcef7d70$a10af718@your55e5f9e3d2>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
The steepness and traction available on boat launching ramps varies greatly.
And a granny gear and locked rear diff sure could help !
For 2WD with a regular differential - Doubt this will help much, but it's a
cheater way to transfer power to the non-spinning wheel.
You put the parking brake on about half way, so resistance is more equal
side-to-side, and this can have a small affect in transferring drive to the
non-spinning wheel, and slowing down the spinning one. And get you moving.
Short boat launch story. One of my Oregon junk yards sold me a diesel
engine out of a diesel vanagon for 100 dollars. Like they lifted the whole
van up on a fork lift and I'm under it undoing things.......but I get this
engine for 100 dollars. And they say it's pretty good. I take it to port
Townsend Wa, and sell it to my buddy with a diesel vanagon for 150
dollars...........which is like 'free' for any diesel vanagon engine with
years of life left in it.
He somehow, launching his sailboat in Puget Sound manages to suck water ,
salt water no less, into the air intake of his diesel engine.
You know what that does right ? it's instant blow up. Poor guy. So don't
ever let that happen launching.
I used to tow a 15 ft. West White Potter mini-cabin sloop behind an MGB
sports car. Cute fine rig. Boat was named Baby Wolf. - a take off on Sea
Wolf of course, ala Jack London.
Btw, you must know that there's the trick of putting a chain or rope between
the tow vehicle and the boat trailer, so you can stay up on dry land while
you lower the boat & trailer into the water, and vice versa coming out.
You MUST know about that one, right ?? !
Scott
www.turbovans.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Todd Olson
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 6:08 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Install a 5 speed syncro tranny in my 2WD Vanagon
Hi Dan,
The boat is an aluminum 16' boat that weighs around 250lbs, the motor weighs
another 200lbs and the trailer is around 200lbs. I think the whole thing is
less than 1000lbs with batteries, trolling motor, electronics and fuel
tanks. The Van pulls it fine down the road but on steep boat ramps I have to
really rev the engine and burn the clutch. Then if it is a gravel ramp, one
of the drive wheels will break loose and dig right down and get stuck.
I love the van so much that I would love to make it work for my needs. Many
of you would say just buy a Syncro and maybe I will someday. But I have
never had a vehicle I love more than this van. I have many fond memories in
it. So it is worth the money to make it work for me.
Wishing you many miles of smiles!
Todd Olson
Buses By the Beach
Coming Events:
Bus BRR! February 9th - 10th 2008 Angola, IN
Bus Benefit! May 15th - 18th 2008 Grand Rapids, MI
Bus Boo! September 12th - 14th 2008 Grand Rapids, MI
For more information go to: www.busesbythebeach.com
http://www.myspace.com/busesbythebeach
What song is stuck in my head these days?
Daisy May, "A Letter from Downstream"
Listen at: http://www.savethewildup.org/downstream/
Check her out at: http://www.earthworkmusic.com/daisyMay/
-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Weeks [mailto:theprofileco@dwx.com]
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2008 8:25 PM
To: Todd Olson
Subject: Re: Install a 5 speed syncro tranny in my 2WD Vanagon
I don't know, but it sounds like a great launching ramp solution.
What do you tow, and how much does it weigh? My DK/1.6D gets my 500
lb (boat and trailer) 14' cape dory sailboat up the ramp just fine,
but anything heavier would warrant your solution. Good luck!
Dan
lifelong sailor, launching ramp spectacle spectator (they should
install bleachers so you can watch folks launch their cars, etc.)
On Jan 28, 2008, at 6:39 PM, Todd Olson wrote:
> Hello Fellow Vanagon Pilots,
>
> Has anyone installed a 5 speed Syncro tranny with diff lock in a 2WD
> Vanagon? How difficult is this? Any unforeseen challenges? I tow a
> light
> weight boat behind my 2WD Westy in the summer and I need the granny
> gear and
> the diff lock to get out of some boat ramps. Do I have to locate a
> syncro
> dash module with the locker switches or can I just rig up a regular
> switch.
> Is there any shift linkage modifications? Any other additional
> parts I need
> to purchase?
>
>
>
> Thank you in advance for your help and advice.
>
>
>
> Anyone have a syncro tranny for sale?
>
>
>
> Wishing you many miles of smiles!
>
> Todd Olson
>
> Buses By the Beach
>
>
>
> Coming Events:
>
> Bus BRR! February 9th - 10th 2008 Angola, IN
>
> Bus Benefit! May 15th - 18th 2008 Grand Rapids, MI
>
> Bus Boo! September 12th - 14th 2008 Grand Rapids, MI
>
> For more information go to: <http://www.busesbythebeach.com/>
> www.busesbythebeach.com
>
> http://www.myspace.com/busesbythebeach
>
>
>
> What song is stuck in my head these days?
>
> Daisy May, "A Letter from Downstream"
>
> Listen at: http://www.savethewildup.org/downstream/
>
> Check her out at: http://www.earthworkmusic.com/daisyMay/
