Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 19:19:40 -0800
Reply-To: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
Subject: Re: question bout diff-lock and tires (new syncro owner)
In-Reply-To: <v03110702b13ed57b70ff@[142.154.21.232]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
At 11:15 3/25/98 -0500, Gary E Thaxter wrote:
>Getting my Syncro on the road Today! I've had it since november but
>finally got enough money to get it certified and lisenced.
>
>First week I had it I went playing in the swamp with my brother who just
>bought a 68 Chevy K-10 short box 4x4 beast. I was havin a ball seeing how
>far I could go before he would have to pull me back out again. I got it on
>video and might get it on a web site in the future.
What? I usually pull my friends Ford F150 4x4 out! :)
>I was doing pretty well for the way the van was running, but I only had old
>snow tires on and the diff lock wasn't working. Diff lock is now fixed and
>I was wondering can I engage it when the vehicle is moving, or do I have to
>be stopped? How much of a difference does does a locker make?
The rear lock should only be done while stationary so I was told be the
dealer. I *have* engauged it while getting into a holly s#!t situation and
I had no ill effects (knock on wood). The locking rear diff has saved my
bacon more than once. I think a Syncro without one has a serious handicap.
>Next question is about tires. There have been a lot of posts and a lot of
>opinions. I am pretty much decided on the BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A's,
>but I plan to do a couple of "fun" weekends this summer and I wondered how
>these tires are in the mud? Also how are they for road noise and wear?
Currently I run 225/60 16" mud and snow tires. These are about 26.5" tall.
This summer I am getting some 215/70 16" BFG ATs these will come it at
about 27.7" tall. I personally want to venture over 29" as there are some
people with 235/70 15" that have problems with rubbing when cornering.
Perhaps 235mm is too wide at that height.
>I have a spare set of rims (one alloy set and one original steel set) and I
>was wondering if there was a good set of "really" off road tires that I
>could switch to (a friend suggested looking for Mickey Thompsons to fit?)
>and keep a set of just road tires. . . or are the BFG's good enough for all
>round everything?
My friend with the Ford has 33x10.5 BFG Mud Terrains and he swears but
them. He also says that they are horrible if not dangerous in the winter.
>If anyone has any other tips for mud "syncro-ing" they would be
>appreciated. . .
>thanks a bunch eh!
Tire Chains, Bear Paws, Tow Strap, Hand Winch and some spair belts! Have fun!
>Gary Thaxter
>78 westy
>85 kombi
>86 syncroGL putting it on the road TODAY!!
-- David Marshall Email: david@volkswagen.org --
-- 78 1.8L VW Rabbit, 80 2.0L VW Caddy, 87 Audi 5KQ --
-- 85 VW Cabrio, 88 VW Syncro Double Cab Transporter --
-- Volkswagen Homepage http://www.volkswagen.org --
-- VW Caddy Homepage http://www.volkswagen.org/caddy --
-- USE DAVID@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG WHEN SENDIGN EMAIL --