Date:         Fri, 19 Jun 1998 00:22:53 -0700
Reply-To:     Per Lindgren <lindgre@ONLINE.NO>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Per Lindgren <lindgre@ONLINE.NO>
Subject:      Re: Pre-loading Rear Springs re Syncro Suspension (even long-er)
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Fred Porter wrote:
>
> Per,
> are there no suspension differences for a 16" wheeled van?
> Hmmm, then why are other folks that are interested in 16" conversion so
> concerned about CVs???
> I only mentioned them recently in my spring conversation with Steve X.
> S. because i had read it previously elsewhere.  You are right, that the
> ride height is only because ofthe wheel diameter.
>
> i think if there is a concern about CVs then raising it with donuts
> under the springs is much more relevant than the 16" wheels???
>
> later,
> fred
>
>

I do not know about the differences, but I also have a german magazine "Top Gear", issue
4/1987, that my brother fortunately bought on a vacation in germany, and this mag has an
article about the new 16" syncro. It says that at first glance it looks like VW has put
ion bigger tires, but the differences is bigger than that. Something has to justify the
extra price of over 6000DM. The projekt-leader Henning Duckstein says that "to
accomodate serious off-road use, the body has been strengthened with various metal
pieces in neccesary places. In addition, extra under-body beams improve the rigidity of
the bodywork. Because of these improvements, they were able to increase the payload with
200 kgs. The consequense of this, is that the driveline has to be improved, also, to
carry the extra weight. That is primarly why they had to put on 16" tires, and to be
able to put snow chains on these, they enlarged the wheelwells.
In addition, the CV-joints and the brakes were modified, to stand up to even the
toughest terrain, without getting damaged.(Even though they did not state what the mods
are) The locking rearaxle is standard, while the 100% lock up front is option."

I would guess that the HD cv-joints is for taking the punishment from the combination of
rougher terrain, extra weight and larger tires, while the brakes are for stopping the
extra weight. It is not written anything about other mods to the suspension or
front/rear differentials.
The article has one large photo of a red highroof, steaming through an icy river, and a
small photo of the same car climbing up on a snowy river bank. There are also pictures
of Caravelle Carat Westfalia poptop, with some really cool 16" alloys! They are
multispoked(about 25-30 spokes?) and they are polished, also. There is also a picture of
a single cab pickup. The engines offered are the 2,1 with 112hp, and the turbodiesel
with only 70hp. 0-50mph acceleration is said to be done in 11,6 seconds.
I will try to scan these pictures on a later occasion, and send them to vanagon.com
Although this aint much information, it is all that i can help with. Hope it was
interesting.

Per Lindgren
88 Syncro