Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 00:36:15 +0100
Reply-To: Don McCallum <trosgol@ENTERPRISE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Don McCallum <trosgol@ENTERPRISE.NET>
Subject: Re: Syncro front diff lock: availability and conversion? (long)
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
Lawrence and Martin - I belive that the main reason a front diff lock was not available in the USA is due to the fact that when the front axle is locked while driving on a good road surface, virtually all steering is lost and the van keeps going straight on when it gets to a bend. Over here an accident would be put down to "pilot error" - but I suspect in the USA the manufacturer would get sued! Below are copies of earlier posts from Tim Smith (smitht@pop.unb.ca) which I think answer your questions:
Don McCallum (1992 T3 1.6 TD Syncro, 1986 T3 1.9 Camper, North Wales, UK)
Hi Don,
I've machined out the front diff to take the locker components from the
rear, they are all identical. Derek's not the only one with a front locker
this side of the pond :) They do rarely come up for sale too, as new units
from Germany.
I've used an Audi Quattro locker control panel, fits beautifully under dash
lip, includes a cig. lihter too. Much nicer than the VW version, one click
of a nice big dial gets rear, another click gets front added on. I can
lock/unlock faster and with more certainty, the VW knob/valve is pretty
cheap plastic and had cracked already.
I can't run the diffs independently, but doubt I would ever want to. I
wired up the Audi PCB for it's LED indicators, works fine. No blinking.
Tried it first with the VW panel, there is only one PCB in my VW panel, just
LED/bulbs, no flasher cct. How is yours put together, with an extra
'mini-board'? My Syncro came fully wired for the front locker, just
connected it up at the diff switch and front LED came on! maybe winken und
blinken was a later modification, handling does suffer with front engaged,
not a bad idea the warning.
Hi Derek/Syncronauts,
short answer, ALL locker/servo components are same in both ends. Remember,
SDP designed the system NOT VW ;).
My front locker was built from a dead trans rear locker. I machined the case
myself. You keep your old front R&P however, just swap the ring from
non-locker to locker carrier, and set it up properly :(. Indicator switch
wiring is tied up to bottom of the chassis, nothing electrical needed.
Control panel on dash is now from Audi Quattro, nicer, single dial to twist,
one click for rear, two clicks for both, way better made valve body, same
LEDs to light up (I use Audi centre diff as front locker LED), and I got a
bonus cigarette lighter out of the deal. Easier getting on/off the lockers
when turning in soggy cramped places. Low profile, fits/looks nice under the
dash lip, after a bit of carving (of Audi panel). Extra vac. line was also
taken from Audi.
-----Original Message-----
From: Lawrence Dongilli <buspilot@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: 26 August 1998 14:58
Subject: Re: Syncro front diff lock: availability and conversion?
>I am also interested in any information regarding the following post -
>
>Lawrence
>
>----------
>Martin Peitz wrote:
>
>> I've been wondering about the availability of the front diff lock in the
>> Syncro here in the US.
>> I have never seen one equiped like that in the US, but maybe its a
>> regional occurance. Canada may again be different.
>> In Germany, where people order cars in the configuration they want them
>> in from the catalog and option list, I have seens lots of front diff
>> locks.
>> In the US most Syncros seem to have been sold with the rear lock only,
>> but some no-lock-at-all cars are around.
>
>> Does anybody know anything more about the VW sales approach and
>> statistics on this.
>
>> I am contemplating to convert a front diff to lock using the setup from
>> the rear lock.
>
>> I remember somebody doing this before. Who was this? Please contact me.
>> It is interesting to note that the front diff lock components do not
>> list in the US parts fiche, but of course do show in the german fiche.
>> This speaks against availability in the US, but then anything is
>> possible in the confused VW sales organization.
>
>> Anybody have a front diff housing for lock laying around, maybe you
>> folks in Europe?
>
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