Date: Thu, 26 Nov 1998 11:02:41 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes57@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes57@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
Subject: Re: Alternate Syncro Ratios and Configurations #2
As for being vulnerable, you are always vulnerable in a Vanagon. Especially
with a transmission problem. The Vanagon engine does not produce enough
power to worry about a sudden ring and pinion failure. Except for lack of
oil, all such failures offer lots of warning. Lack of oil also give warning
but the time to reacts is limited to miles, not hundreds or thousands. I
would not consider the time to get parts as a deterrent to changing gear
ratios.
What is a deterrent is the cost versus benefit. Especially for a Syncro
owner. As for changing the final drive to get lower speeds for creeping,
the final result will be disappointing. Going from a 4.86 to a 5.86 will
only slow you down about 20%. Unfortunately, your engine will now spin 20%
faster at highway speeds and you will still have to slip the clutch to
creep. This is an advantage of having an automatic transmission. This
change may be advantages with larger tires. The big problem with larger
tires is that you are limited by wheel well size , trailing arms. etc. You
must also consider the effect that larger tires have on the brakes.
Increased tire diameter increases the torque load to the brakes for any
given speed. I f you are looking to use 30 inch tires, I would definitely
look to upgrade the brakes somehow. The Vanagon brakes are barely capable
now. Most us at some time has experienced that burning brake smell.
Happy Thanksgiving
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Todd Hill <Jwilli941@AOL.COM>
To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM <vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Wednesday, November 25, 1998 2:50 PM
Subject: Re: Alternate Syncro Ratios and Configurations #2
> drew@INTERPORT.NET writes:
>
><< The trouble with doing this is that it leaves you quite
>vulnerable in the event that you have a problem with either
>your transmission or differential in the future, as you will not be
>able to obtaining spare units of the correct ratio on short notice. >>
>
>True. Weedle Engr. offers a spliced 4.57 091 pinion onto a
>002 shaft for approx. $300 + core. I would think that the opposite
>could be done with the Syncro ring and pinions but I haven't
>been into a front diff in quite a while and don't remember if this
>type of fabrication could work. Stock ratio options could be:
>4.57, 4.83, 4.86 (stock Syncro), 5.38, 5.42, and 5.86. While
>these are stock ratios and fairly easy to come by if you did
>have a failure you would be stuck until a new spliced ring and
>pinion set could be made and shipped as Derek pointed out.
>Sounds like a good idea though.
>
>-Todd Hill
> VolksWerks Transaxles
> Olympia, WA
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