Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 08:59:25 -0700
Reply-To: Brent Christensen <bpchristensen@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Brent Christensen <bpchristensen@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject: Reasons for a Westy top on a Jeep (Was Re: A travesty)
I hate to blaspheme here on the list, but, as GREAT as the Syncro is, I can
tell you that without another 100 or so HP, it will never be a match off
road for a Jeep.
Sorry, but as a pretty hard-core off roader and owner of many Jeeps, I need
to dispel the myth that the Syncro is some kind of all-terrain monster. If
you have the proper expectations, it is a WONDERFUL camper, though, and
perfect for most areas of Baja and such.
The biggest disappointments I have had off-road so far with my Syncro is the
approach angle being insufficient to clear steep ramps or drop-offs, gearing
that is not low enough for picking your way through tough spots, and just
not enough torque or muscle to climb short, steep hills. I would love to
put bigger tires on him, but with the lack of "guts" already, I fear I would
be trading a few mm of ground clearance for a noticeable loss of power (not
to mention making the low speed gearing situation worse).
The ULTIMATE set-up in my mind would be a, I-6 4.0L 190 hp engine (a la
Jeep), 30" tires, and some kind of auxiliary transfer case that could
provide about a 35% underdrive. (Heck, it could use a 30% overdrive on the
highway, too). Now THERE'S something to dream about... :-)
Of course, all said and done, Jeeps aren't too comfortable to sleep in, you
can't change your clothes in a Wal-Mart parking lot in them while standing
up, and... they are not a Vanagon! <g>
Brent Christensen
'89 Syncro Westy
'95 Cherokee Sport 4 X 4
Formerly:
'69 Jeep CJ-5 w/ 8" lift, 33" BFG's, 4.58 Powr-Loc diffs F & R, Warn
Overdrive, XD9000i Winch, full roll cage, etc.
'64 IH Scout with 250 HP Chevy 350, SM465 trans, 10" lift with military
axles, 35" BFG mudders, 65 gal fuel cap, etc.
'71 Jeep Commando 225 V-6
'72 Landcruiser FJ-40
----- Original Message -----
From: Aleksandr Milewski <n6mod@DAUNTLESS.MILEWSKI.ORG>
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 1999 9:04 PM
Subject: Re: A travesty
> There was just a thread on the Full Size Jeep list about putting a Westy
> top on a Grand Wagoneer. I guess the guy had never heard of a Syncro. ;)
>
> -Zandr
>
>
> At 17:47 -0700 on 990511, charles fladger commanded the electrons thusly:
> |That is a travesty. I would like to see a 1963 Chevy Greenbrier with a
> |Westfalia top on it. That would be something.
> |
> |Charles
> |
> |--- Michael Sullivan <sullivan@OPENMARKET.COM> wrote:
> |> Dear List,
> |>
> |>
> |> Today in rush hour traffic I saw a strange sight:
> |>
> |>
> |> A Chevy Astro with the unmistakeable fiberglas
> |> poptop from a Westy!
> |
> |_________________________________________________________
> |Do You Yahoo!?
> |Free instant messaging and more at http://messenger.yahoo.com
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Aleksandr Milewski N6MOD
> n6mod@milewski.org http://www.milewski.org
>
| 
