Date:         Tue, 20 Jul 1999 09:57:42 +0200
Reply-To:     "Dr. Rainer Woitok" <woitok@RRZE.UNI-ERLANGEN.DE>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Dr. Rainer Woitok" <woitok@RRZE.UNI-ERLANGEN.DE>
Organization: RRZE (Regionales Rechenzentrum Erlangen)
Subject:      Re: Diff locks on 2WD Vanagons
Comments: To: "C&S Gibbs. Alaska. USA." <chrisgibbs@GCI.NET>
In-Reply-To:  Msg <37935F8F.7BAA4804@gci.net> of 1999- 7-19 09:25:33 -0800 from
              chrisgibbs@GCI.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Chris and rest,

On Mon, 1999-07-19 09:25:33 -0800, C&S Gibbs. Alaska. USA. wrote:

> ...
> Anyway, would the Syncro locker just bolt into the 2WD tranny or is it a
> different beastie?

As far as I know the answer is a  simple "no".  You'd most probably need
a complete  Syncro   tranny, but  I   don't know  whether  there  is one
available which  would match the   various gear ratios  and final  drive
ratio  of  your current  transaxle.  Next,  you'd need a   lot of vacuum
lines, a vacuum tank,  a dashboard switch and  various other parts, in a
word, you'd probably need  a donor Syncro.    But then I would  consider
bringing the Syncro back on the road rather than equipping your 2WD with
the Syncro's diff lock :-)

> ...
>                                                           Many 4WD
> enthusiasts do say that a 2WD vehicle *with* a diff lock will go places
> a 4WD vehicle *without* will not.......

That's right, but the reverse is also true: a 4WD vehicle _without_ diff
lock will go places a 2WD vehicle _with_ will not ...

Sometimes  traction on the front wheels  is more important and sometimes
limiting the slip between left and right sides is more important.  So it
all depends, and in the end you simply need both, 4WD and diff locks, if
you really want to go off the road.

Sincerely
 Rainer

'89 Caravelle GL Syncro 16"

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