A Syncro (notice there is no "h" in Syncro) = is a totally different beast.  As an owner of a Syncro Westy, I = can tell you that there are innumerable differences from a 2WD which = makes them very unique.  My advice would be to stick with 2WD = unless you want/need 4WD.  The reason I say this is that they are = a bit more work to maintain and a bit more expensive, and if you don't = love it for being a Syncro (like I do) you could find it = tiresome.  They are also about 300 lbs heavier, and don't get as = good gas mileage as a 2WD .  (For example, I get about 15-17 MPG = where a lot of 2WD Westies talk about getting 20+ MPG.

On the other hand, if you feel the need for a really = unique and superior 4WD vehicle, the Syncro is GREAT!  You will = also join the ranks of a great sub-group within the list community = where we do neat stuff like have custom springs made and import shocks = by the container load from Australia.  :-)

Good luck with whatever you choose!

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: Kim Springer [mailto:kspringr@IX.NETCOM.COM= ]
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2000 12:09 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Synchro vs Non-Synchro

Tobin,

Thanks for the encouragement.

To All (even Eric),

Maybe this is a good subject for some review.  = My understanding is that the mounting of the front diff' and the extra = "ladder beam" that you find on the synchos is completely = different than what you find underneath the Non-Syncho.

I myself have never crawled under the two to = compare.

Feedback from the viewing audience?

Thanks, Kim