TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Feb 01, 2012 10:09 am

Here's my '85 with a locking syncro tranny in some light action.
Grabber 27" x 8.5" on stock alloys - spacers on rear - ~17.5" wheel center to wheel well ride height all around.

This is outside of Crested Butte, CO - approx 9500ft.

You can hear the rear tire scrubbing as I turn into the crossing. NO way a unlocked rear would make it up this (without damaging momentum).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UFLCcn9PBA&feature=player_detailpage

coming down the same crossing (the camp site up there was taken)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR_8ndPJrDs&feature=player_detailpage

I love the granny gear with locking diff!! it'll lift a wheel off the ground and keep moving :D

I need some more videos...
(but I don't know how to embed them properly so the youtube window is in the post :? )

Wed Feb 01, 2012 10:19 am

just ran out of money to keep modding...so far subi 2.5, bilstein hd,gw 2inch lift... but plans are tubular bumps, swing away tire carrier, roof rack, have 16in tires going...looking for some more agrresive treads in future,,,

all good things in all good time

Wed Feb 01, 2012 11:20 am

Got it for ya...Just use the "YouTube" button on your highlighted link (rather than plain URL button):

Farfrumwork wrote:

Wed Feb 01, 2012 1:16 pm

Cool - thanks!

Wed Feb 01, 2012 3:13 pm

Looks nice GBA 88West. How does it ride?
Here is mine. It's in shop now with the suspension
torn apart. I'll have after pictures soon.

Wed Feb 01, 2012 3:38 pm

Nice lookin' vans Bill and GB. I get a chuckle out of threads like this one (even more so at the "Have you seend one" thread). Other than a few differences in models and cosmetic upgrades, and the occassional uber resto/modded van, these vehicles pretty much all look the same.

Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:02 am

Driving through the snow this weekend, on some crappy kumhos (thanks PO) there was a LOT of slipping with the open diff. Does anyone have experience with an LSD VS locking rear diff? Can you put a locker in the 2WD trans, or do you need a syncro trans?

I bet with some better tires I wouldn't have had to put my chains on as much, however some kind of not open diff would have been great too...

Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:03 am

Think Peloquins.com

Mon Mar 19, 2012 1:18 pm

kuleinc wrote: Driving through the snow this weekend, on some crappy kumhos (thanks PO) there was a LOT of slipping with the open diff. Does anyone have experience with an LSD VS locking rear diff? Can you put a locker in the 2WD trans, or do you need a syncro trans?

I bet with some better tires I wouldn't have had to put my chains on as much, however some kind of not open diff would have been great too...

The Peloquin has completely changed my winter driving experience! Highly recommended. Real winter tires made a big difference too.

Mon Mar 19, 2012 1:47 pm

kuleinc wrote: I bet with some better tires I wouldn't have had to put my chains on as much, however some kind of not open diff would have been great too...

I have BFG ATs without much wear and am still not very inspired with the traction I get on greasy surfaces. So, your tires may not be completely to blame.

Then again, I JUST realized that my Pathfinder (with the same tires) has a LSD rear end so my expectations of what the van should be able to do have been unfairly biased by what I've come to expect from the Pathfinder while in 2WD.

I've only been driving the Pathy for 14 years :oops:

Mon Mar 19, 2012 3:19 pm

kuleinc wrote: Can you put a locker in the 2WD trans, or do you need a syncro trans?

My 2WD have has the provisions to mount the locker actuator. I've been told you need all the locker components from a Syncro trans. I also thought I heard someone say Weddle makes all the components as well. I would rather have the Syncro trans for the granny gear, but see as how they're so hard to come by, I might just try and have the lockers put in the 2WD if possible.

Mon Mar 19, 2012 4:14 pm

So it sounds like the peloquin would be the better choice, since I don't do REAL off roading, and would like more traction in the rain and snow on roads. I do some fire roads but nothing too serious...

Mon Mar 19, 2012 5:13 pm

AnmlMthrM60 wrote: kuleinc wrote: Can you put a locker in the 2WD trans, or do you need a syncro trans?

My 2WD have has the provisions to mount the locker actuator. I've been told you need all the locker components from a Syncro trans. I also thought I heard someone say Weddle makes all the components as well. I would rather have the Syncro trans for the granny gear, but see as how they're so hard to come by, I might just try and have the lockers put in the 2WD if possible.

Are you sure it has the actuator boss for the locker? I bought a syncro non-locking trans and it didn't have it.

Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:09 pm

I think all 1990 and up manual trans housings had the locker boss on them.

I just removed this trans from my 88 2wd westy,it has a production date of early 1990.The main case housing is the same for 2wd and syncro.So you can use a syncro or late 2wd case and build a 2wd with locker.I had German Transaxle in Bend Or. build a 2wd locker for me.My core has a bad pinion and the shipping from Canada to Bend Or. didn't make it cost effective to ship back. If anyone wants to buy a locker case PM me. Here is the new one just before install.

Now all this is great,but if 90% of your driving is on road with very little snow your best bet would be better tires. Then you could consider the Peloquin for improved traction.The locker is great for where it's intended,and that's off road.One wheel in the air and both are still driving.But on snow,ice,greasy mud and the slightest side hill and the diff locked the rear can slide sideways before you know it.Also the locker should not be used on the road.

Tue Mar 20, 2012 6:17 am

8)

Tue Mar 20, 2012 12:13 pm

Figured this is a good place to post my van. 1wd saving up for peliquin, GW Springs with tall Monroe sensatrac shocks with helper springs:

Tue Mar 20, 2012 12:33 pm

Grind has a set thats for sure.

My LSD Multivan.. GW's

Fri Mar 23, 2012 3:45 pm

Heres another 2WD for your records :D

Sat Apr 14, 2012 9:58 pm

r39o wrote: Think Peloquins.com

http://www.peloquins.com/091.jpg

$1225.00 :shock:

Sun Apr 15, 2012 10:34 am

vwjedi wrote: r39o wrote: Think Peloquins.com

http://www.peloquins.com/091.jpg

$1225.00 :shock:

Plus installation - worth every penny. ;)