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Syncro Off-Road Abilities vs. Competition
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ericos_bob
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PostPosted: Sat May 05, 2012 4:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I consider my modified syncro as capable as any average 4x4. Give or take a bit of offroad performance when comparing to various makes and models but the differences are minimal. So much so that I find driver skill is able to make up for advantages one has over another. I'm talking pathfinders, jeeps, toyotas, landrovers etc which are not modified to extremes.

For me, to really move up a level form a modified syncro I'd be thinking more of unimogs, pinzgauers or other custom extreme offroaders as they will go where a syncro simply cannot regardless of driver skill.
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hege
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PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 3:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I dont know what to say after seeing this video:


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randywebb
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PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 12:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

does " average 4x4" mean average SUV?? b/c those are not always very capable - Honda Pilot would be one example of a so-called soft-roader
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onwardtothestars Premium Member
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PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 5:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hege wrote:
I dont know what to say after seeing this video:


Link


The Syncro certainly competes, and i must say its not a modified rig.
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GrindGarage
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PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 5:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Silver syncro puts modern Toyota to shame good work driver
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thevannmann
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PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 6:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

^ x2
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ericos_bob
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PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 7:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lol what a great clip I love it and a very good driver behind the wheel of that syncro! I also find a lot of people will write off their syncros offroad ability without ever really testing what it can do simply due to the tech talk naysayers hyping up their modern 4x4s.

Oh and by average 4x4 I'm talking about the vehicles I commonly go 4 wheeling with which are cars like new and old toyota landcruisers/ troopies,hilux, nissan pathfinders,patrols, holden jackaroos, mitsubishi pajero's,delicas,tritons, holden jackaroo's, jeep wranglers,cherokee sports etc. I would consider these makes and models to be on the same playing field as my modified syncro.

Every once in a while there will be a heavily modified jeep or other that will have all the bells and whistles. I don't run into these too often though and obviously aren't average 4x4s you'd run into off the beaten track.
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conchyjoe
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PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 8:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

IdahoDoug wrote:
That is not an easy trail and if anyone here has been through the Miller Jeep Trail I suspect they'd chime in to say a stock Vanagon Syncro would not make it through and a modified one would have a lot of trouble and need to be driven in such a way that it endangered the drivetrain and suspension components.


i'm late to the party, but I used to run that trail in a fairly stock Tacoma, Cj jeep, and later in a built fj60. All vehicles made it, but I would never ever consider taking a synchro through them. Not saying it couldn't be done, just that it would not be fun...

Having said all of that, the reason I sold all of those vehicles, and don't own one now is what someone said about camping etc. It's nice to snail it around with your home on your back, and just open the door and cook...

I reckon the best comparison to the Synchro is the Mistubishi L300 Delica. If I could get a diesel one over here in the US, it would give my VW love a run for the my hard earned cash... although, they do have a low range too... essentially a van on Shogun/montero frame and drive train...

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2400cc turbo diesel... oh man i miss european car markets sometimes...
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ericos_bob
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PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 9:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice pic of the delica. The older l300 does catch my eye. It's too bad the new delicas have gone all egg shaped and narrow.
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hege
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PostPosted: Tue May 08, 2012 3:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

But it didn't end well for the syncro. He rolled it over.


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At the users channel there are more videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheLionOfAfrica
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onwardtothestars Premium Member
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PostPosted: Tue May 08, 2012 6:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So did the jeep or whatever in the last video. Also notice the van was still drivable once being pulled over.
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IdahoDoug
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PostPosted: Tue May 08, 2012 9:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was showing a friend some Moab videos this weekend. Took a stock SUV through Metal Bender, Hells Revenge, Poison Spider and Porcupine Rim. Included the optional hardest obstacles in all cases, and also Launch Pad and the now closed Dump Bump. Stock SUV, no lockers and ended with zero body damage.

I'm dying to get to Moab to test my Van. Wonder if they are running any of the above trails? Those are pretty gnarly in several long sections.

DougM
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PostPosted: Tue May 08, 2012 9:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a Touareg too and I've seen Moab videos of them in action. Driving both my Syncro and my Touareg in the same offroad situations here on the ranch and elsewhere I'd say the Syncro is very capable, the wife and I prefer the Syncro.
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PostPosted: Tue May 08, 2012 9:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Forgot to add earlier we did NOT make it up Dump Bump. It's a 12 foot high pitched slab and I did not know once the wheels are spinning on the rock to walk it to the left to hook the huge rooty-looking thing to get over the lip. That thing's crazy and for those who've seen it, didn't want to mislead that I made it - yowza.

Made everything else. Moab is a virtual playground for a machine like a Syncro and I urge those who wonder if it's worth it, to consider going. You'll never forget it.

DougM
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Jon_slider
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PostPosted: Wed May 09, 2012 12:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

2wd plus syncro rear tranny with locker

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hellenic vanagon
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PostPosted: Wed May 29, 2013 6:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

conchyjoe wrote:
IdahoDoug wrote:
That is not an easy trail and if anyone here has been through the Miller Jeep Trail I suspect they'd chime in to say a stock Vanagon Syncro would not make it through and a modified one would have a lot of trouble and need to be driven in such a way that it endangered the drivetrain and suspension components.


i'm late to the party, but I used to run that trail in a fairly stock Tacoma, Cj jeep, and later in a built fj60. All vehicles made it, but I would never ever consider taking a synchro through them. Not saying it couldn't be done, just that it would not be fun...

Having said all of that, the reason I sold all of those vehicles, and don't own one now is what someone said about camping etc. It's nice to snail it around with your home on your back, and just open the door and cook...

I reckon the best comparison to the Synchro is the Mistubishi L300 Delica. If I could get a diesel one over here in the US, it would give my VW love a run for the my hard earned cash... although, they do have a low range too... essentially a van on Shogun/montero frame and drive train...

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


2400cc turbo diesel... oh man i miss european car markets sometimes...


DEATH TRAPS #1

Link


DEATH TRAPS #2

Link

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nemobuscaptain
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PostPosted: Wed May 29, 2013 6:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hege wrote:
I dont know what to say after seeing this video:


Link


He also tore the crap out of lower nose and that bumper is barely hanging on.

It's so hard to find a good bus these days. I can't imagine beating the piss out of one like that. Ferds, Shitvies and Toyoties are cheap and expendable.
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Last edited by nemobuscaptain on Wed May 29, 2013 7:23 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Phishman068
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PostPosted: Wed May 29, 2013 7:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would say thanks to the locking rear differential, the syncro is actually quite a bit more capable in mud than your average SUV/jeep.
I've pulled a few jeeps out of the mud, and most recently, a 15 ton Case Tractor!

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PostPosted: Wed May 29, 2013 8:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote


Link


Same run the next day.....



Link

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PostPosted: Wed May 29, 2013 8:44 pm    Post subject: Syncro locker operation Reply with quote

I was wondering if when the front and rear lockers are engaged are the wheels supposed to turn in unison or is one going to break free? I was on a steep trail with loose dirt and noticed that when my rear stock locker was engaged the right wheel was spinning and the left was doing nothing. The front locker is an upgrade with a go westy decoupler and solid shaft replacing the VC. The same thing the front left was spinning out and the left doing nothing. Is the system functioning correctly or is something amiss?
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