Syncro Off-Road Abilities vs. Competition

ericos_bob · Posted: Sat May 05, 2012 4:03 am Post subject:

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.

hege · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 3:55 am Post subject:

I dont know what to say after seeing this video:

Link

randywebb · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 12:39 pm Post subject:

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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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

onwardtothestars · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 5:24 pm Post subject:

GrindGarage · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 5:38 pm Post subject:

Silver syncro puts modern Toyota to shame good work driver
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-cliff

91 Vanagon AUTO
97 Single Port EJ22 all smallcar.com

thevannmann · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 6:29 pm Post subject:

^ x2
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1982 1.6 NA Diesel Westfalia "Bearly Muven"
1990 Volvo 740 Turbo Intercooler

ericos_bob · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 7:02 pm Post subject:

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.

conchyjoe · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 8:46 pm Post subject:

ericos_bob · Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 9:29 pm Post subject:

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.

hege · Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 3:09 am Post subject:

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

Link

At the users channel there are more videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheLionOfAfrica

onwardtothestars · Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 6:21 pm Post subject:

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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Beetle, Ghia, Vanagon Syncro, and more

IdahoDoug · Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 9:16 pm Post subject:

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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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1993 Toyota LandCruiser, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

onwardtothestars · Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 9:49 pm Post subject:

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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Beetle, Ghia, Vanagon Syncro, and more

IdahoDoug · Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 9:56 pm Post subject:

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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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1993 Toyota LandCruiser, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

Jon_slider · Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 12:12 pm Post subject:

2wd plus syncro rear tranny with locker

Link

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hellenic vanagon · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 6:08 pm Post subject:

nemobuscaptain · Samba Member Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 3874

Phishman068 · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 7:12 pm Post subject:

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!

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

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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569774
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6864936#6864936

"Along with the ability to go fast, one looses the desire to hurry."

carterzest · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 8:42 pm Post subject:

Link

Same run the next day.....

Link

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Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror!

MTV1960 · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 8:44 pm Post subject: Syncro locker operation

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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86 Wolfsburg Weekender
87 Syncro Westy


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Syncro Off-Road Abilities vs. Competition
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