Winter Driving: Tips, Tricks, & Mods (2WD & 4WD)

flomulgator · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 8:36 am Post subject:

The "winter snowflake" or "severe service emblem" has always been the real joke: it's ridiculously easy to get, and has only ever meant that a tire has passable winter traction as opposed to none at all. The danger lies in the consumer mis-interpreting the "severe" and snowflake as indicating an actual Winter Tire, when in reality it just differentiates the Ditch Dwellers from the Made it Homes.

I imagine this all-terrain tire with snowflake would perform in snow about the same as a BFG all terrain (which also has a snowflake) in snow. Birdcage says he's driving on ice....I know that is where the BFG AT is at it's weakest and I bet the same is true of the Rotiiva (due to sipe count).
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She's built like a steakhouse, but she handles like a bistro!

Jon_slider · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 9:48 am Post subject:

Birdcage · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 3:33 pm Post subject:

bluefirefly · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 3:52 pm Post subject:

Jeez, you are so aggressive.... take a chamomile or something....
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86 Syncro Tintop G60
work in progress ...as always!

IdahoDoug · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 7:42 pm Post subject:

Birdcage,

Appreciate the info that these are poor on ice and snow because many do live in places that are warm but like to play on ice and snow for trips, etc. Also agree you were a little heavy handed, but I suspect had the same conversation taken place around a fire you guys would have figured out that your tires are properly road rated pleasantly. The limitations of yakking on a forum, yes?

Rgds,
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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, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

corter · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:14 pm Post subject:

They told us 6-10" then rain here on Cape Cod, but it didn't warm up so we got around 2 feet with drifts over 4' due to wind. Got to be an honorary Westy for the day but the driving ban meant I only got to pack down the driveway! Dylan built the underside of this van and it drives straight through almost 2 feet of snow without an issue.

front/rear lockers, aggressive VC, stock gearing with a Zetec, 225/75/16 bfg a/t's

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

Driving ban is lifted at midnight, so I'll probably sneak out for a bit then to explore. I'm sure there was a ton of erosion during this storm

insyncro · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:20 pm Post subject:

I was hoping to see you out having some fun with that beast Exclamation

WestyBob · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 3:25 pm Post subject:

That rig looks battle-ready !

Any serious getting stuck or roll-overs without anyone getting hurt ... get us some pics Wink

flomulgator · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 4:02 pm Post subject:

Corter I dare you to spell "Civil Disobedience" in an empty parking lot with those BFGs. Proper cursive, of course.

If need be put a sign that say "Emergency Samaritan Patrol" in the back window.
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She's built like a steakhouse, but she handles like a bistro!

syncrodoka · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 4:58 pm Post subject:

Jon_slider · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2015 4:59 pm Post subject:

corter · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 1:35 pm Post subject:

Ok kids, here's some pictures.

Notes to keep this thread-appropriate: As my first time in snow after a 3 year build, and never having driven a syncro in the snow before, I think all the right choices were made in this project. Daryl (rip) and Dylan really guided me the right way and we built one hell of a van. The front and rear lockers got me in and out of 2' of unplowed double track. Aggressive VC did it's thing, and the best part was that at the end of it all, I could pop it all off and drive home decoupled on the clear main streets. There was a bit of worry about the big tires, but yea...they definitely helped Very Happy

Most of the time I was simply coupled on packed snow. A few times I used the rear locker, and one or two unplowed trails required the front locker. Granny gear with the stock r&p was absolutely insane- just monster trucked through everything! Definitely suggest the full Bostig skid plate setup and even the Go Westy front skid plate (or similar) for deep snow, it was kind of like driving a sled at points and they really helped.

I was worried I was keeping up with the Jones' and installing all this stuff I would never use. I no longer have that worry, because they've made this van an unbelievable tool for adventure!

I was kind of busy driving, but here's a few pics I managed to take:

Travel buddies

Photo Stop, storm eroded away about 25 ft. of dunes and the entire entry to the beach

Nauset Light on the way out

WestyBob · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 7:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the nice pics, Corter.

You even took 'Arfy' the dog for the ride Very Happy

Your rig looks ready to come out west and run with the best of the syncronauts here Cool

insyncro · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 1:57 pm Post subject:

I am very pleased to see and hear that the Corter van is performing well.
It was a long process for sure.
I feel kinda like a proud Uncle so to speak.

I also heard via the van-a-grapevine that a few Cape Cod and Western Mass Volks are getting together in a few weeks.
My Buddy Steve Rose should get a kick out of the underside.
Be safe, dress warmly Exclamation

insyncro · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 2:02 pm Post subject: studded vs non

I have been fortunate to have a few different sets of Nokian Tires mounted.
Today was the final straw...no more unstudded winter tires for me.

In a thread last winter, many said I was nuts and had to try a new set of unstudded Noks.
Well, I did, in 14s, 15s and 16s...sorry Volks, but my Syncros will stay studded up.
No comparison in control and braking, period.

The unstudded tires with very few miles will go on CL first and than eBay if no takers.
I would prefer to not ship them.

Syncro Jael · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 2:20 pm Post subject:

insyncro · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 3:17 pm Post subject:

It has been my pleasure to assist Ron.
Each time I see a picture of your van it makes me Very Happy

.

Years ago I was hoping a few more would get hooked as I did...so many sweet vans out and about now.

I am working on an 87 Syncro Westfalia for Andrew currently...this thing is getting every bell and whistle plus a full restore and fresh paint.
Pics coming soon.

insyncro · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 6:00 am Post subject:

Another Clipper arrived early this AM, 12 hours ahead of schedule.
12"-16" for my area of NY and on its way due East towards Boston and the Cape Shocked

Switching back to studded Nokians has saved me and my trusty Syncro's a$$ twice since doing so...single digit temps and 25mph winds has been glazing roads and offering up drifts where they were not hours previously.

Sorry to hear of the lack of snow elsewhere and ski areas going belly up...we were in the same position for the last 2-3 years around here.

FYI, the Fluid Film treatments have really been paying off under the van.
More to come on that.

WestyBob · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2015 10:51 am Post subject:


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Winter Driving: Tips, Tricks, & Mods (2WD & 4WD)
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