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DASMULE
Samba Member
Joined: November 10, 2011
Posts: 42
Location: Seattle, WA
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 Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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| WestyBob wrote: |
Just got back from a campout near La Pine, OR and saw this ... just awesome. Hope it could become a regular event of some type  |
That sounds like a great idea. We'd be happy to plan and lead a couple runs on different sections next summer.
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MULE Expedition Outfitters
Specializing in Overland Equipment & Accessories
www.dasmule.com |
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Welchmaster
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 445
Location: Milwaukie, OR
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| Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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I'm super excited to meet you all and see these rigs at mogfest! Daryl's Tristar and the red Reimo top syncro are high on my list of favorite syncros!
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90 2wd Orly Blue Multivan weekender. "Van-Duzer"
"Further up, further in!" |
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cris torlasco 
Samba Member
Joined: November 08, 2000
Posts: 1363
Location: Delmar, NY/Buenos Aires, Argentina
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| Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 3:42 am Post subject: |
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Nice adventure, so nice to see nice syncros doing this type of thing.
Regarding the transmission temp. enigma, another factor could be driving styles.
Thanks for sharing,
Cris |
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dubbified
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2010
Posts: 1406
Location: Redmond, WA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 11:35 am Post subject: |
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This needs to be on the Vans in nature thread..
dang!!!!
So cool! |
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0to60in6min
Samba Member
Joined: November 27, 2006
Posts: 3417
Location: OR & CA (Oregon/California)
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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very nice trip... the video too..
2 questions if you don't mind..
- is the road OK for 2WD (I think so, but not sure)
- do you guys air down? if so what the PSI?
thanks |
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pnwkayaker
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2008
Posts: 920
Location: Sammamish, WA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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| 0to60in6min wrote: |
very nice trip... the video too..
2 questions if you don't mind..
- is the road OK for 2WD (I think so, but not sure)
- do you guys air down? if so what the PSI?
thanks |
The sections that we did are not very suitable for 2WD, we had to use low gear and lockers in several places (very steep slopes with big loose rocks). However, if you check in the WBDR website, there're less difficult (easier) variations that might be suitable for a 2WD (I don't actually know). We were on purpose aiming for the difficult ones.
I believe Kirk aired down at one point, but mostly to try if there was a difference, I personally didn't air down.
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87 Syncro Westy EJ25 ("Tardis")
Seattle Meetup at Marymoor (link)
A collection of Simple Useful Mods (SUM) (link) |
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snowsyncro
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2009
Posts: 1557
Location: East Preston, Nova Scotia, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Zeitgeist 13 wrote: |
| Any working theories out there as to why the TDI trans was running consistently lower trans temps? |
Could it simply be that the TDI block is cooler, so less heat transfer to transmission? In winter, those TDIs don't produce enough heat to run a heater decently. Glow plugs are added for heating.
RonC |
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zippyslug31
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2007
Posts: 799
Location: Central Oregon
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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Cool story; good job guys!
I'm looking for some adventure here in Oregon. Anybody know of equivalents? Ideally I'd like a couple day trip with some fun terrain but nothing that would be unsafe or too remote if going solo.
Last year I drove the rough road between Olallie Lake and Breitenbush Lake and that was a lot of fun. Felt like some real adventure for this city slicker.
Before they improved it, the road to Elk Lake (outside of Detriot Lake) was also a lot of fun.... now it's just a gravel road that soccer moms can navigate in their minivans. 
I've found the Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route but this looks to be primarily a bike route. But.... I've read that Jeeps do it, so if they can do it.... 
Also wondering about forest road 60 (or is that 6010) / Emigrant pass area outside of Crescent Lake off Hwy 58.
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previous:
'80 westy
current:
'90 syncro westy 2.5L subi, triple knob, 16" wheels.
'84 sunroof van, 2.1L motor. |
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syncrodoka
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 12007
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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| zippyslug31 wrote: |
| I've found the Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route but this looks to be primarily a bike route. But.... I've read that Jeeps do it, so if they can do it.... |
Exactly 
Where there is a will(and possibly a chainsaw) there is a way. |
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HeftySmurf
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2008
Posts: 879
Location: Washington, USA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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Was uber fun- DUSTY AS ALL HELL THOUGH!
My interior has never been so dirty
This was prolly the most fun I've had in my syncro. Would love to do this again, some mud would make it even more fun and less dusty.
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-Lorenzo
90 GL w/ Bostig |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9616
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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Cool. This makes me happy. I wish I was there.
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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Corwyn
Samba Member
Joined: December 29, 2009
Posts: 2238
Location: Olympia, Washington
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| Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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Where are the pics of the hard stuff? What I see, I could do in my 2WD. Pictures!
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'90 White Westy ("The Longship")
FAS Gen V 2.0
The Annual Baja Rally
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604813&highlight=baja
"If anything's" gonna happen, it's gonna happen out there"
~ Captain Ron ~ |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9616
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 10:24 am Post subject: |
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| Corwyn wrote: |
| Where are the pics of the hard stuff? What I see, I could do in my 2WD. Pictures! |
I'm pretty sure a capable driver can do it in a 2WD westy. I bet the sections that a 2WD can't make (solo) add up to be a couple miles. The main concern is high clearance, and I bet the 2WD westy is high enough to do the WABDR. You'd have to know how to get a 2WD through the rough stuff. A locking differential (such as a Peloquin) would help. Daryl from AA Transaxle installed a Peloquin differential in my Syncro but lots of people are putting them in 2WDs because they work wonders for those who like to go off-road.
BUY the WABDR map and you can get a window decal too. Its a detailed waterproof WA MAP that shows the alternate routes around the hard stuff, and on the backside has navigable details for each section. And it's a great WA backroads map anyway (for the whole state not just the WABDR).
In defense of the photographers, the 'hard stuff' are some uphills of loose babyhead rocks, which are really not that interesting for photos. A Syncro just rolls up them like a normal road, but a 2WD would lose momentum and dig a hole, and stop. I bet a Syncro (or any 4WD with a granny) could tow a 2WD thru those short sections with ease.
I was part of the group that created it thus know the route pretty well. My favorite parts were Section 2, 3 and 4. Take note that the best part of Section 3 (Table Mountain) burned up last month (and is closed to entry). This is a SERIOUS FIRE and it's still burning vigorously! There is no rain in the forecast for the next 10 days  no way to stop the fires. Benson creek road in Section 5 is under fire closure too.
Here's a WABDR FIRE map image for Oct 7, 2012.
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb
Last edited by Sodo on Sun Oct 07, 2012 2:42 pm; edited 4 times in total |
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Racerrojo
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2006
Posts: 827
Location: ALBUQUERQUE 87120
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| Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 1:56 pm Post subject: Re: Syncros in Washington Backcountry Discovery Road - Secti |
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I would love to see more pictures of the interior on this rig
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Tight is tight... too tight is expensive!!!!
Too many vans and mostly all projects |
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Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9616
Location: Western WA
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| Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 2:11 pm Post subject: Re: Syncros in Washington Backcountry Discovery Road - Secti |
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| Racerrojo wrote: |
| I would love to see more pictures of the interior on this rig |
Lots of build details on their dasmule.com Website
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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shepherdsond
Samba Member
Joined: April 25, 2005
Posts: 439
Location: Bellingham, WA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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I hope the OP will not mind my adding information and photos from our excursion on the WABDR last weekend. Our group consisted of a Jeep Liberty, a Syncro Westy and my syncro hightop.
Starting in Portland we drove to Peterson Prairie CG http://goo.gl/maps/zIMeG near Troutlake. This is about half way through the first section of the WABDR from Stevenson to Packwood.
Next day we drove over gravel roads past great views of Mt. Adams passing Takhlakh Lake, a spectacular lake right under the West face of Mt Adams, great swimming but popular and with a large campground. Overall however the first section (the part that we did at least) is not that interesting from a driving perspective and most of the view points can be reached from a paved road.
We gassed and iced up in Packwood drove past the Whitepass ski area and Rimrock Lake and found great free camping by the Tieton River below the dam. The second section of the WABDR starts just East of here where it climbs up switch backs to stunning views of Mt Adams, Goat Rocks and Rainier on Bethel Ridge. Driving allong wooded Bethel ridge provided some entertainment as there are some deeply rutted sections, some of which can be by-passed through the trees. I had fun driving between two trees with inches to spare on either side of my hightop roof rack (should have removed it!).
We camped in the valley between Bethel Ridge and Umtanum ridge (good shade but no water). Next day we tackled the crux of the second section of the WABDR which is Umtanum Ridge. We were a little anxious as some adventure riders that we met the day before were skeptical that our Syncros could get up the steepest section and they in fact were planning to by-pass it. We figured they were probably underestimating the syncro but it added a touch of anticipation!
Steep loose gravel road leads to the ridge and then a final very steep short section of small loose rocks and a rock ledge leads to the summit. This is the steepest section when going South to North. The views from Umtanum ridge are no less spectacular than Bethel with good views of Adams, Goat Rocks, Rainier, Glacier and Stuart in the North Cascades together with the sage brush steppe and Ellensburg to the East.
The whole of the second section of the WABDR is a great trip with spectacular views, great camping and some moderately challenging/interesting driving. 4WD is definately needed but only for a few short sections or to get you out of trouble if you take the wrong line. In wet conditions however it could be quite a challenge I imagine.
Camping by the Tieton River:
Mt. Rainier between two Syncros:
Towards the end of Bethel Ridge:
Umtanum Ridge, Rainier off to the right:
Videos of Umtanum Ridge section:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtuuSw_RoIXZMeMcBlwFGJuKdBJKgtrBV
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87 Syncro Hightop Camper
3 knobs + solid shaft
2.2 Phase II Subaru
Hi-Top build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=534517
Last edited by shepherdsond on Wed Jul 24, 2013 7:44 am; edited 2 times in total |
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minsk
Samba Member
Joined: March 17, 2008
Posts: 899
Location: pittsburgh
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zippyslug31
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2007
Posts: 799
Location: Central Oregon
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| Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 7:56 am Post subject: |
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Sounds like a blast. Sure wish I knew cool people to do fun outtings like this.
Note to self: make more friends! 
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previous:
'80 westy
current:
'90 syncro westy 2.5L subi, triple knob, 16" wheels.
'84 sunroof van, 2.1L motor. |
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mrshrimp
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2013
Posts: 373
Location: Portland
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| Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Nice Vancandy! |
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Astro Guy
Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2008
Posts: 116
Location: Bellingham, Wa
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| Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 11:35 pm Post subject: |
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| zippyslug31 wrote: |
Sounds like a blast. Sure wish I knew cool people to do fun outtings like this.
Note to self: make more friends! |
http://nwoverland.org/ has a strong Portland contingent with a lot of Meet & Greets.
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'03 Chevy Astro w/ NP233C 4x4 electronic shift transfer case, 4-5" Overlandvans lift kit, 4:10's w/ Detroit Locker, Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks w/ in-dash remote & onboard air compressor, 255 70R16 AT's, GTRV pop top w/ sleeper, Carefree Awning, Guacho couch, Coleman Fridge, and tons of Thule |
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