| Author |
Message |
1vw4x4
Banned
Joined: June 22, 2005
Posts: 472
Location: Pgh. PA
|
 Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 8:58 pm Post subject: No front Diff. in a Syncro |
 |
|
I think I just build the worlds first 2 wheel drive Syncro. I've been driving one of my syncros now for about 2 weeks with no front diff. installed.
Completely removed. Man this should have been the way these things were originally built. Much more nimble. Handles much better. I bet it goes better in the snow than a normal 2 WD Vanagon. Gives the feel of an old bus when driving. I like this a lot. No the speedo is not working, but I've got plan for that! Took a 60 miles trip today and I bet the fuel mileage has even improved. I should have done this ten years ago when I came  up with this idea. No the front wheel bearings are not falling apart. I have a little trick that fixed this to! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
0to60in6min
Samba Member
Joined: November 27, 2006
Posts: 3417
Location: OR & CA (Oregon/California)
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 9:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
a decoupler?
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
levi
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2005
Posts: 5522
Location: Las Vegas
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Revolutionary
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way
https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:32 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| What did you do for the axles? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
photogdave
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004
Posts: 3053
Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
syncropatrick
Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2009
Posts: 90
Location: UK, southwest
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 5:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
Urgh, been running mine without propshaft and front driveshafts for about 500 miles after a front CV went pop on a roadtrip and I couldnt replace it. The understeer is terrible, but it is quieter with less parts rotating.
Can't wait to get it 4wd again. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Waldi
Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2014
Posts: 1752
Location: Germany
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 5:29 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Steve M. wrote: |
| What did you do for the axles? |
Demounting the driveshaft. Puting only the end into the axle.
The driving is the same like with decoupler. Just 60 kg less weight. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
1vw4x4
Banned
Joined: June 22, 2005
Posts: 472
Location: Pgh. PA
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 5:31 am Post subject: |
|
|
Oh..... and you make another very good point. MUCH quieter. Although
my front diff. mounts had rusted so badly I think that was the cause of
the noise. A friend has a 2WD transaxle in his Syncro, and its quieter.
Installation of a 2WD transaxle may be my next move. MY recent 60 mile
trip the upper control arm bushings were driving me nuts. Before I removed
the Diff.  I couldn't hear them as highway speeds.
| syncropatrick wrote: |
Urgh, been running mine without propshaft and front driveshafts for about 500 miles after a front CV went pop on a roadtrip and I couldnt replace it. The understeer is terrible, but it is quieter with less parts rotating.
Can't wait to get it 4wd again. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 6:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
| A Syncro less Syncro is like clapping with one hand. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Waldi
Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2014
Posts: 1752
Location: Germany
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 6:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
| 1vw4x4 wrote: |
Oh..... and you make another very good point. MUCH quieter. Although
my front diff. mounts had rusted so badly I think that was the cause of
the noise. A friend has a 2WD transaxle in his Syncro, and its quieter.
Installation of a 2WD transaxle may be my next move. MY recent 60 mile
trip the upper control arm bushings were driving me nuts. Before I removed
the Diff. I couldn't hear them as highway speeds.
| syncropatrick wrote: |
Urgh, been running mine without propshaft and front driveshafts for about 500 miles after a front CV went pop on a roadtrip and I couldnt replace it. The understeer is terrible, but it is quieter with less parts rotating.
Can't wait to get it 4wd again. |
|
Sell ur syncro and buy a 2-wd with a 40% difflock. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9810
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 6:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
| insyncro wrote: |
| A Syncro less Syncro is like clapping with one hand. |
Or getting your gold medal bronzed.
I don't get it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 6:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Ahwahnee wrote: |
| I don't get it. |
Me neither.
And he is proud of it.
Must be the water in the Pitt area  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
1vw4x4
Banned
Joined: June 22, 2005
Posts: 472
Location: Pgh. PA
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 6:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
Figures you youngsters wouldn't have a clue. The people who race 4x4
trucks get it. Go look at the setups they use. Look at the angle the trucks
sits at. All the weight is shifted to the rear, for both traction and control,
just like an old bug. The 2WD vanagon suck becasue of the weight distribution
mainly. Having a Syncro with a lot less weight in the front, is just like an
old bug. I'm sure this setup will get much better traction than a 2Wd Vanagon.
With a little more shifting of weight I believe this is the way the vanagon
should have been built.
Now, for the interesting part. In todays world a lot of lawyers get wind that
the loads front to rear is unbalanced and start suing everyone. This happened to .... I think it was Honda, with the front wheel drive cars. No
dough that this is why all cars today are almost balanced 50/50 front to rear.
| insyncro wrote: |
| A Syncro less Syncro is like clapping with one hand. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Waldi
Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2014
Posts: 1752
Location: Germany
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 7:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
| 1vw4x4 wrote: |
Figures you youngsters wouldn't have a clue. The people who race 4x4
trucks get it. Go look at the setups they use. Look at the angle the trucks
sits at. All the weight is shifted to the rear, for both traction and control,
just like an old bug. The 2WD vanagon suck becasue of the weight distribution
mainly. Having a Syncro with a lot less weight in the front, is just like an
old bug. I'm sure this setup will get much better traction than a 2Wd Vanagon.
With a little more shifting of weight I believe this is the way the vanagon
should have been built.
Now, for the interesting part. In todays world a lot of lawyers get wind that
the loads front to rear is unbalanced and start suing everyone. This happened to .... I think it was Honda, with the front wheel drive cars. No
dough that this is why all cars today are almost balanced 50/50 front to rear.
| insyncro wrote: |
| A Syncro less Syncro is like clapping with one hand. |
|
Why do u think the 60 less in the front in a syncro makes it better than a 2wd ? Ok the syncro gearbox has 10 kg more but u want put in a 2wd.
Sorry, i am shaking the heat too.
Another 4x4 car drivers would be happy to have the weight and balance of a syncro. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 7:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
Eric is an "oldtimer" Syncro Guy obviously.
His lightened 2wd ex Syncro would be embarrassed by one fully intact stock Syncro and completely blown away by one with an engine conversion, upgraded brakes and suspension.
Trophy Trucks and Baja racers are governed by rules put in by the sanctioning bodies involved with racing.
The designs of the trucks would be much different if they were allowed to be. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
1vw4x4
Banned
Joined: June 22, 2005
Posts: 472
Location: Pgh. PA
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 7:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
Well most people here have it all wrong ... you don't need more...
you need to use less. In my case I have several Syncros. To many to
maintain with a full time job and several other cars, and homes. This syncro is done. Rusted out. I always wanted a simple vanagon
like a 2WD but the traction of an old bug. This is the only way to get it
without all the complications of 4WD. (typical american mentality ) MORE, MORE, MORE....
I will say it again: You don't need MORE... you need to use less!
As the matter of fact Syncros are just useless toys at this stage of the game. ITs a lot cheaper, if you really think you need a 4x4 to go rent
one for a few weeks or a mouth, rather then all the money people waste on these vanagons. Sure is it fun but that's it!
| Waldi wrote: |
| 1vw4x4 wrote: |
Figures you youngsters wouldn't have a clue. The people who race 4x4
trucks get it. Go look at the setups they use. Look at the angle the trucks
sits at. All the weight is shifted to the rear, for both traction and control,
just like an old bug. The 2WD vanagon suck becasue of the weight distribution
mainly. Having a Syncro with a lot less weight in the front, is just like an
old bug. I'm sure this setup will get much better traction than a 2Wd Vanagon.
With a little more shifting of weight I believe this is the way the vanagon
should have been built.
Now, for the interesting part. In todays world a lot of lawyers get wind that
the loads front to rear is unbalanced and start suing everyone. This happened to .... I think it was Honda, with the front wheel drive cars. No
dough that this is why all cars today are almost balanced 50/50 front to rear.
| insyncro wrote: |
| A Syncro less Syncro is like clapping with one hand. |
|
Why do u think the 60 less in the front in a syncro makes it better than a 2wd ? Ok the syncro gearbox has 10 kg more but u want put in a 2wd.
Sorry, i am shaking the heat too.
Another 4x4 car drivers would be happy to have the weight and balance of a syncro. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Waldi
Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2014
Posts: 1752
Location: Germany
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 7:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
| insyncro wrote: |
Eric is an "oldtimer" Syncro Guy obviously.
His lightened 2wd ex Syncro would be embarrassed by one fully intact stock Syncro and completely blown away by one with an engine conversion, upgraded brakes and suspension.
Trophy Trucks and Baja racers are governed by rules put in by the sanctioning bodies involved with racing.
The designs of the trucks would be much different if they were allowed to be. |
Hey no offense against oldtimers. A old bus driver is called hippo.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 7:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
No offense intended to old bus drivers, but those removing Syncro driveline parts because they can't afford to maintain the van, and thinking that others will follow along is very funny.
Those that have and use Syncro vans "need" them, those that do not usually hem and haw over the price to purchase and maintain that model of van.
$yncro |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Waldi
Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2014
Posts: 1752
Location: Germany
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 7:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hey, here i am totaly with u.
I was driving also some time without front diff and driveshafts.
But not for better turning or better weight balance.
It was because i was feeling like, hey im driving next 6 somer month only highway and i spend half liter less plantoil per 100km.
If you dont need 4-wd it is nothing against what u do. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 8:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
Yup Eric, I have no clue what a Syncro looks like. 
Come on Dude, give it a rest.
If you care to see what they look like, feel free to check my threads, all of my social media and if you have the balls, drop by my shop some time for a lesson on how to keep them intact  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
