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Wed Apr 07, 2010 12:06 pm

I don't know who has it in stock now.
Does anyone know? Can it be made at home for temporary use? I ve never seen the switch in person... :(

Wed Apr 07, 2010 12:15 pm

Which part of the switch are you looking for?

Wed Apr 07, 2010 12:58 pm

I am looking for the switch on dash that you pull(or push?) it to engage the locker.
I have a 2wd and considering a 2wd tranny with locker installed. I need to come up with the dash switch to engage it. Can the vacuum hose be found from a hardware store? Thanks

Wed Apr 07, 2010 1:06 pm

hold on to your wallet...

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_1158_1240/vacuum_manifold_locker_switch.html

Wed Apr 07, 2010 1:15 pm

Ouch $80.

There MUST be a better way!

Those amply abundant VAG cruise control vacuum pumps comes to mind there, me thinks for some reason.....

Wed Apr 07, 2010 1:20 pm

So.. what s missing from van-cafe's switch is just the plastic handle?
Can hose be purchased from a hardware store? one of those clear air hose? What are those three legs for?

Wed Apr 07, 2010 2:27 pm

i bet other vw switch knobs may fit, maybe older bug/bus knobs?

are you coming to syncro de mayo? maybe you can find a whole assembly there used? or are you trying to get it done for syncro de mayo :)

i'd call van cafe and ask, they are very nice, maybe they have some used ones laying around.

Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:10 pm

vwlovr wrote: i bet other vw switch knobs may fit, maybe older bug/bus knobs?

are you coming to syncro de mayo? maybe you can find a whole assembly there used? or are you trying to get it done for syncro de mayo :)

i'd call van cafe and ask, they are very nice, maybe they have some used ones laying around.

If I can have my tranny rebuilt with locker and possibly with LSD before SDM, I would love to stop by and test what 2wd with locker can do by following around where syncros go :lol:

Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:25 pm

The switch is only one part of the puzzle. The panel and the wiring /air plumbing are needed too. It is best to find someone parting out a syncro and buy the whole panel.
The knob is the same as a headlight switch knob from a type 3(fastback/squareback/notchback) or Ghia.
I'll go on a trail ride with you. :lol:

Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:38 pm

syncrodoka wrote: The switch is only one part of the puzzle. The panel and the wiring /air plumbing are needed too. It is best to find someone parting out a syncro and buy the whole panel.
The knob is the same as a headlight switch knob from a type 3(fastback/squareback/notchback) or Ghia.
I'll go on a trail ride with you. :lol:

I am aware of the air plumbing. What is the wiring for?
Is panel necessary since I will only have one switch for rear locker? I was thinking about drilling a hole someplace and mount the switch...
If I can find the whole thing that will be great!

Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:41 pm

If you find someone with a full set up I need the plastic front panel preferably in brown.

Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:43 pm

The wiring is for the back lighting in the panel so you can see the switch to use it at night as well as a indicator light to tell you that you are locked up. You don't want to drive on asphalt locked up.
I suppose that you could drill a hole and mount it somewhere, but the panel would look a lot cleaner.

Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:56 pm

Can you feel when the locker is being engaged and disengaged?

Wed Apr 07, 2010 4:02 pm

Feel the van driving locked or unlocked? Yes
When locked it doesn't want to turn and will hop and squeal the tires in turns. Making the car foolproof for someone that might drive it other than you is nice(saving you $$ on a broken part)

Wed Apr 07, 2010 4:12 pm

Quote: Can you feel when the locker is being engaged and disengaged?

Yes but you probably want the indicator light as well. I think its pretty simple to pull two wires from the diff lock switch up to the dash to a relay to trigger a light. Actually I don't think you need a relay as you can run 12V down one leg and the switch would complete the circuit to a 12V lamp when locked.

Wed Apr 07, 2010 4:23 pm

Orbitald wrote: Quote: Can you feel when the locker is being engaged and disengaged?

Yes but you probably want the indicator light as well. I think its pretty simple to pull two wires from the diff lock switch up to the dash to a relay to trigger a light. Actually I don't think you need a relay as you can run 12V down one leg and the switch would complete the circuit to a 12V lamp when locked.

yeah that's right, it's like the reverse light switch. making a light would be easy. if diff lock panels were easy to come by i'd say get one, but for a 2wd with a locker, i probably wouldn't bother. i have a rear locker and disconnect and that one empty switch position drives me nuts. having two empty ones would really bug me :)

Wed Apr 07, 2010 7:58 pm

Actually, for an indicator light you only need to run one wire to the back, and let the locker switch ground the light circuit there.

I got one of the OEM "switches" (it's a valve) from VC, but I can see other ways to throw the locker rod, I may not use it. Or I may keep it nearer the servo and work it with a solenoid instead, so the vacuum system is all right near the engine. I would always rather run wire than pipe, if you know what I mean. But then, I could just work the locker directly with a solenoid. Hmmmm. Never been a big fan of big vacuum systems.

The freshly-rebuilt-by-Daryl tranny's been riding the jack for awhile now, from place to place, I'm too busy to stuff it, no engine for it anyway (unless i transplant my daily) and the Syncro tank straps have to be repaired first.

Wed Apr 07, 2010 8:06 pm

10cent has no engine? The cobbler's barefoot! The butcher's a vegetarian!...

Wed Apr 07, 2010 8:39 pm

tencentlife wrote: Actually, for an indicator light you only need to run one wire to the back, and let the locker switch ground the light circuit there.

I got one of the OEM "switches" (it's a valve) from VC, but I can see other ways to throw the locker rod, I may not use it. Or I may keep it nearer the servo and work it with a solenoid instead, so the vacuum system is all right near the engine. I would always rather run wire than pipe, if you know what I mean. But then, I could just work the locker directly with a solenoid. Hmmmm. Never been a big fan of big vacuum systems.

The freshly-rebuilt-by-Daryl tranny's been riding the jack for awhile now, from place to place, I'm too busy to stuff it, no engine for it anyway (unless i transplant my daily) and the Syncro tank straps have to be repaired first.

:? I wish it were mine

Wed Apr 07, 2010 8:52 pm

Ok, did search but...
Can someone post a photo where locker panel is mounted on dash? I would like to see how it looks. thanks