Driving stock 89 Westy to Warm Springs Valley in DVNP???

[Peter Kosho]

Some online sources say you should have 4WD but I have 16" wheels and have driven on dirt with no problems even to Usal beach on the Lost Coast. Any recommendations for driving style or route would be appreciated!

[4Gears4Tires]

You want to get risk getting stuck in Death Valley?

Do you have a locker in your 2WD van? Honestly, it's probably ok because conditions are dry and hard packed but if you're traveling alone with 2WD (really 1WD) in Death Valley, that's pretty high consequences for failure.
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'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition

[16CVs]

Check in with park rangers first. They advised 4WD and off road tires and at least one spare.

I had all that and picked up a rock that pierced my oil filter.

Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[kamzcab86]

[dabaron]

how much money is a rescue or vehicle recovery? i'm sure it's more then a Jeep rental.
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1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic

[16CVs]

I built it to use it, I will cure the problem with the oil filter and wait to see what happens next.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[E1]

Deleted.
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1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman

[dougnlina]

Are you talking about going to the Saline Valley Warm Springs (outside of DVNP) or to Warm Spring (via Anvil Spring Canyon)? Warm spring via Anvil canyon is not that bad, or it wasn't four years ago (DV roads change yearly with the rains)
I have had my van as far in as Striped Butte Valley if the later. I have a syncro but there was nothing that a standard van with a TBD and clearance could not do, mechanically anyway, doing Mengal pass is another story altogether.. Have Good tires and a good full sized spare (or two) as you will be driving over skull sized rocks with razor edges.
I probably would not do it again, but I was fascinated by the story of the Germans who disappeared out there and wanted to check it out. (See: https://www.otherhand.org/home-page/search-and-rescue/the-hunt-for-the-death-valley-germans/)
Be aware that if you are going solo and you break down, that it will probably cost 5 figures to get your rig pulled out of there. On top of that there is no cell coverage, and as DV is Military Operations Area, less private aircraft activity, so communication via VFR radio is spotty.
I was out there in November so heat was not an issue but it I would not do it in the summer heat. Certainly if you do this go in eyes wide open realizing that you are on your own, your rig needs to be in top notch condition, you need to plan for breakdowns, repairs, extractions, extreme heat, long term survival contingencies. Its named Death Valley for a reason.
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"Grover" a '87 Syncro Poptop 1.8T
"Olive" a '60 Ragtop Beetle (retired)

[E1]

Deleted.
_________________
1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman

[dobryan]

Sage advice from those above. Take heed.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru EJ25 (Vanaru) and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[MarkWard]

I would just ignore the warnings. Why does my Home Depot bucket have a drowning warning? Warnings are just busy work for people who write warnings. Death Valley, 40 year old vehicle, what could possibly go wrong?

I’d run it by AI.

[Shonandb]

6 out of 10 times you'll be fine but have you ever had to spend 16 hours in temps above 105F or in temps up to 115F for extended periods of time? If you decide to go, invest in a sat phone and over prepare. Extreme heat can be oppressive and affect your judgement. Good luck!
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76 Westy with a 2.5L Subaru SOHC + Vanagon (010) Automatic Transaxle
Build & Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=758760
Previous 1973 Panel Bus:
Click to view image

[dodger tom]

i’ve driven a ‘62 split and a ‘69 bay to death valley, and went off pavement in both. course the reduction gears in the split helped. never been to warm springs though, so i can’t comment.

i will comment on timing. i wouldn’t drive a brand new range rover to death valley until november.
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1978 Champaign Edition 2 Westfalia
Would never find the time to keep up another classic air-cooled.

[E1]

Seems this brand-new poster with three inane threads as their first three posts can’t be bothered to spend ten seconds telling us their trip isn’t until NOVEMBER.

How did any of us ever travel before the web?
_________________
1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman

[shadetreemech]

[E1]

Many posts above presumed we were discussing traveling in summer, because we’re in summer.

When asking total strangers for help, it’s perfectly reasonable to spend a few precious seconds in being clear what you’re asking to not *waste people’s time and good intentions*. I am far from alone here in pointing this out.

I spent an hour posting above based on what was asked. Did you?

It’s not my fault that people have forgotten how to communicate, how to be gracious, nor how to do much of anything for themselves. Excusing any of that just makes the snowball grow.
_________________
1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman

[zerotofifty]

I have had lots of fun in my Van, 2 wd in Death Valley on off road tracks. I have street tires, but they are oversized and have a minor lift via gas assist shocks. The vans have great traction, and good clearance.
I got her to trail heads where only 4wd trucks and Jeeps parked, folks thought I had 4wd.
The key is a good knowledgeable spotter for the difficult spots, air down your tires, YOU MUST air down your tires for traction, thus you need a pump to put them back to highway pressure. You may need to deflate to at least half pressure, or maybe even less. Deflating will greatly improve traction, and on graded trails with washboard bumps, will keep you from vibrating you van to pieces, it makes a HUGE difference High tire pressure is you enemy when off road.
Make sure you have valve stem caps, and a few spares also have a tire plug kit, and some spare valve stem valves and the tool to insert them. The caps are critical for keeping dirt out of the valve. You need a pressure gage too.
I recommend an air compressor, and have a back up hand pump, a bike hand pump will be very slow, maybe 200 pump strokes or more per tire, but it is better than nothing if your compressor poops out on you. ALWAYS reinflate for highway speeds.

Have some boards or similar soft ground aid, and a shovel and gloves so you can where needed build up the trail to help you clear tough spots. Know how to pick a good track. Stick to well traveled trails if you are going single vehicle, dont go off on a very deserted trail on your own. Carry LOTS OF WATER this time of year. Folks have gotten stuck and DIED out there do to lack of water. Id consider at least 5 gallons per person as a reserve, you may go through well over a gallon per person per day just to stay alive. And this is for a high traffic trail.

You will find you will get very poor MPG when off roading, you may only get 1/3 or less of normal MPG, so plan for VERY high fuel burn, suggest carry gas cans, as there are few gas stations out there. A full tank may only get you 60 miles if it is a really rough trail, slow going, lots of idling, all in first gear.

Have a first aid kit and understand how to use it.

Cell phone coverage is NOT existent in much of this area, plan accordingly

Have some spare parts, consider some radiator hose and clamps that can be used to splice a busted main coolant pipe.
Make sure she is tuned up, spare oil, belts, and such. make sure your CVs are good, no torn boots and such

Have a board to be placed under the jack for use on soft or unlevel ground, else you may not be able to change a tire on soft sand.

The Van will test your skills, it can be fun and very rewarding.
I usually go in the winter, nice 70F days, freezing cold nights.

The park lodge has a nice shower and a huge hot spring fed swimming pool, always a nice place, I think it is about 8 bucks for use of the pool and showers, take advantage of that

Watch some YouTube channels for off roading advice on how to pick good tracks over obstacles. There are many on this subject. Having a good spotter is key, the spotter MUST also watch those videos so the spotter understands how to pick the right track for each tire.


The Van is one of the more capable 2wd vehicles, but dont go crazy.

A mans got to know his limitations, so dont go trying the most extreme stuff unless you have a well equipped Jeep.

Some of the mines are really cool to go into in the Panamint area also.

The Defense Mine is a real gem, three levels, with a 300 foot vertical shaft accessed by a rickety wooden ladder. For the mines, watch your footing always, wear a N95 mask, as their is rat and bat poop, usually near the entrances, and lots of dust. Leather gloves recommended and lots of flash lights and/or spare batteries, water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SENg8nYIy7o

I have driven my Van to the defense mine, but had to stop short of it in the Van and hike, my jeep makes it a lot further.
The Talc mine, the Pink Elephant are a bit easier to drive to.


Oh, and the Trona Pinnacles is very cool place to visit, even camp at, it is an EASY off road trail to get to it, very out of this world rock formations. Used as a movie set for StarTrek, Lost in Space and other TV shows and movies. Highly recommend it

https://www.wideopenspaces.com/trona-pinnacles/






Have fun
_________________
Sorry About That Chief.

Give Peace a Chance.

Words to live by.

[zerotofifty]

Here is a nice video


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7PL4h0Bf7I

Vanagon off road in Death Valley BUT 4wd

Do a search on the Youtube for VW vans in Death Valley, there are some 2wd videos too.
_________________
Sorry About That Chief.

Give Peace a Chance.

Words to live by.

[zerotofifty]

Another thing. DUST. Have fresh airfilter. And some dust out there is corrosive. Like powdered salt. So wash the van well even the engine when done

Oh assuming you have on open differential. If you do get a tire off the ground with one tire, or end ip in soft tractionless sand in the back, then You lost all drive, cause of the open diff. But you can use the parking brake to provide drag on the free spinning wheel to allow the other wheel to drive. Youtube has videos on this technique
_________________
Sorry About That Chief.

Give Peace a Chance.

Words to live by.