Syncro Off-Road Abilities vs. Competition

[randywebb]

rather than a poll & argument about definitions, how about comparing the abilities of a Syncro to other vehicles

we've all seen the pics, the videos, etc. but (for example) can a Syncro complete the Rubicon Trail?

What common vehicles can it be compared to in mud, snow, sand? (things like a Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Land Cruiser, etc.)

I know some of you have extensive experience in various 4wd vehicles, so...
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[joseph928]

OK I have my syncro, ok it's no rock crawler, but the last time out my friend had a jeep wrangler 4 cylinder 5 speed big tires but no lockers. well we found a hard trail he got stuck had to pull him out boy was his face red. That said I also have a toyota v6 5 speed king cab lift big tires and detroit lockers, that will go every place the syncro can go and a few where the syncro would never go. But I can't sleep in the truck or cook, they both get the same mileage. Now with all that i'll take the syncro every time, more fun less filling!
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1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug.

[jackbombay]

[randywebb]

yes, let's assume it has a rear locker
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[SyncroGhia]

This is THE question and there really isn't an easy answer.

The reason for no easy answer is that these days, very few people run a completely stock Syncro T3. They're all raised, or have bigger wheels/tyres or have a more powerful engine etc.

In stock trim, the Syncro is fairly capable but you run into difficulties with overhangs and the front bumper gets hit just about everywhere.

Without a difflocks, they're fairly useless offroad.

With a rear locker and Mud Terrain tyres, you can get just about all places that a stock LandRover Defender will but there are places where you'll get stuck with your front bumper and lack of ground clearance where he'll get through and vica-versa. Having the difflock means that we don't need to have all 4 wheels on the ground where as he does just to keep traction.

I would happily compare it with any 4WD van/jeep etc up to about 2004 when Land Rover brought out the D3 with lots of electronics etc and I've seen these things go places I know that I can't with Limey. I'm not saying that Limey is better than other syncros but it's fairly jacked up, has more hp/torque than most and I'm not scared of bending it.

I don't know what the Rubicon Trail is but if it's a lot more serious than this (it's always worse than it looks on the vids!), I'd make sure that you're very well prepared!


Link


I got wedged between the bank and a rock on this pass and rather than break things, I gave up and decided to ask for help just before the beginning of this vid as I had both difflocks in, the right front wheel was up against the bank and the rears had dug a hole. This is the only time I wish I had had a winch on the van.

MG
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T3 Syncro 16 S6 Westfalia Limey SOLD
T3 Syncro 6x6 SOLD
T3 RS6 Bluestar
T3 Tristar Syncro 16 SOLD
T3 Tristar Syncro RHD SOLD

[snowsyncro]

Rubicon Trail...

http://www.rubicon-trail.com/

RonC

[SyncroGhia]

Ok I've just watched a vid on you tube about the Rubicon Trail.

That's fairly serious offroading.


Link


Would I attempt to take Limey on that? No.

Would I attempt it with a stock Syncro, you're havin' a laugh!

I wouldn't mind having a go in the Lightweight once it's built though but that'll be on 35" tyres.

MG
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T3 Syncro 16 S6 Westfalia Limey SOLD
T3 Syncro 6x6 SOLD
T3 RS6 Bluestar
T3 Tristar Syncro 16 SOLD
T3 Tristar Syncro RHD SOLD

[pigryder]

Ghia is that your vid??
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1982 Westfalia L Diesel "Stink"
1982 Vanagon GL Diesel "Charlie"
1983 Rabbit GTI a 20 year love affair
1988 Cabriolet diesel

[randywebb]

another idea is to compare a Syncro to a late model Subaru Forester - the best of the AWD compact SUVs
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[D Clymer]

[hans j]

It's going to depend on all sorts of conditions, but the driver has a lot to do with it too. I know the Discovery is quite off road capable and this Syncro in the video makes it look like silly, could be editing too though...


Link


There are lots of good videos of this section of road with all sorts of vehicles that have a hard time with it, just watch the related stuff
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1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

[joseph928]

OK we have talked about 4x4 lets talk about trails, Moab rim run my syncro did it well, my toyota did it good. Now lets talk about Moab and the golden spike trail my toyota went across the golden crack the first time, next year I tired to take my syncro on that trail. Well no go I had to be winched over it, and put in a few dents on it. Will I ever try that trail again in the syncro. NO! So I hope this area is familiar with all ,two of the greatest trails in Moab. ps. I don,t know if I would take either one of my vehicles on the rubicon trail. I like to go out and have fun, not go to the body shop. And isn't this what it is all about, lets all have fun, no matter what we drive , and try to bring it home in one peace!
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1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug.

[randywebb]

no, take the driver out - we are discussing vehicles only

so, the Syncro is in between a Sube Forester and a Jeep Wrangler... in all respects?? snow, mud?

what about a Jeep Grand Cherokee?

a 4wd Toyota Pickup?
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[D Clymer]

[jackbombay]

[D Clymer]

[seanjenn]

One of these days I'm sure I'll add a Syncro to my line up. I'm not a hater.
I'd love to have one for the mud season in N. NM and to drive in the snow.

I've had many 4x4s in the past which is what I was into before VWs.
For the sake of fareness to the Syncro I wouldn't compare any of my old 4x4s to any Syncro.
They are two different types of vehicles in my book.
While a built to the hilt Syncro is certainly a badass rig, I would never expect the same out of it, that I got out of my 72 Bronco or 73 CJ-5 or 76 Scout or my favorite, 87 Toyota 4x4, to name a few.

I wouldn't compare the Syncro to a car(Suby, any of 'em) or a Jeep SUV of any type either. The Jeep SUVs are shit and always have been, comparing one to a Yugo would be a travesty to the Yugo.

The Syncro is in it's own class.
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1987 GL Sunroof
2.1 4 spd

[IdahoDoug]

I'll be a dissenter on the Syncro's capabilities against a stock unlocked SUV. The achilles heel is a serious lack of suspension travel. For 5 years I was part of a group that regularly evaluated offroad vehicles for Toyota. We used Anza-Borrego and the Miller Jeep Trail for those in the area. Vehicles with lots of travel did better the worse the obstacles and worse the trail condition. Driving my 2wd syncro, feeling the suspension and watching the extreme syncro vids i get the clear impression these things are way stiff and noncompliant and the locker will counter it somewhat, but that is a very serious shortcoming for serious offroad work.
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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

[D Clymer]

[euromog]

I drove my syncro across the Golden crack without being winched or use of a tow rope 10 years ago. It did take several tries though. I also did Pritchet Canyon but did require a tow strap in several spots. Now that I have a solid shaft instead of a VC I would do it again in a heartbeat.