How are Syncros in the snow?!? Tell me your stories!!

[jkidd152]

My anecdotal story:
A couple years ago, an afternoon snow storm hit and the school buses were unable to get to the school in order to bring the kids home. I drove my van through an absolute mess of stuck or stranded vehicles to get to the school. It was fun ignoring typical traffic patterns, and the syncro never slipped. All the kids were waiting in the gym. I rescued my 2 and the neighbors kids.
It was the Great Syncro Rescue of 2016.

Anyway, the syncro with the VC is a great AWD vehicle but having decent tires and knowing how to drive in inclement weather are paramount.

Did I mention I love my van?
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'85 Syncro Westy

[0to60in6min]

is it correct to assume that you have 2 gas tanks?
and what tire brans/type are you using?

thanks

[jkidd152]

[flomulgator]

[raoul mitgong]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5et-agrs3Qo

Stock VC, unlocked diffs, Nokian WRC tires. Many times I've driven around cars on the highway like it was a slalom course. Tires make a big difference.
-d
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84 Westy with a 2.1 (Groover)
86 Tintop Syncro (Crow)
86 Tintop Syncro to Westy project (Tom Servo)
91 Westy (Only the top 12 inches of this van (a burn victim))

[joetiger]

Mine has a stock VC, ZF Limited Slip, and Cooper Discoverer AT's that have been siped. It is, thus far, unstoppable in snow. Even the "Bomb Cyclone" thing last winter in Denver which featured a head wind that actually pushed my wiper arms down to grill level. I was the only vehicle on the road during the height of the storm and the van tracked really well.

With the little bit of give that slick/soft surfaces provide, the drive line is actually quieter and smoother. I love it.

It's probably worth noting that I don't drive like an a-hole and allow a lot of space for braking...

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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[joetiger]

[Syncro Jael]

Worth all the money you can spend! My son was working at Breckenridge Resort, sleeping in his van, and an overnight storm did this. They heard the plows go by and decided they better see what was going on. His girl friend, now wife, filmed him driving out from the camp spot.


Link

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1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)

[Syncro Jael]

[quote="joetiger"]

[Syncro Jael]

But there are always adventures in the snow!

_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)

[joetiger]

[AllRad]

[jkidd152]

[0to60in6min]

on my Syncro the shift rod is inside a tube about 5" diameter and 5ft long front to back.. I am not sure it's OEM or not... but I'd think it's easy to add.
no problem with accumulated and frozen solid snow.

[big swifty]

I live in Vermont and I'm a firm believer is dedicated winter tires. I don't want to start a debate about studs vs non-studded but I REALLY like studs. I have owned a 4WD suburban, Audi Quattro's, a BMW 325ix and of course the Syncro. Studded snows for all of them. The Syncro and the BMW are by far, the best out of all of them. Of course speed kills in crappy conditions...you have to drive intelligently.
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Evan
1987 Vanagon Syncro // Westfalia pop-top graft // Factory new ALH. 11mm IP. AFN 110 RC 2,3,4 // S7 turbo// Titan P502's
2013 Golf 4d TDI. No mods. Yet.
[1991 Jetta coupe TD. Giles Superpump. Custom tall 5 speed. SOLD

[4Gears4Tires]

^ YES! The 325ix! I have two. They are absolute beasts in the snow with center and rear viscous LSDs. I have stopped on steep snow and ice covered hills, clutch dropped at redline, and scooted up the hill. Having 3 tires locked down with LSDs makes for a lot of fun driving in adverse conditions. Appropriate tires are a must of course.


Link

[campism]

Is that a Eurovan at 1:24?
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic

[newerwesty1987]

[SyncroChrick]

Syncro in the snow are awesome. But remember it's all about the tires. In Quebec (where I am from), it is mandatory from Dec 1st to March 15th.


A University of Michigan 2016 study entitled "Ten Surprising Findings About Winter Tires: It Is Not Just About Snow" helped break down what winter tires really do. The ten findings?


-The main benefit of winter tires is improved tire adhesion, braking and cornering performance — not acceleration, though it helps there, too.

-Winter tires provide improved traction on roads below 7°C (45°F) even when snow and ice are not present.

-Stopping distances for winter tires on packed snow are approximately 35 per cent shorter than for all-season tires; and 50 per cent shorter than for summer tires.

-Winter tire improvements in stopping distance also extend to improvements in cornering capability.

-Tires designated as “mud” and “snow” tires do not necessarily perform well on packed snow and ice. Tires without the 3PMSF symbol were found to require 40 per cent longer stopping distances than similar tires with the symbol.

-Tires with aggressive treads will not necessarily perform well in slippery winter conditions unless they have the 3PMSF symbol.

-In Canada, during the winter period from December to February, there is a reported 49-per-cent increase in insurance claims. Much of this elevated risk is attributable to slippery road conditions in winter. Winter tires reduce crash frequency during winter months.

-A two-wheel-drive vehicle with winter tires will outperform a four-wheel-drive vehicle with all-season tires in braking and cornering. The perception that four-wheel-drive vehicles do not require winter tires in cold climates is false.

-Crash-avoidance technologies such as electronic stability control depend on tire adhesion to function. Winter tires are becoming increasingly important rather than less important as vehicle technology matures.

-It is imperative winter tires be fitted to all four wheels and not just the driven wheels of a two-wheel-drive vehicle.

[jlrftype7]