Locker versus Syncro

[Wildthings]

I want to turn one of my vans over to my daughter who will be using it on a fair amount of rough dirt roads. I have a syncro which will need a small fortune to make road worthy and my 83 1/2 POS which I could have a locking rear axle put into and can otherwise be gotten into pretty good shape (excepting paint) for a few thousand more. Also have a later van with an auto that would need engine work and a locker assuming such can be had for an autobox.

Just interested in others thought and experiences as to which direction to head.

[hans j]

The automatic actually off roads really well. I'd say better than a 2wd non locker. As long as you have momentum or don't lift a wheel, you can get a lot of places with the auto.
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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

[MidwestDrifter]

I would spend the money on a good set of A/T tires and a portable air compressor before going the syncro route. For actual roads 4wd is not normally going to be needed unless deep mud, snow or sand are involved. Now trails and unmaintained forest service roads can be another matter. And even then driver skill and ground clearance are often limiting factors. This is my experience at least.
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2004 Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter (Custom Camper)
2000 Jetta TDI
1982 Diesel Westy W/ ABA I4 hybrid (Sold)
Epic Road Tripping since 08/05/12 | http://VagariesAbound.blogspot.com/
My Current Build | http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41215

[tjet]

I drove a 2wd van that had a Peloquin limited slip just installed. It drove great. You could really feel a difference. Apparently, they will tame crosswind gusts better than the standard open diff, along with the better off-road traction.
I want to put a Peloquin unit in my factory Syncro locker. I've been told you can run both - there's room.

http://www.peloquins.com/products_094.html

[Type17]

What kinda rough roads are we talking about here? Having driven a heavily modified Syncro and a bone stock 2wd with big tires on the same dry dirt roads and trails back to back at Syncrofest as well as exploring other trails and dirt roads in my 2wd, I don't believe a Syncro, locker, or LSD is necessary for dirt roads. A bone stock 2wd vanagon can get up anything that would be considered a "road" with nothing more than some aired down AT tires. If you are talking about trail obstacles, snow, mud, sand, large rocks/boulders, etc then that's another story.

ATMO

YMMV
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[IdahoDoug]

I'm with drifter. A good set of A/T tires on that automatic and it would be quite capable. I'd put a well sorted auto with good shocks and tires at the top of the "makes sense" list.

Doug
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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

[Merian]

#1 cause for disablement is tires

#2 is gnd. clearance

after that, you will want 4wd

I agree on use of the A/T - the only problem with an old vehicle is inability to push start it
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[MarkWard]

[Wildthings]

[0to60in6min]

a vid on 2WD off road.... as mentioned good AT tires and 12V air compressor...
I myself was surprised...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_-bNOyahWE

[syncrodoka]

[0to60in6min]

oppss... sorry


Link


but the other one is still surprising he?

[AKWesty]

When my van was stock, I got stuck......alot. Wet grass and slippery muddy grass would get me every time. I put the GW lift on it with AT tires and I felt I could go most anywhere, f you are sticking to logging roads and surfaces with grit. Good tires and clearance to navigate rough roads are all you need. I found my limits with the above when I introduced mud, muck, snow, and make your own road. Now with the Peloquin I have no issues. Yes I have had to pull out the come-a-long and even back my wheeler off the trailer to winch my van through some nasty. If you are sticking to 2-track gritty roads. Clearance and ATs are all you need as long as the grade stays below 15%ish. -Chad
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84' Westy 2wd
EJ22 - 4spd - Peloquin TBD
GW +1.5 Springs
215/70-16's

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[vanagonjr]

[0to60in6min]

2WD vanagon w. Peloquin going off road

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4AkiH-uTpg

[AKWesty]

[hans j]

I've seen a 2wd auto tackle a lot more than shown in the video!

And I'll have to find more. There was a thread about something similar last year?
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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

[syncrodoka]

[Merian]

MarkWard is right about a newer vehicle with ESC and ABS being a much safer vehicle for an inexperienced driver than any antique for a daily driver. And a good used Subaru would fit that well.

OTOH, we don't know how many years she has been driving, her texting habits, nor how many driver's ed. events she has taken at your local race track, autocrossing experience, rally driving, etc.


a critical issue not touched on yet is what happens to her if the antique vehicle dies in the outback

which van is more reliable? you've been around here for a long time, so I assume you know that answer, or can find out
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[hdenter]

If there is mud on these back roads, go for the LSD. I don't do any off road driving in my work van. However, there are a couple of driveways I frequent that have the kind of topsoil that turns to slick snot when it rains. With the weight I carry, if I just get half a tires width off the road base, I'm screwed. At least oncea year I have to get helped back onto the road.

Hans
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'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender