Gday Murray
Well I think you and I better have a head to head I think on this ...
chew the fat so to speak, seeing as we both are in the same boat at the
moment.
I happen to agree with Joachim's view and summation in his reply to
Michael in post 1729 which puts me in the camp for a solid shaft and
decoupler setup. Says goodbye forever to replacing expensive VC's for
starters. Also means I no longer have to be worried sick 24/7 about
uneven tyre wear or running odd tyres. Go bush, bust a tyre, replace it
with the only oddball tyre available in the hicktown tyre shop and see
how you get on ... good luck.
I can't comment on what other people say about their perceived safety
priorities for constant 4WD potential to aid their control, all I can
say is that for the past 41 years since I got my licence, 2WD has been
just fine ... no problems, no at fault accidents. So for me, engaging
4WD only when I want it engaged is by far the best option. Marry that in
with a rear difflock and I'm yet to be convinced any other 4WD setup in
my Syncro is better for my circumstances.
Maybe if I drove the Syncro like a Formula 1, with lots of wheel spin
etc, it could be a different story.
I mean honestly ... to be a tad realistic, I'd say most of us Syncro
owners in Australia drive most of the time on a range of hard and loose
surfaces and taking into account the limitations of our vehicles (speed,
load, safety etc) driving within the speed limit, the weather conditions
at the time and practicing good defensive driving, 2WD is more than
adequate.
2WD is what our Syncros are doing most of the time anyway, especially
with a properly functioning VC. Then when those normal driving
conditions don't apply ... i.e., to avoid or get out of being stuck
somewhere or traversing loose or slippery or steep or difficult
surfaces, that's when I'll consider engaging 4WD and/or difflocks. Which
means for hard surfaces then ... wet or dry ... for me from my driving
experience, 2WD has been and is still ... just fine.
So I say ... hello solid shaft and decoupler and goodbye VC.
I've heard some people argue that without a VC, the vehicle can no
longer be called a Syncro. I say that is rubbish. From my experience,
especially on the 2007 Syncro Tour, the REAL heart and JOY of a Syncro
is centered around the "G" gear. Try being without it.
But by all means Murray, take in what everyone has to say on this topic
and come up with your own preferred position, based on your own needs. I
think I'd still like a chat with you though before you commit. Who
knows, you just might convince me otherwise. Cheers.
Ken
--- In
Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Murray Lee" <m.lee@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi Ken
>
> No, I haven't done anything yet either. My inclination as a 'purist'
is
> to get a new VC but I still need to get quotes etc... will let you
know
> when I do. Still, I can see the advantages of going decoupler too. I
was
> particularly interested to hear Les' comments about being able to get
> just as good fuel economy in constant 4wd. I guess my reservations
with
> the decoupler are that, if you are running in 2wd, you lose all the
> syncro advantages of having 4wd kick in on normal driving slipper
> surfaces automatically. However, if you were to drive largely in
> constant 4wd this would be overcome. Life is a compromise.
>
> Cheers Murray
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ken
> Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2007 7:26 PM
> To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: 1989 Trakka van on Ebay
>
>
>
>
> Gday Murray,
>
> No Murray I'm still 2wd and loving it at the moment .... I can use any
> combination of tyre and wheel size combinations and unequal tyre wear
> and different tread patterns and not give a toss ... it's great! I'm
> thinking that in the end, whatever I decide to do to get back the 4wd
> action, I'll want to retain this flexibility.
>
> So what about you Murray, have you decided on replacing your dead VC
> with a new one or what?
>
> Cheers.
>
> Ken
>
> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com> , "Murray Lee"
> m.lee@
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > You might be right about that ken, when it comes to a boot box, and
> you are traveling with two children, size does matter! BTW how are you
> going with your VC, done anything yet?
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com> on behalf of Ken
> > Sent: Fri 18/05/2007 1:40 PM
> > To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com>
> > Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: 1989 Trakka van on Ebay
> >
> >
> > mmmmmmmmmmmm ...... there you go ... well done Super sleuth Lee ....
> > lol
> >
> > methinks his box is bigger than your box Murray ...............
ouch!
> >
> > Cheers
> >
> > Ken
> >
> >
> > --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com> , "Murray Lee" m.lee@
> > wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Word is the front dif has been removed and its operating as 2wd.
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com> on behalf of
> syncrosity4now
> > > Sent: Thu 17/05/2007 10:19 PM
> > > To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re: 1989 Trakka van on Ebay
> > >
> > > Maybe previous owner thinks that a Trakka is what it is?
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia%40yahoogroups.com> , "Ken" unclekenz@
wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Gday ALL,
> > > >
> > > > On Ebay there is a 1989 T3 listed as a VW kombi camper for
$13500
> > from
> > > > Lalor, Vic. No mention anywhere that it's a Syncro but the pics
> > > > confirm that it is.
> > > >
> > > > Worth a look everyone .... interesting. GPS and CB on board.
Rear
> > box.
> > > >
> > > > If the ad doesn't mention it's a syncro, begs the queries then
> about
> > > > possible difflocks, decoupler etc.
> > > >
> > > > Link is ...
> > > > http://cgi.ebay.com.au/vw-kombi-
> <http://cgi.ebay.com.au/vw-kombi->
> > > >
> >
camper_W0QQitemZ220112121645QQihZ012QQcategoryZ136105QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewI
> > > > tem
> > > >
> > > > Cheers.
> > > >
> > > > Ken
> > > >
> > >
> >
>