Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2006 13:37:28 -0800
Reply-To: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Recent Upgrade Experience (wheels/tires/transaxle)
In-Reply-To: <b86178850612151252v2b45a4aam593d95c2e7609d5d@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Curious about the photo:
http://tims.homeunix.net:8080/~tims/gallery/VW/syncroB_W
What is the setup for your hatch-mounted bike rack?
Looks like a combination of Yakima and something else.
Details, and maybe a closeup? Thanks!
Stephen
--- honemastert <honemastert@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Background:
> =========
> On the way out to Joshua Tree NP for a weekend of
> climbing/camping
> with the family we lost 4th gear on the Syncro.
> After the long (slow)
> drive back to the Phx area in third gear, I decided
> that it was time
> to move to the next stage of 'upgrades' to the
> Syncro Westy. (hey
> it's only worth $6000 so WTF!? ;-)
>
> Shipped the van out to GoWesty to have the van
> regeared to match the
> setup that this van has (for the most part)
>
> http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=103
>
> Drew the line at the front locking diff, so I'm
> still not a member of
> the "3 knob club" maybe sometime in the future I
> suppose...
>
> Photo Here:
> =========
>
http://tims.homeunix.net:8080/~tims/gallery/VW/syncroB_W
>
> <Missed this years photo contest.. oh well.. save it
> for next year>
>
>
> Re: 16" Rims/Tires:
> --------------------
> These rims are a better match for the BFG's than the
> ones I
> had on there, more from a cosmetic standpoint than
> anything.
> They were able to sell the old rims to another
> buyer, and credit
> me the difference, cool! Gained another 1.5" in
> ground clearance
> compared to the previous wheel/tire set that I had
> on there.
>
> Re: Transaxle re-gearing
> -------------------------
> With the new gearing, I can cruise at 70Mph now,
> right at the
> sweet spot for the 2.4L engine with the RPM's at
> 3600
>
> Gas mileage was consistently higher all the way back
> home by
> 2-3mpg, and the top end is easily 10mph faster than
> it was
> with the stock gearing.
>
> Also gave up the hope of keeping the van R-12 and
> converted
> that over at the same time. The last freon charge
> had lasted
> approx 1.5 years. Unfortunately in Az. A/C is not
> an option!
> At least it's 134 now so I can refill at will.
>
> Anyways, extremely pleased with the changes in
> gearing/wheels/tires
> on the van.
>
> Not inexpensive by *any* means, but nothing about
> keeping a
> Syncro westy in top running shape is.
>
> No affiliation with GoWesty, just a satisfied
> customer.
>
> -tim
>
>
> 90 Syncro Westy
> Mesa, AZ
>
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