Syncro Vs 2wd

Post it here, if it doesn't fit any of the above.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
weegaz22
Registered user
Posts: 253
Joined: 12 May 2016, 21:30
80-90 Mem No: 15325
Location: Glasgow

Syncro Vs 2wd

Post by weegaz22 »

Ok, we all know the syncro's are king of the hill in the T25 world when it comes to going off road with having lockable diffs, but you do see T25 2wd's with syncro style off road/mud tyres and lift kits, so how limited are you off road when you do this to a 2wd? are you just able to clear some muddy paths or can you do some mild/medium/serious off roading/overlanding with careful planning and some recovery equipment like waffle boards, winches, tow ropes etc?
I realise your not going to be doing rock crawling, but just wondered how limited you are in actuality, as i have seen some "overland" type 25's that looked like it was a syncro then seen the 2wd sticker, is it just for looks or can you go off road without really worrying about getting stuck?
1989 LHD Westfalia Multivan 1.9TD AAZ

Dad
Registered user
Posts: 327
Joined: 23 Sep 2012, 19:27
80-90 Mem No: 11860
Location: Goring

Re: Syncro Vs 2wd

Post by Dad »

Off road tyres work wonders off road, 4wd with off road tyres is better.
1990 autosleeper trident 1.9 lpg

User avatar
itchyfeet
Registered user
Posts: 12427
Joined: 23 Jul 2007, 17:24
80-90 Mem No: 12733
Location: South Hampshire

Re: Syncro Vs 2wd

Post by itchyfeet »

Bottom line is once you have lost grip on one of your driven 2wd tyres that's it, you are not going anywhere.
So yes you can do lots with good clearance and tyres in a 2WD but its risky because step over the line and you are stuck.
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
itchylinks

Smosh
Registered user
Posts: 1607
Joined: 30 Aug 2013, 15:40
80-90 Mem No: 12801
Location: Guernsey, 1.9 Watercooled Petrol T25 pop-top

Re: Syncro Vs 2wd

Post by Smosh »

Can you get a lockable rear diff on a 2wd?
1984 Voltswagen 25 Pop-Top (No idea what type!?) 1.9 W/C Petrol based in Guernsey, C.I.

User avatar
Jim San
Registered user
Posts: 2203
Joined: 21 Jan 2014, 20:01
80-90 Mem No: 13133
Location: Wales / Shropshire border
Contact:

Re: Syncro Vs 2wd

Post by Jim San »

Not all Syncros have diff locks (but they do have 4WD).
A good set of AT tyres and a little lift on a 2WD and it'd be a lot of fun off road.

Plenty seem to be doing this just lately so hopefully some will be along to offer firs thand experience.
1991 (LHD) Syncro kombi 1.9MTDi 1Z (Landy fuel pump) 215/70/16
Life's to short to drink s@@t beer.
'Roads? We don't need roads where we're going'

User avatar
clift_d
Registered user
Posts: 3290
Joined: 04 Oct 2012, 23:51
80-90 Mem No: 11695
Location: Hackney innit

Re: Syncro Vs 2wd

Post by clift_d »

Bigger tyres and a bit of lift will help you quite a bit, but you'll probably need to some kind of diff lock to your gearbox to go the next stage - either a limited slip differential, a pelonquin, or a Syncro diff-lock.
Last edited by clift_d on 19 Jul 2016, 08:41, edited 1 time in total.
1988 LHD T25 1.6TD Westfalia Club Joker Hightop syncro

silverbullet
Trader
Posts: 16311
Joined: 08 Jun 2009, 09:51
80-90 Mem No: 6908
Location: Surrey Syncronaut #156
Contact:

Re: Syncro Vs 2wd

Post by silverbullet »

Dont forget the ZF lsd, as fitted to factory AAR transaxles (there are other codes, check out the data on vwt3.com)
Very sure footed on greasy wet tarmac, it has 40% torque balance so reasonably forgiving and tail-out antics are a rarity.

User avatar
Mr Bean
R.I.P.
Posts: 3532
Joined: 11 Jun 2008, 06:49
80-90 Mem No: 5485
Location: Hertfordshire

Re: Syncro Vs 2wd

Post by Mr Bean »

I personally have a bit of a downer on FWD for ordinary road use based largely on the KISS principle as for most practical purposes it does little to assist a sensible driver in the bulk of our UK driving conditions and simply adds diffs and complication to an already complicated and expensive engineering solution to convey often one and rarely more than four persons on flat Tarmac. Many FWD drivers know little about FWD other than it is supposed to be better, more safe and in any case is more fashionable. The same goes with so called Crossovers. Of course if you like driving off road in challenging conditions and can appreciate the multifarious and innovative engineering solutions to keeping all four wheels in simultaneous slip free traction under all conditions then that is a different matter. Syncro's and many of their more conventional brothers meet this requirement perfectly.
There have been situations however when accessing interesting and remote difficult to reach European destinations in my various camper vans, often towing a boat, where FWD would have eased my shattered nerves. I my latest van - a 2.1DJ WBX - has only one driven axle and notwithstanding the odd "adventure" I am happy with that. I have been tempted however to to carry a 12V winch, cable and hefty stake to enable a more confident approach to that tempting ideal spot for a pitch or perhaps a bit more security on steep slipways. Although... :|
CS
Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech.
"A quiet shy boy who took little part in games or sport"
88 High top 2.1 WBX

kevinthesyncro
Registered user
Posts: 6
Joined: 21 Oct 2009, 15:10

Re: Syncro Vs 2wd

Post by kevinthesyncro »

Hi Guys,

My first post on here although a long-time member from Western Australia, I now own and enjoy a raised, De-coupler and solid shaft modified syncro and its absolutely unstoppable on the beach, still have to deflate tires though.

My previous van was a 1980 A/C 2WD which I had lots of fun with and was surprisingly accomplished on the beach in most conditions except very soft sand and never got into a situation I couldn't self recover (no winch) but believe as a very good alternative, deflating tires, sand ladders and winch the 2WD T3 is a very capable vehicle.

I also have a friend with a 2ltr Bay with LSD and that bus gets everywhere, again with the right recovery gear.

I guess its down to driving skills and technique but if a syncro is financially not an option then get some deflators and compressor, sand ladders and winch and have a great time!!!!!

User avatar
Jetfitzmaurice
Registered user
Posts: 72
Joined: 07 Jun 2014, 17:09
80-90 Mem No: 13682
Location: Sidmouth, Devon

Re: Syncro Vs 2wd

Post by Jetfitzmaurice »

I have a 2wd doka with 15" merc steels, 215/75/15 BFG tyres and a locking diff fitted by Aidan, it's pretty damned good to be honest. Fair enough it won't do what a full blown syncro will but i've done quite a few green lanes and general mucking about in it and it's coped admirably. It's amazing the ground clearance 25s have even without lift springs and with mine not being a full fat camper I never felt the need. In short i'd highly recommend a locking diff in a 2wd, it transforms it. :D

hightop ratty
Trader
Posts: 290
Joined: 05 Oct 2012, 12:05
80-90 Mem No: 2717
Location: Port Talbot
Contact:

Re: Syncro Vs 2wd

Post by hightop ratty »

The 2wd tonk toy look is very "fashionable" in the VW scene at the moment - especially with a few kits now available.

It used to be fashionable to go as low as you could - now it's gone other way around.

I can see the appeal of both - if only i had enough money for both (I struggle with one at times), and an LT40 tonka toy 4wd is my lottery win van - the one I see at Busfest in the Avon hall displays each year is my ultimate van porn.

User avatar
Mr Bean
R.I.P.
Posts: 3532
Joined: 11 Jun 2008, 06:49
80-90 Mem No: 5485
Location: Hertfordshire

Re: Syncro Vs 2wd

Post by Mr Bean »

Wouldn't fancy it now but we used to go water skiing holidays to bream Sands near Weston Super Mare where the beach is very flat resulting in a long way to the water. Fearful of getting stranded recovering the boat I would use a 100 metre line from the trailer with a loop which would be slipped onto the tow ball as the van - a bedford CF - would be thrashed along the beach using the momentum to snatch the boat and trailer out of the soft sand.

Not a job for a crouded beach but very effective for 2WD vehicles. :ok
CS
Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech.
"A quiet shy boy who took little part in games or sport"
88 High top 2.1 WBX

Post Reply