John,

Would be interesting to hear what you think of the '84 opposed to the '80 off
road. I still contend that the slight gearing difference makes a huge
difference in the off road traction of these beasts.

Peace - donna
'84 Westy (Pepe)

John Andrew wrote:

> I would have to say my old 1969 Westy was hands down a better off roader
> than my 1980 Westy.  Higher clearance, better traction, and much better
> gearing.  I think the lighter weight had a bit to do with it too.  Can not
> say yet how the 1984 will be.
>
> John Andrew 1984 Westy
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Reynolds <kayakjr@juno.com>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Date: Thursday, August 03, 2000 7:14 PM
> Subject: Re: off road in a Vanagon Was Tries
>
> >---SNIP---
> >>I'd be really interested to know about any successes with tires as
> >>relates to off-pavement traction improvements.  Being an old
> >>breadloaf air-cooled ex-owner, I have to say I'm quite amazed with
> >>just how poor the 2WD vanagon performance is compared to the old
> >>id-70s buses we had when it comes to traction off pavement.  We have
> >>82 diesel westy now, BTW.---SNIP
> >
> >I'd be interested in knowing others feeling on off-road(or off pavement)
> >with a 2WD Vanagon, and comparisons to the older bay window vans)  I have
> >a friend who has owned several 4-WD's, and done a fair amount of
> >off-roading and he said his 81 Westy (now given to me) was the best
> >vechicle he has driven in snow, and he was working a ski slope in
> >Colorado at the time.
> >
> >Was your bay a non-camper and the westy equip. hurting the wght.
> >distribution?  One could off-road with a minimum of fuel in the front,
> >carrying jerry cans on the rear to make up for capacity and more
> >improvement in weight distribution.
> >
> >10 gal on the rear in jerry's is roughly a 200 lb improvement in
> >distibution.  Off course you could carry a couple of agressive tires and
> >mount them when venturing and put the street tires on the back of the van
> >too.  What the h*ll, get a step bumper anfd put the whole family back
> >there, the dogs too - my two way 185 lbs together!
> >
> >Let's see gas in cans 100Lbs
> >tires on holder - 80Lbs?
> >kids - 80 Lbs (there small)
> >Dogs - 185 Lbs
> >Wife - Yeah right, you want to see me in divorce court!
> >Beef Stew - 5 Lbs
> >
> >Will have a greater effect on non-camper models - they are probably
> >better for off-roading and no propane tank - that's what I would worry
> >about!
> >
> >John Reynolds
> >81 Westy