In a message dated 3/5/01 2:34:09 AM, wayout@IX.NETCOM.COM writes:

<<  I could
consider a synchro... But Im wondering if I should bother...
I get the gut feeling that VW didnt have a whole lot of experience doing
4WD . . .

. . . I should stick with my usual automobile
asthetic of "the simpler the better".

What do you folks think?
Am I looking at expensive problems with a synchro, or are drivetrains
comperable in reliabilty to a 2WD?
 >>

Jason,

I am sitting here looking out on at least a foot of snow covering the road in
front of my house, so perhaps I am the wrong person to address you questions.
 I have 2 Syncri solely because I want to be able to hop in one of them and
drive the 600 feet to the closest plowed street without getting my feet wet.
Having said that, I think a better Vanagon would be a 2WD with a locking rear
axle.  Once I decide to retire my older Syncro, I plan to salvage its locking
differential for such a transplant.  Anyway, syncro doesn't have the ground
clearance for any real off-roading.

VW also must have doubted their finesse with 4WD because they farmed out the
Syncro to one of the world's premier 4WD manufacturers, Steyr-Puch.  I am
sure Steyr-Puch does not make junk, but their 4WD system does require a lot
of hardware and, obviously, more things to maintain.  Some Syncro parts are
much more expensive than the 2WD equivalent.  Also, it is prudent to change
tires 4 at a time on a Syncro.

Rich