> I think it's the old torsionbar suspension and extra groundclearance
> of the Splits and Bays which made them so good offroad.
> Responsiveness and really long travel allowed the rear tires to
> remain in contact with the ground over really lumpy going.  They
> aren't light vehicles either.

it's all relative, andrew... they were lighter than the vanagons were they
not?

mick
hilo, hawaii

----- Original Message -----
From: Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2001 1:13 AM
Subject: Re: converting to 4 wheel drive

> >  >the 2WD Vanagon pales to a 2WD Bay in the off road traction.   I
believe
> >that
> >>  this is primarily from weight distribution.
> >
> >I've had both and I always thought the loaf was better than the 2wd
vanagon
> >off road because of the suspension rather than the weight distribution...
> >maybe the suspension and the weight in general.  my old 76 loaf was so
light
> >and nimble she would climb over almost anything.  but then, that was a
long
> >time ago... maybe my memory is fogged.
>
>
> I think it's the old torsionbar suspension and extra groundclearance
> of the Splits and Bays which made them so good offroad.
> Responsiveness and really long travel allowed the rear tires to
> remain in contact with the ground over really lumpy going.  They
> aren't light vehicles either.
>
> --
> Andrew Grebneff
> 165 EvansSt, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
> <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
> Ph: 0064 (3) 473-8863 fax: 0064 (3) 479-7527
> 1986 Toyota Corolla 1.8DX CE80 diesel sedan
> 1989 Toyota Corolla 1.8DX CE96 diesel van
> 1989 Toyota Corona 2.0D Select CT170 diesel sedan
> 1992 Toyota Estima Lucida 2.2 turbodiesel MPV (=narrow "Previa")
> 1984 VW Caravelle GL (to be fitted with 260hp Subaru SVX flat-6 &
> Porsche G50 trans)
> Seashell, Macintosh, VW & Toyota van nut