original message:
. The locking rear differential made a huge difference, both in
overall ability to keep going straight while driving slowly on snow-covered
roads, and in not getting stuck trying to make it up the un-shoveled
driveway after a daytime snowfall. The difference was like night and day.
--------------------

reply,
I completely agree with Doug on this.  I think it would make a valuable
addition to a 2wd vanagon.
It helps A Lot with a syncro as well.  I've gotten stuck with my syncro,
then engaged the diff lock and gotten out.  My driveway is steep and you
approach it from an angle.  You sort of go almost on two wheels when you
enter.  When it snows, the syncro will get stuck because two wheels are
unweighted and start to spin.  Locking the rear diff solves this problem.

About the Lock right diff locker, I recall mixed reports in the past.  Not
sure if it was vanagon owners though.  I drove a rabbit with a lock right
and did not like it.

Gary Lee
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/rack/vanagonrack.htm