On Fri, 14 Mar 2003, Alistair Bell wrote:

> I agree to what you state below. I have posted before my opinions of the
> Vanagon compared to '72 westy on the limited "off road" travel I have done.

Yeah, I used to take my '75 Westy on logging roads and such, too.  I agree
it had much better suspension travel (as the off road guys would put it,
'articulation') than the Vanagons do.  Its approach angle was kind of
lousy too, though...I put a lot of dents in the skidpan under the brake
master cylinder and steering box.  (Hey, that's what it's there for,
right? ;) )

I'm sure you're right about a locking diff being helpful.

I think a lot of the suspension issues are due to changes VW made to make
the Vanagons more stable on the highway.  The sorts of changes they made
to reduce body roll and sway tend to make the suspension stiffer and
less compliant in off-road situations.

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Diesel Westfalia
'94 Honda Civic Si