Adding a locker is a fairly large expense and is not a good idea for icy
conditions. First try a good set of winter tires. Many are available
with tread compounds that provide ice grip or use studded tires, (all
4). You can probably get 3 or 4 sets with the cost of adding a locker.
If the locker is used, you won't be able to steer.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Jean-Pierre Le Cruguel
Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2005 5:04 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Q: adding a differential lock or Limited Slip on a 2WD

Hi all!

This thread few days ago interested me a lot
http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0501E&L=vanagon&D=0&P=8435

I think the best answer came from Daryl:

The actual Limited Slip's are very hard to find...I have been trying to
get
one for a customer for a month..no luck so far. 0 in about 200 cores
from
europe from one supplier. The ZF LSD's were an option and not a popular
one
evidently.
The Locker from a syncro can definately be added ...for a price....
Daryl of AA Transaxle

I have an 87 westy, 2wd, manual trans.
I'd be curious to talk to Pedros too, as he is also in Montreal.

I am very interested in improving my 2wd capacities on icy conditions.

I normaly only drive my westy in summer. Rust and snow/ice is a major
issue here in Quebec.
I do not have great tires for winter. (all season tires at the moment).
It does not take me much snow or ice to get stuck. 1 or 2 inches of ice
can be enough.
It's fairly ok on cleared roads. the thing is parking it or climbing
even small ice accumulations.
(recently I tried to get it out the garage where it is stored and I
could not climb a 1 inche tall ice step!)

I got stuck so easily: it's a truck, it's heavy. it shows
It was the same mess when I stored it. I got stuck on ice. I have some
Icetracks. it works ok but I do not want to get in/out every time.
Once you get stuck, you are f***!!!

Can someone point me to a good solution: how much would it cost to add a
locker? What is the easiest/cheapest way?
What does it involve mechanically? (Which parts do I need to
add/replace?)
I understand LSD is kind of automatic, and also not as efficient.
while a locker must controled from the driver's seat, so it 's not just
a simple mechanical add on.

If someone has already done so....

All inputs are welcome!

JP