Have you tried chains? I was amazed at how well my 2WD Westy did in deep snow (over 3
feet in places) with chains and about 400lbs of sand on the rear deck. This was in the
backroads, in places where guys with 4x4 PUs were having troubles up hills, and with my
chains, we were unstoppable, even driving into snowbanks up to headlights deep to let trucks
go past, I could still back out with no problems.

My main concern with a locker is the lack of steering control when locked up. (and cost).
Chains and the low 1st gear of the 5 speed is a great combination. Of course, with snow, you
can generally put chains on before you get in trouble, which isn't always the case with mud
and sand (I've been there a few times too... ;-)

On 18 Mar 2007 at 17:17, Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET> wrote:

>  I need some traction for my I-4 powered semi-westy..I just returned from the
>  desert and saw lots of "us" camping east of San Diego.  Alas, I had to tow a
>  racecar down, so I was in my Ford diesel truck with a camper.
>   Now, there are hordes of motor homes  and big Giant rigs down there in winter,
>   usually with very noisy generators and stuff..I want to be able to get a bit
>   away from  them for some tranquility but without a limited slip or perhap a
>   full locking syncro rear drive set-up, I wouldn't get far in the sand.  So, I
>   am looking for a solution. Anybody have any suggestions?  I have a cabriolet
>   motor with a 5 speed vanagon diesel tranny now and would really like to keep
>   this 'frugal' setup for it's great highway performance and yet be able to very
>   carefully go, occasionally, into places where the Winnebagos can't go..  I
>   don't intend to be 'four-wheeling', but only pushing out away from the "herd"
>   onto somewhat 'iffy' (the way my vanagon behaves right now) surfaces.. Thanks,
>   Don Hanson

Shawn Wright
http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels
'88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
'85 Jetta Diesel 1.6NA