>If you choose to go over highway 104 (Sonora Pass) it is very steep over
>the eastern side. You may need 1st gear sometimes. So make sure your
>first gear works. No kidding. Some folks probably know Vanagons will
>survive without the first gear as long as you don't try to go over a
>10,000 ft summit somewhere.

Hwy 4 Ebbetts Pass and Pacific Summit are no slam dunks either. In the very
early 60s I put smaller jets and a leftover long duration cam in my flathead
49
Ford  - don't remember specs but it kicked ass on Sonora Pass when I lived
in
that area and had the urge to go to NV. Currently, we've been over all the
Sierra passes in the Banana Slug and he does them just fine - not fast but
fine - 80 Westy - rebuilt stock that runs #2/#3 lanes both ways over the
Grapevine. Come on up Squirrel and Ms and bring those checkered table
clothes -- we have nothing but clean rocks up here for the corners --- not
too sure about your dough kneading techniques but we're pretty liberal.

Pete & Gayle,  Murphys, Hwy 4, CA

found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.9.1/854 - Release Date: 6/19/2007
1:12 PM