Hi John,

Limited slip sounds like a great idea when you have the funds and the
time; but a cheaper alternative would be to install a second e-brake
handle, and run the rear e-brakes independantly. If one wheel loses
traction, you can lock that wheel and get the other one spinning.

This can also be done on a temporary basis with vice grips applied to
the e-brake cable on the side with no traction, assuming you have access
to it.

Just another option to consider...

Happy Trails,

Greg Potts
1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
www.busesofthecorn.com
www.pottsfamily.ca

John Rodgers wrote:
> Daryl,
>
> When living in Alaska - and particularly out on Kodiak Island - we often
> joked about the fine and fancy multi-wheel drives seen out in the scrub
> and the brush - STUCK. It was a standing joke about one wheel drive
> being good for a $300 hole off road. The limited slip units were good to
> get you further back into a $600 hole. And four-wheel drive - it would
> get you all the way out to some pretty good $900 holes and a few $1200
> holes.
>
> The prices were the cost for an adequately equipped Wrecker to come out
> and haul you, your rig, and sometimes Sweet Thang, out of the bush.
>
> Truth was, the old-timers and Sourdoughs knew how to manage. It was the
> newbies - the Cheechakos in the country with more money than sense that
> got into trouble. with their fine and fancy rigs. And out in the back
> country in the days when I was there - being stuck way out back usually
> meant that sooner or later - while you waited for the wrecker - you
> probably were going to have a Kodiak grizzly bear over for dinner. It
> was uncanny how they could smell food! If they wanted your fish - or
> whatever other kind of food there was - you gave freely. After all, it
> was their turf, and your were trespassing. That was your toll for being
> there.
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
>
>
> atransaxle wrote:
>> As far as the Torque Biasing Diff (TBD) LSD goes..Its a seamless always
>> there unit that doesn't change anything but traction..no mileage hit or
>> anything relating to tire wear..Just keeps you going much further than
>> you
>> would with the stock "right wheel drive"..
>> Sent From Syncro de Mayo WiFi.
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Troy" <colorworks@GCI.NET>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 8:20 PM
>> Subject: limited slip differential question
>>
>>
>>> Regarding limited-slip differentials in 4 speed manual trannies in 2wd
>>> Vanagons, what are the impacts on fuel economy and tire wear?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>
>>> Warren in Santa Fe
>>> 88 Westy
>>>
>>> I'm certainly no expert on limited slip differentials; I'm the one
>>> who was
>>> posting a question to begin with. My understanding though is that
>>> they are
>>> open until needed. Going around a turn for example will engage them.
>>> Generally, it's going to have very little effect on the van's fuel
>>> economy.  Again, it engages only when you need it.
>>>
>>> Troy
>>
>>
>