A Tale of Two Vanagons (apologies to Dickens)

1)  My '81 passenger Vanagon was my driver for years--many
ski trip into the mtns.  Traction was always a worry, even
with M+S tires.  This was for 20 years.  I had to put
chains on when we had a big dump or to get up some of the
steep roads to go skiing.  150,000 miles of experience.
A couple of winters ago I put studded Nokians on the rear.
Those made an enormous difference in traction, especially
getting started on inclines.  (I've always had concrete
splash blocks or sand tubes on the engine deck.) I think
it proves that a real winter tire (with the mountain/
snowflake symbol) really helps and is worth it.

2)  My '87 Syncro Westy does not have a locking rear diff.
It never got stuck in snow, but I was always nervous about
sand.  On one beach in Baja with Mark it almost bogged down.
I got to harder sand just as my momentum was expiring.  That
made me cautious about sand.  When I had the tranny rebuilt
I added a Peloquin LSD.  I can really tell the difference in
sand.  I have been into Canyon de Chelly and on the Medano
Pass Road in Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Park (twice) with no
problems.  Some with lockers got stuck in Canyon de Chelly.
I can feel improvement when crawling over rough stuff, too.
I consider the Peloquin one of the best upgrades to my
Syncro, along with the Subaru 2.5--and the Propex furnace. ;-)

If I wanted to put money into my '81, I would put a Peloquin
in it.  If it had to be my winter driver, I would for sure.

Richard
Boulder