In a message dated 97-10-18 02:31:49 EDT, JordanVw@AOL.COM writes:

>> Increasing the tire diameter means even slower acceleration and higher
>> gearing.  Using a Syncro for any real four wheeling, you'll quickly
realize
>> that even the low gear on the Syncro isn't low enough for many off-road
>> adventures.  I'll stick with the 14" wheels until a pile of cash lands in
my
>> front yard enabling me to change the differential gears to compensate for
the
>> larger wheels.

> but bigger wheels also means lower rpm's and faster top end speed, right?

Theroretically, but top end speed is still power limited in a Vanagon, so I
doubt you could actually go any faster.

> also, what about the "16" Syncros" everybody's talking about - do they have
a
> whole different syncro trans from the regular models w/ 14" wheels??
> chris

Not a whole different trans, but a different pair of ring & pinion gears in
both the front and rear differentials.

Jim Davis