I have a '89 Syncro Westy, and I have taken it on some pretty scary (blue
diamond and some black diamond) trails without any problems so far.  The
biggest issue is with getting high-centered or banging the rocker panels
(e.g. propane tank).  Also, overhead clearance can be a limiting factor,
since the puppy stands over 7' tall!  However, if you think a 1.9L Trooper
is woefully under powered, wait till you drive a Syncro Westy!  :-)  You do
get used to it, though and it is certainly worth it once you arrive at your
destination!

The gearing is insufficiently low on a Vanagon for any kind of "rock
crawling" (even with the Syncro's "super-low" Gelande gear), but hey, if you
want to go rock crawling, take a Jeep!  :-)

BTW - I think the later model 2WD Vanagons actually sit *lower* than the
earlier models.  I think this had something to do with roll-over liability
and lowering the center of gravity, but I'm not sure.

All in all, my impression of the Syncro Westy is that it is a very capable
off-roader as long as you don't get too far off-camber, or need to climb
real steep, slippery hills with steep approach or departure angles.  For
99.9% of the people out there, it is more than adequate.  The stove does
rattle a bit on the washboardy stuff, though  <g>

Brent Christensen
'89 Syncro Westy "Klaus"
'95 Cherokee Sport

----- Original Message -----
From: Rose Weitz <rose.weitz@ASU.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, May 19, 1999 7:35 AM
Subject: 86-91 westies & rough roads

> We are very seriously considering buying a westie. We've narrowed it down
> to 1986-91 manuals, but are wondering if we need to narrow it further. The
> problem is we live in Arizona, which has a lot of bad, rocky, dirt roads.
> We currently have a woefully underpowered (1.9 liter) Isuzu Trooper, with
> great clearance and decent 4WD. We know a westie won't be able to go all
> the places the Trooper can, but we're wondering how much we'll have to
give
> up. And specifically we're wondering whether the extra inch or so
clearance
> on the 86-87 models would really make a difference, or if anything 86-91
is
> about equally good.
> Rose Weitz, Professor
> Department of Sociology
> Arizona State University
> Box 87-2101
> Tempe AZ 85287-2101
> Fax: 602-965-0064
>