BajaSportsmobile
Baja Ironman
I'm not sure I understand the reason for comparing an apple to a potato, let alone an orange.
Land Rover vs. Syncro t3 Vanagon
- Thread starter paco_1
- Start date
Abe Froman
Adventurer
Don't need a reason. All the vanagon videos are awesome!
Hellenic vanagon
New member
Johnrunberg
Adventurer
The real question: where are you going? What will the conditions be like? What are you hoping to achieve?
We are long-time vanagon people and love them but it's not a hard core off-road platform. Synchros are awesome but have far more limitations than a rover. That said, sleeping inside rocks, esp when it rains.
We are long-time vanagon people and love them but it's not a hard core off-road platform. Synchros are awesome but have far more limitations than a rover. That said, sleeping inside rocks, esp when it rains.
Hellenic vanagon
New member
No other, normal 4x4, achieved this:
Not even its relative Steyr Pinzgauer 6x6:
Or this, specially made, prototype:
Hellenic vanagon
New member
And the (Steyr) Pinzgauers, are not easy animals!
Their underbody shape is a "Π" where a Land Rover's is an "H".
And you can see the difference here, (after 2:00):
(Did you see the, differential's, central ditch, which stopped the vehicle?).
Their underbody shape is a "Π" where a Land Rover's is an "H".
And you can see the difference here, (after 2:00):
(Did you see the, differential's, central ditch, which stopped the vehicle?).
Hellenic vanagon
New member
(Steyr) Syncros are "Π" shaped, too:
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Hellenic vanagon
New member
And Humvees...:
Haf-E
Expedition Leader
I think you are referring to the axle designs - the pinzgauer has a portal axle (similar to the unimog) and the defender is just a straight axle - so the differential housing in the middle of the axles gets in the way in tall snow.
Portal axles not only provide better clearance since the axle is mounted higher - but it also reduces the size of the ring gear in the differential so that the housing can be smaller as well - so that also increases the clearance at the lowest point of the axle assembly.
The syncro is an independent axle suspension so it has less clearance (similar to the defender depending on tire size) but the suspension reduces the clearance a bit more compared to a straight axle vehicle like a defender or jeep.
The advantage of the syncro compared to the pinzgauer on the snowy hill climb is its lower weight and possibly better weight distribution - but that is not the case anymore with the newer - higher crash rated versions of the VW transporters. They are much more heavier and are also front heavy.
Portal axles not only provide better clearance since the axle is mounted higher - but it also reduces the size of the ring gear in the differential so that the housing can be smaller as well - so that also increases the clearance at the lowest point of the axle assembly.
The syncro is an independent axle suspension so it has less clearance (similar to the defender depending on tire size) but the suspension reduces the clearance a bit more compared to a straight axle vehicle like a defender or jeep.
The advantage of the syncro compared to the pinzgauer on the snowy hill climb is its lower weight and possibly better weight distribution - but that is not the case anymore with the newer - higher crash rated versions of the VW transporters. They are much more heavier and are also front heavy.
Hellenic vanagon
New member
1)Syncro's lowest suspension point is at the outer parts, very close to the wheels, compared to straight axle's lower, (differential), part, which is right at the center, (or a little tilted at one side).
And that makes a big difference, talking for the same measured clearance.
Another important aspect is the absolute protection of the differentials, in contrast to the straight line axle/differential, ready to get first the impact.
And don't forget the live axle's "death wobble", compared to an almost perfect suspension, under any speed, up to 200 km/h +.
2)Talking about vw bus 4x4, we are talking only about Vanagon Syncro, (Steyr), with both differential lockers, low, (very), gear, and 50/50 weight distribution, the unique, in design and architecture, T3, (T25).
T4 and T5, are some between, similar, million, with very limited 4x4 capabilities, thanks to Touareg era, (for vw), sales losers in U.S.A..
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derjack
Adventurer
Coming from Germany and having several vw "Käfer", means beetle I am a fan of VW T3. Though I think YOU should ask yourself what YOU want!
These are two totally different animals. T3 are nothing near to Landys in terms of off-road!
Landys are nothing near to T3 in terms of space!
T3 are able to drive through Africa as proven, as T1 are also. But this will be no fun. Engines are not good, trannys are not good, brakes are very bad, they rust like hell, their interior is not very useful (engine in the back, no possibility to go from front to rear, low roof...)
Landys are far ahead off-road. But have way less space.
You should know what you want: off-roader or van. You can have both in a Ford Econoline 4x4 by sports mobile, ujoint, Quigley.... this was my way though T3 syncros are at every corner here to by.
Hellenic vanagon
New member
So you think that a T3 is simply "a box with space"!
It may be, but in comparison to a defender, f.ex., is a spaceship!
In terms of active safety, passive safety, aerodynamics, suspension, transmission, brakes, chassis, build quality, metal, accessories, stability, ergonomy, performance, engines, it is 200 years ahead!
There is needed a long term seminar to explain all these, but I will give you some examples.
Spanish theory
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Hellenic vanagon
New member
Aerodynamics
Here
they are wondering why
And this is the, unique and unexpected, explanation:
1,60 m2
No other car had such architecture, ever.
Here
they are wondering why
And this is the, unique and unexpected, explanation:
1,60 m2
No other car had such architecture, ever.
Hellenic vanagon
New member
Active safety
Weight distribution
Weight distribution
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Hellenic vanagon
New member
Rear suspension with controlled compliance, according to weight and to trailing arm position.
Front suspension with negative offset.
Front suspension with negative offset.
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