| Subject: | Diff Lock Air Switch Importation (& other special syncro parts) |
| From: | Derek Drew |
| Date: | Tue, 28 Aug 2001 11:30:08 -0400 |
<html> OK. As promised in an email about two weeks ago I have prices and availability for the importation of the VDO syncro-specific air switches that operate the plunger that goes into the transmission and cause the differential to lock up. This is the VDO factory part that comes stock on most syncros but which can also be added to the front differential in syncro to allow you to lock up all four wheels.<br> <br> The reason you would want this part is 1) to add the factory diff lock to the front differential of your North American syncro (for better traction in adverse terrain conditions), or 2) to have a spare in case your rear locker is not working correctly, and you want to try replacing this air operated switch to see if that fixes the problem. <br> <br> Another reason you would want this part is because there are two rubber washers / seals on the factory switch, one black and one brown, that can tear or be lost. Neither of these can be ordered at the dealer so especially with the brown washer, one little tear and your switch is suspect or trashed. The brown washer is the troublesome one as it is very oddly shaped and there is no particularly easy way to fabricate one. <br> <br> Up to now, this simple switch costs most North Americans $100.88 plus shipping from discount source Camelback VW (or higher at other dealers) but by sourcing them properly I have been able to bring the price down to $48 each. This includes importation duties, customs fees, and slowboat shipping from overseas (by ship).<br> <br> I am ordering a few of these for myself. This email constitutes an invitation for any other list members who want one to be included in this purchase. You may do so by sending $51 ($48 + $3 local shipping) by <a href="http://www.paypal.com/" eudora="autourl">www.paypal.com</a> to derekdrew@rcn.com or by notifying me that you have sent a check in the mail to me for this amount to Derek Drew, 5467 31st Street NW, Washington, DC 20015. If ordering more than one, it is $48 for each additional one. <br> <br> (By the way, note that the switch alone will not get you a front diff lock; you would still have to order the parts for the differential internals). <br> <br> ============================<br> END OF DIFF LOCK SWITCH NOTICE<br> ============================<br> <br> OTHER PARTS / AVAILABILITY FYI <br> <br> -- Viscous Couplings (1 left; more estimated by Thanksgiving)<br> see <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6656" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6656<br> </a>-- 16" Rear Trailing Ams ($1,250 plus shipping -- 8 weeks est.)<br> see <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/5270" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/5270</a><br> <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/5257" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/5257</a><br> -- 6.17 Ring And Pinions (front, $445, rear $495; plus shipping; in stock)<br> -- 5.83 Ring And Pinions (front, $445, rear $495; plus shipping, in stock)<br> see <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/7207" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/7207</a><br> <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6691" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6691</a><br> -- OEM CV Joint boot protectors ($160 est. 8 weeks, includes shipping)<br> see <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6112" eudora="autourl"><font color="#0000FF"><u>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6112<br> </a></u></font>-- FLO CV Joint boot protectors ($130 ext. 8 weeks, includes shipping)<br> see <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6112" eudora="autourl"><font color="#0000FF"><u>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6112<br> </a></u></font>-- 16" fender flares ($550 includes shipping est. 8 weeks)<br> -- 14" fender flares ($550 includes shipping, est. 8 weeks)<br> I recommend the 16" size. <br> -- 2.1 litre engine Belt Protectors ($23 includes shipping; estimated 8 weeks)<br> see <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6112" eudora="autourl"><font color="#0000FF"><u>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/message/6112</a><br> <br> </u></font>For more thorough research on these and other topics see <br> <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/messagesearch?query=derekdrew" eudora="autourl">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/messagesearch?query=</a><a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro/messagesearch?query=derekdrew" eudora="autourl">derekdrew<br> <br> </a>In Derek's stash: <br> <br> I have a few OEM original Michelin MXLs in stock. If you are still using this out-of-production tire and need a spare or two, shoot me an email as it has been discontinued by Michelin. <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <div>________________________________________________________</div> <div>Derek Drew New York, NY & Washington, DC</div> <div>derekdrew@rcn.com<x-tab> </x-tab> 212-580-6486</div> <div>Email me for viscous couplings</div> <div>'90 Syncro Westfalia... </div> <div>...seen off-road at </div> <div><a href="http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/Syncro_Madness_Area.htm" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/Syncro_Madness_Area.htm</a></div> <div>Note: most valuable Vanagon sites on the planet (for owners) are:</div> <div> <a href="http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?S1=vanagon" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?S1=vanagon</a></div> <div> <a href="ftp://gerry.vanagon.com/pub/" EUDORA=AUTOURL>ftp://gerry.vanagon.com/pub/</a></div> <div> <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Syncro</a> </div> <div> <a href="http://www.vanagon.com/" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://www.vanagon.com</a> </div> <div> <a href="http://www.syncro.org/" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://www.syncro.org</a> </div> <div>My refrigerator article: </div> <div> <a href="http://www.vanagon.com/info/articles/Refrigerator/Reefer_Madness.htm" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://www.vanagon.com/info/articles/Refrigerator/Reefer_Madness.htm</a></div> <div>My article that shows how to deal with insurance companies: </div> <div> <a href="ftp://gerry.vanagon.com/pub/auto-insurance-madness.html" EUDORA=AUTOURL>ftp://gerry.vanagon.com/pub/auto-insurance-madness.html</a> </div> <div>To view Wolfgang's incredibly informative wheel article</div> <div> <a href="http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/fitbigtiresonvanagon.htm" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/fitbigtiresonvanagon.htm</a> </div> <div>To view Tim Smith's incredibly useful gearing calculator</div> <div> <a href="http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/syncrotireandgearratios.xls" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://users.rcn.com/derekdrew/syncrotireandgearratios.xls</a> </div> <div>To view some 16" Trailing Arms that enable much larger tires see</div> <div> <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/syncro-org/files/Wheels,%20Tires%20%26%20Gearing/Wheel%20%26%20Tire%20Photos/16_Inch_Trailing_Arm.jpg" EUDORA=AUTOURL>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/syncro-org/files/Wheels%2C%20Tires%20%26%20Gearing/Wheel%20%26%20Tire%20Photos/16_Inch_Trailing_Arm.jpg</a></div> </html>
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