to decouple or not

Post by **xriss** » 01 Jun 2006, 15:42

any thoughts on
1) to decouple or not

2) best decoupler,german? south african? americano?

3) best value for money?

cheers all

Post by **HarryMann** » 01 Jun 2006, 15:53

Your choice... depends why you want to.

If you want the pro's and cons, there's a thousand posts in every thread on this on syncro.org or syncrosa.org forums.

Few in the UK, maybe 3 or 4 units.

Not easily available, the original SDP dog-clutch decoupler is usually expensive by the time you have imported it and paid your penance to 'that thieving Scot'

Best reason for stumping up £500 or so... another knob between the other two in the difflock dash panel

Oh, if you have a rigid shaft instead of a VC, then it's de-rigeur of course.

Don't count on a fuel consumption improvement, VW tech said their tests showed 4WD reduced consumption by 1.5% on average roads.

Let the show begin

Post by **Boltze** » 02 Jun 2006, 08:38

Hi,

in autumn we're from the Interessengeimschaft syncro 16" do a second collecting order for decouplers. On our last order we collected 100 orders from germany.

We had two offers, one from http://www.busschmiede.de and one from a small supplier (Stefan Herzberg).

The Busschmiede price for the complete set was 500€

The price from Stefan Herzberg without this parts (u need them to conntect the decoupler on Vaccum and electrilcal system):

1x 251 711 822
2x 020 139 1)
3x 251 711 998
1x 251 711 862
1x 857 711 981
1x 251 744 850
1x 111 941 541 B 043 black und 01z brown
1x 7D0 955 243
1x 431 919 040

I hope the numbers are the same as in the UK parts program.

370€ completeley mounted in your front gearbox-cap

Picture set Busschmiede

Pictures parts Stefan Herzberg:
http://vwpix.terlinden.com/~boltze/pict ... eicher/AA/

If we start, i'll write a message here in the forum.

Post by **Diamond Hell** » 02 Jun 2006, 08:45

Only someone who drives in sand the whole time or a fool would decouple.

You use the 4WD on the road again and again and you probably don't even know it.

Why would you remove this important safety feature on your van?

Sure as hell ain't for fuel consumption - ask Mudlark, who's done two long range tests with the centre prop in and out and experienced no difference whatsoever.

Land Rovers went from part time 4WD to full time 4WD in the late 70's for the Range Rover and mid-80's for the Defenders - kinda give you the hint what the way forward is, doesn't it?

Post by **amulet** » 02 Jun 2006, 10:42

I was under the assumption that if used properly then it would increase off road ability? i.e. by bypassing the vc you're getting 100% drive to the front wheels exactly when you need it... No? Am I mistaken?

Andrew

Post by **Diamond Hell** » 02 Jun 2006, 11:34

If you have a problem with drive to your front wheels then you've got a problem with your drivetrain.

I think Russel's mudrun at Coney demonstrated just how poor the Syncro's power delivery to all four wheels with a standard VC and lockers is. Not.

Post by **amulet** » 02 Jun 2006, 12:37

Oh for sure, not saying it doesn't do the job in standard trim, just that the decoupler is reputed to offer an improvement if used correctly - then again I'm not really coming from an informed standpoint as I don't have one fitted and I haven't driven one that does....

Andrew

Post by **Russel** » 02 Jun 2006, 20:47

I must admit i could have done with the decoupler and billet shaft setup last weekend
being knee deep in peat bogs all weekend,i do think it would have helped.I am more and more now thinking that some VC's cant quite handle higher touque and big agresive
tyres in harsh conditions.
I think i am going to decouple bothe my vans now(i have one gearbox
already built with a decoupler ready to fit)
But i build my own vans more for off road than tarmak in mind.

Post by **HarryMann** » 02 Jun 2006, 23:10

Oh for sure, not saying it doesn't do the job in standard trim, just that the decoupler is reputed to offer an improvement if used correctly - then again I'm not really coming from an informed standpoint as I don't have one fitted and I haven't driven one that does....

Only with a solid shaft substitute for the VC Andy...

Ahhh! I hear him say... that's an all or nothing solution then

Russel - have you tried asking Dorfs if they'll do some experimenatl fills for you, maybe go up to a slightly smaller air-gap and risk it?

I asked that for mine, they didn't want to do it, as its so critical... but the graph showed it more towards the upper green limit line than the previous two I'd seen...

And then a torque biasing diff in place of the VC might be the way to go

Post by **Mudlark** » 03 Jun 2006, 22:48

On syncro.org there was also the notion that for American syncro owners a decoupler was a solution for those with an aggressive vc who dont feel they need/want a permanent 4wd set up.

VC prices have fluctuated in the the USA with dollar exchange rates so at its peak it was seen as a cheaper option for those who had aggressive VC's

Personally I think I would always prefer the syncro's permanent safety benefits first cause i spend 99% of my time on the road.