Aren't VCs great ...solid shafters, eat yer eart out!

[HarryMann]

That's the look that driving behind a VC equipped Syncro puts on my face on all sorts of snow covered roads

VCs seem to pi$$ all over LR open centre diffs, don't they? Adjusting drive smoothly and intelligently front rear as traction changes...

as I said back in January after the last heavy falls, even changing lane at speed across fairly heavy snow-ridges, provided you have some steering and power level sense, is quite remarkable.

S-Simon agrees, obviously:

I think that this sort of weather shows just how versatile the Syncro is, I most enjoy using her in this sort of condition rather than pure off roading. I feel that this sort of weather gives the Syncro a real head-start over all other vehicles and it is as capable as even the most modern Discovery TD6. The Syncro chassis with it's near perfect weight distribution means that braking and accelerating near the limit is a much safer prospect than in an open diff Landy. The open center diff is a nightmare on ice and means you are likley to spin out when accelerating hard. This is where the VC really comes into it's own giving a predictable and safe progression of power to where the grip is.

So are solid shafts a bit less predictable under choppy, ridgy snow and ice between lanes... I just can't imagine anything that's more forgiving, gives so much immediate feedback yet also such an incredible traction control device as a VC - other than ultra-modern electronic systems.

[silverbullet]

By way of balance, IIRC (previous life flashback) when Solihull went from gear-driven transfer boxes to the BorgWarner chain driven one, the viscous centre diff came along soon after? Certainly was on Strange rovers post '88 or thereabouts.
I'd have thought that this feature would have trickled down the vehicle range to the later Defenders unless they cheapened them up or made it an expensive cost option?
I must admit that I'm constantly amazed by how capable the syncro is proving in this weather, howling rear diff not withstanding...

[axeman]

drove up to cambridge yesturday, have to say that the van just inspires driving, have been working all over the place in the last couple of weeks through the snow ice etc, you just cant beet the feeling that you get when over taking a any of the modern offerings from bmw,audi, etc etc, compleate mechanincal controll,

on the flip side sally has a freelander, and this have constantly surprised me on just how good it has been, but again it has a vc (the 4wd system was designed by stylerpuch for land rover).

neil

[sonic23]

I totally agree - proven after I did my first rescue this week.
A rather large delivery van got stuck on a steep hill - his front wheels were just spinning and he was going nowhere. We pulled in front of it - got the quizzical look from the driver when i said did he need a tow.

I wasn't sure whether we were going to pull him, as it was very hard compacted snow with ice underneath, and about one of the steepest hills in town - I fell over just trying to hitch him up. I put it in G, and pulled off - I felt the back wheels slip and swing out and thought oh no! But within a second, the VC had done it's job, the power was transfered to the front, the van corrected itself and just kicked into action. I was very very impressed indeed and had a huge grin for the rest of the day, knowing someone had got their Christmas present. Good deed done

Over the last week or so, I have been finding large wide snowy/icy roads and seeing how it handles with braking, accelerating round corners on hills etc etc. It really is a fabulous vehicle in these conditions. Though complacency must not set in. On my own road last night, it was like a sheet of ice - the worst it's been yet, and just the slightest too enthusiastic touch of the throttle sent the van moving sideways like a crab!!!!

cheers.
Rich

[..lee..]

I still remember the first time I took the syncro on sloppy wet muddy cobbles. It genuinely felt like the van was alive as each wheel in turn searched for grip amazing.
Earlier this week I drove up a lane near me that I knew was sheet ice. I stoped 1/2 way up foolishly and the van slid back 50 yards with 4 wheels locked. Note to oneself not to try that again. With both diff locks on and the r/h front wheel on the bank it pulled through the ice with 1 wheel drive. Amazing vehicles. I feel very lucky to own one.

[syncropaddy]

That's the look that driving behind a VC equipped Syncro puts on my face on all sorts of snow covered roads

VCs seem to bog all over LR open centre diffs, don't they? Adjusting drive smoothly and intelligently front rear as traction changes...

as I said back in January after the last heavy falls, even changing lane at speed across fairly heavy snow-ridges, provided you have some steering and power level sense, is quite remarkable.

So are solid shafts a bit less predictable under choppy, ridgy snow and ice between lanes... I just can't imagine anything that's more forgiving, gives so much immediate feedback yet also such an incredible traction control device as a VC - other than ultra-modern electronic systems.

The Syncro is, as we all know, an amazing vehicle and so much so, its almost boring to drive in heavy snow. I was following a Hi Lux on the un cleared motorway 5 miles from the house. Inside lane was ice and the outside lane was 6" of frozen snow. Once he hit the frozen snow ridge between the two he was all over the place - the syncro just did it, like you say, Clive, once you have steering .......
But the greatest fun of all is passing €100,000 Range Rovers doing 20mph ....... ..... a 20 year old 'camper' doing 50mph in 6" of snow!!

[HarryMann]

Though complacency must not set in.

True... keep checking myself on that one Richard

[jebiga41]

That's the look that driving behind a VC equipped Syncro puts on my face on all sorts of snow covered roads

VCs seem to bog all over LR open centre diffs, don't they? Adjusting drive smoothly and intelligently front rear as traction changes...

as I said back in January after the last heavy falls, even changing lane at speed across fairly heavy snow-ridges, provided you have some steering and power level sense, is quite remarkable.

So are solid shafts a bit less predictable under choppy, ridgy snow and ice between lanes... I just can't imagine anything that's more forgiving, gives so much immediate feedback yet also such an incredible traction control device as a VC - other than ultra-modern electronic systems.

The Syncro is, as we all know, an amazing vehicle and so much so, its almost boring to drive in heavy snow. I was following a Hi Lux on the un cleared motorway 5 miles from the house. Inside lane was ice and the outside lane was 6" of frozen snow. Once he hit the frozen snow ridge between the two he was all over the place - the syncro just did it, like you say, Clive, once you have steering .......
But the greatest fun of all is passing €100,000 Range Rovers doing 20mph ....... ..... a 20 year old 'camper' doing 50mph in 6" of snow!!

I just LOVE my Syncro just makes me smile

[ericos_bob]

Here's some fighting words. Solid shafts are superior to vcs! Just kidding but not really

[footstuck]

I still have to keep cool and remember to keep my foot lightly on the throtle
when the front end is loosing grip and starts to slide going around a corner.

The moment of VC lock up, when the front wheels find grip, always gives me a beaming smile.
Happy Christmas to all

[PetenAli]

Mine has been great through both lots of snow until the decoupler failed on me last Tuesday. Its a brand new Syncro Services one fitted for me by Syncrospares when I bought the Syncro off them in July. A combination of work, recent horrid warm wet weather, seasonal illnesses and Xmas have prevented me from finding out what's happened. The green decoupler light started to flicker and then went off. No 4WD from then on. I got by with the help of the rear diff lock.

Before the decoupler packed up I was having great fun and getting everywhere that I needed to. It managed icy hills (often with the help of both difflocks), deep snow and off road tracks with virtually no bother. It was just a case of driving sensibly (unlike some p@$$o%&s), having a light right foot and using engine and gears for control.

I've had a good look through the Wiki but does anyone have any particular ideas as to what may have heppened to a nearly new decoupler that was working well?

Thanks,

Pete

[Wolfsburg Willy]

I've had a good look through the Wiki but does anyone have any particular ideas as to what may have heppened to a nearly new decoupler that was working well?

Pete, have you checked all your pipework? If your lockers are engaging normally then vacuum is probably not the problem and I would be very suprised if the internal gears/shaft etc. have failed.

[SyncroSwede]

does anyone have any particular ideas as to what may have heppened to a nearly new decoupler that was working well?

I'd be surprised if it has failed mechanically if it was working before as they are quite simple and robust inside. I would check the vacuum lines & dash vac switch as well. Is it definitely failing to engage and not just the light not working? Could check the wiring on the switch on the decoupler itself and the green light while you're pulling the dash panels off.

[spannermonkey]

I just can't imagine anything that's more forgiving, gives so much immediate feedback yet also such an incredible traction control device as a VC - other than ultra-modern electronic systems.

Before I reached the end of my quest for the (almost)perfect 4x4 (I'm there now, have my Syncro!), about 5 years ago I aquired a VW Passat TDI 4motion. We still have it, it makes a good family wagen and general motorway mile muncher, and with a set of steelies and winter tyres is nice and safe in the sort of weather we have been experiencing - it would certainly get you out of most trouble where the 2WD masses are struggling.

It gives alot of confidence in this respect, but It aint no Syncro!Whether this is down to the 4motion setup or simply narrower AT Tyres on the Syncro, I'm not sure.

I have to agree with the above comments; the Syncro drivetrain is superbly smooth in these sorts of conditions and importantly, very predictable. Due to traffic on the motorway last week, I found myself running out of time to make it home for onward travel to the airport and a flight I couldn't afford to miss (already missed one flight after the Heathrow fiasco). The back roads and a short-cut beckoned, and throughout the Syncro remained surefooted on Ice and snow covered, if familiar country roads, despite being under pressure to hustle along.

Snow? Tool of choice - Syncro.

[PetenAli]

Pete, have you checked all your pipework? If your lockers are engaging normally then vacuum is probably not the problem and I would be very suprised if the internal gears/shaft etc. have failed.

I'd be surprised if it has failed mechanically if it was working before as they are quite simple and robust inside. I would check the vacuum lines & dash vac switch as well. Is it definitely failing to engage and not just the light not working? Could check the wiring on the switch on the decoupler itself and the green light while you're pulling the dash panels off.

Thanks both. It does seem quite a straightforward system from the diagram on the Wiki. It definately is not working rather than just a failure of the greenlight. I'll start at the switch and then work my way back down the vacuum lines. Got to get it working before the next lot of snow!

Thanks again,

Pete