In the military terrain driving education we were taught to
use the brakes as a way of balancing motor power. On
the 4x4 (or 6x6) many times applying limited braking 
at the same time as power would help negotiate a challenging 
terrain.

Now on the 2WD vanagon, pushing the brake pedal is counter productive
as it will stop also the non-driven wheels. One can pull the handbrake 
to prevent a spinning wheel. It will of course brake both rear wheels, 
but it can somewhat help stabilize power on difficult/slippery surfaces. 
It works best if applied before anything starts slipping.
(probably due to difference between static and dynamic friction)
A means of engaging the brake on just one wheel might be handy also.
Would need the cables from both wheels to be pulled to the front.

Martin

--- On Sun, 3/8/09, aatransaxle <daryl@AATRANSAXLE.COM> wrote:

> From: aatransaxle <daryl@AATRANSAXLE.COM>
> Subject: Re: Locking differential..?
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Received: Sunday, March 8, 2009, 11:22 PM
> Don & whoever else cares...
> There are Torque Biasing Differentials(TBD)..commonly
> called Limitd Slip
> Diffs (LSD) that can be installed in our Vanagon trannys
> without much hassle
> other than the cost of the unit.($1195)
> These TBDiffs get you twice the traction of the stock "open
> diff"..If one
> wheel gets airborne, then it will loose tractiion to the
> other wheel as
> well..thats the downfall of that system. It will, however,
> get you much
> further before you loose traction and keep you moving thru
> most situations
> we would typically encounter. It tries to hunt for the
> wheel with the most
> traction and feed power to that one. Pretty good system
> unless you are
> really serious about getting stuck...
> 
> Lockers, like the factory setup, will actually hook both
> rear wheels
> together..solidly. The rear wheels WILL turn..
> Locker units are spendy to install, as you have to replace
> the main case and
> pretty much rebuild it.
> A locker can be retrofitted to a 2WD tranny.
> There is also a Locking Limited Slip available (I have one
> in my own syncro)
> that is a LSD with the ability to Lock when you pull the
> button.
> Still have to do the tranny part and add the vacuum
> operating goodies as
> well to make it work.
> 2wd factory locker install & rebuild runs about $2500
> total
> 2WD LSD install runs $2300 with rebuild. $1500 without
> rbld.
> A syncro tranny can be made to fit into a 2WD setup..can
> you say big$$$$$?
> A syncro non-locker can be retrofitted to become a locker.
> There you have it in a nutshell...call with $ questions.
> Daryl of AA Transaxle
> (425) 788-4070
> aatransaxle.com
> 86 Syncro Westy
> Zetec in the trunk
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "dhanson@gorge.net"
> <dhanson@GORGE..NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Sunday, March 08, 2009 11:53 AM
> Subject: Locking differential..?
> 
> 
> >� Hi all
> >
> >� I've heard vague rumblings of� available
> locking differential kits for
> > the 2wd Vanagons.� I've
> > googled it and I only come up with some various brands
> of limited slip
> > options..from Peoquid, etc.
> > While those might be the best way to go overall, I
> really don't want to
> > spend a few $K if I can help
> > it, and with just a quick search, I don't see one that
> would fit into my 5
> > speed manual tranny
> > (Probably out of a diesel vanagon) anyhow.
> >� Someone referred to full locker aftermarket kits
> that might be workable,
> > perhaps as used in dune
> > buggys or Baja Bugs.� I am looking for something
> similar in action to how
> > manual locking hubs work
> > on a HD 4x4 truck...something that I could lock when I
> enter deep sand or
> > want to climb an icy snowy
> > hill, then release again...not something I can switch
> in 'on the fly'
> > even..(unless that is also
> > available)� I'd like the option to occasionally
> cross some soft sandy
> > patches or attempt a� beach
> > crossing or get up a snowy back road,..not a full time
> 4wd capable van..
> >
> >� Anybody know of anything available like
> this?� I have been on the lookout
> > for a Syncro Locker
> > tranny, but those are as rare as hen's teeth and extra
> pricey, plus I'm
> > sure I'd have to rebuild and
> > re-gear if I did somehow find one..
> >
> >� Thanks Don Hanson
> 

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