Re: [ihc] VW and cherman engineering....

[Dennis Bernth <scoutdude@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dunno, but if you could have ridden with me on the course we were 
putting the thing through (loaded!) you might be thinking now that 'size 
isn't everything' <chuckle>.  I'm not an old hand by any means, but the 
course we ran the thing through was the meanest I've seen for anything 
less than a full size tractor or construction truck, and it survived 
nicely.  Beleive me, there were PLENTY of opportunties for a substandard 
rear axle to go away. I'm not saying it 'won't' at some point, but I do 
think it may be a little stouter than you give it credit for. I think 
one point in it's favor is the automatic; it takes some getting used to 
because it's not like our old Torqueflites that hook up right away. It 
seems to be set up to work with the diesel, and has a pretty 'soft' 
engagement (like a high stall convertor) so it can launch as the turbo 
spools up. I would assume it provides less shock loads to the rear axle 
as a result since the engagement is more gradual, or at least it feels 
that way to me.
Dennis

Greg Hermann wrote:

>At 11:08 AM 8/7/04, Dennis Bernth wrote:
> I've driven a Mercedes diesel
>  
>
>>powered Freightliner Sprinter, and I do wish that engine and the five speed
>>automatic behind it could be an easy cheap transplant to my GMC conversion
>>van!
>>Dennis
>>
>>    
>>
>But, then again, take a look at the size (lack thereof !!) of the rear axle
>under a Sprinter, and tell me what the durability of the thing under
>serious working conditions is gonna be !!
>
>Greg