Logically, the new tires now lacked a great deal of torque in terms of the transfer of power to the bombers. But as we needed more power than speed as globetrotters, two large construction sites were added to our plan. We swapped the gearbox for a much shorter of a 4x4 LT45. Of course, we wanted to make sure that the new one was ok, but unfortunately it was not. Then the old gearbox had to end his life as a spare parts donor. As strange as it sounds, that was the lighter part, because the new rear axle brought a lot more problems. Starting with the fact that we had to buy an extra LT35 extra for the axle. Swapping the axles was then no longer a real problem. Only to be able to see through the lid of the great differential was a nervous ordeal. Unfortunately, you only get a new replacement for the small differential, and certainly not a cover with the mechanism for the lock. Forums were written, acquaintances were called, and researched for self-help opportunities - nothing. Just a mail to VW with the request for help detours over to a gifted screwdriver, who still had a suitable used part in stock. We could use the locking mechanism even further, just had to be welded into the new cover. Now, thanks to the 100% gearbox we had translated and the 100% axle we had translated, we had to regain our strength to master the steep hills of the Caucasus. In addition, a little more braking effect, because the new axle also came along with the great drum brakes. The differential lock, which is activated in the 2WD variant via a Bowden cable, is already a priceless advantage after just 10,000 km, and the difficult part of the track is yet to come.
However, what caught us cold, and even now during the journey are the wheel bearings. Here you have to pay close attention to obstruct the right ones. Even if others fit in, unfortunately it is not good in the long run, as we can report from our own experience. In the LT-Forum there are already whole essays only on this topic. Something that you should definitely read if you want these camps to the collar.