I think i started a thread about this somewhere as well. I have a 2WD vanagon right now, and am selling to get a 4WD Ford.
There are a few reasons i've decided against a syncro, but i must admit, number 1 is the price. To get a Syncro to where i'd be happy with it, would take a lot of money and work. First you have to put a subaru (or TDI, or Ford, or SOMETHING) in there for an engine. Then you have to make it into a camper and put a pop-top or a high top on it (unless you paid 15-20 grand to get one that was already a camper), then you have to get the transmission geared up, then you have to insulate the interior from noise and vibration, then you put in a disconnect-shaft for the front wheels or replace the viscous coupler, then.... And none of those things are cheap.
Might have to do a fair amount of the same things for an older ford, but not quite as many i think, and they're not as expensive to do (i think). And of course, if you're considering an ACTUAL sportsmobile, those are far more money than a syncro. I would also argue they are FAR more van in pretty much every category. One thing that appeals is the relative ruggedness and affordability of the 4x4 Ford drivetrain as compared to the syncro, as well as the availability of junkyard parts, etc.
That said, the VW is a lot of fun to drive, and mine gets over 20mpg with the subaru. I may ruffle some feathers here, but the '80s Fords i've sat in have actually had better visibility. At 6' tall, i have to hunch over a little to look out and UP out of my westy. In the fords the roofline is higher and i can see UP better. In the westy of course there is no hood to see, but even in the ford i can just barely see it. It's certainly not extending way out in front of me and blocking the view.
I do like sitting above the front wheel though, there is something great about that. Especially off-road. I can't lock my knees while driving my vw though. In the ford I can, although i have a little less side-to-side space.
Anyway, you'll have a lot of fun in either, i wouldn't stress it too much.
If i'm broke down in remote alaska or mexico, or just any small town, i'd sure rather be looking for ford parts than for a mix of vw and subaru parts. My VW has never really broken on me though. I've put 10k on it i think so far, in about a year and a half.
2 best things about the VW: 1.amount of usable space from such a small footprint. 2. Turning radius.
I may (definitely!) cry when someone buys my westy and drives it away
