here is a hard to find 4x4 Syncro Westfalia pop top weekender style Vanagon with a fresh Subaru 2.5L motor installed. This van was just completed recently but must move on for various reasons. If you have never driven a 4wd Vanagon Syncro, you are missing out, unmatched in the views and the way they drive.
This van started life as a Syncro tin top passenger van with locking differential. The pop top was done the exact same way the Westfalia factory did it, buy swapping the entire roof and cross member bracing over. This is done by drilling out the factory spot welds on the donor and recipient roof sections and rewelding. Long process, but done correctly. This has been a popular thing to do lately since Syncro Westfalia's are getting harder and harder to find. This would be considered a “weekender” with a queen size bed down below (vs the small full camper bed) and the normal full size bed up top . Many people prefer this set up since it creates more living room and some consider it the “holy grail” of syncros.
Van then received new paint all around because of the body work involved in changing tops. The body was rust free to begin with and an original Colorado van. Van was meant to be used for its intended purpose of off highway travel, so paint job is not show quality that would make you feel bad with the first inevitable cowboy strip, but a good job nonetheless. New 3 window canvas upon install (way it should have been from the factory)
Then the interior was done in a 2 tone chocolate tweed/vinyl, this updated the look from the gold 80's to current time. The chocolate ties back into all the interior bits like the dash and handles. Gold piping was used to tie back into the gold of the carpet and door panels. turned out real nice.
Nothing was wrong with the original 2.1 really, I just prefer Subaru power and have owned a few of them. Motor is from a 02 Outback with 100K miles on it and OBD2 compliant. Car was driven before dismantle. Fresh head gaskets, timing belt, pulleys, water pump etc. No expense was spared in the Subaru conversion, reversed coolant manifold, stainless steel coolant pipes, 5qt shortened oil pan for stock ground clearance, new clutch, new cat, rebuilt axles, etc. All wiring and sensors are working. Gas mileage has been between 20-22mpg mixed driving. Wheels are Gowesty 16” steelies with BF Goodrich All Terrain TA 215/70/16 (28” tire) and have only 1500 miles on them. Matching 5th spare is mounted on a Rocky Mountain Westy tire swing on the driver side for the ever critical 5 tire rotation. An additional swing could be purchased from Rocky mountain westy for the passenger side in a number of configurations.
Many people prefer a van with this empty floor plan, or it could be considered a blank slate for your dream interior build, that is up to the buyer (and assistance can be offered)
DETAILS:
87 Vanagon Syncro with locking rear diff and 150K miles on chassis (probably not 100% accurate but close to)
86 Westfalia poptop, new 3 window canvas, new sky light guy skylight and all mechanisms, all new seals
fresh Savanna Beige Metallic paint (factory color) on clean rust free body
brand new 2 tone tweed interior upholstery
02 Subaru 2.5L SOHC OBD2 100K motor with fresh head gaskets, timing belt, idler pulleys, water pump. New Stage 2 clutch, reversed cooling system, new stainless steel coolant pipes, 5 qt low profile oil pan (stock subaru capacity), new cat. All electronics work, 6k tach, stock skid plates, etc.
Axles rebuilt, drive shaft is vibe free, Swepco 201 in the transmission and front diff (just changed), locking differential functional, front end rebuilt with new ball joints and tie rods
Brand new BF Goodrich all Terrian TA 215/70/16 on 16” steel wheels with a matching 5th spare on tire swing.
Van runs and drives like a dream. The 2.5l is the sweet spot for power, reliability and efficiency (ive had a 6 cyl syncro before as well). I have to many commitments right now to justify keeping her, so I might as well not be a hoarder and let someone else enjoy her.
$28,000 obo is the asking price and located just north of Denver CO. pm me or call 303-241-1753
ps, mostly need to free up cash, but--some partial trades considered--80 or 100 series land cruisers, vintage italian motorbikes, newer URAL patrol or gear up (already own an 03 patrol and made the mistake of seeing a '14) and some convertibles
This van started life as a Syncro tin top passenger van with locking differential. The pop top was done the exact same way the Westfalia factory did it, buy swapping the entire roof and cross member bracing over. This is done by drilling out the factory spot welds on the donor and recipient roof sections and rewelding. Long process, but done correctly. This has been a popular thing to do lately since Syncro Westfalia's are getting harder and harder to find. This would be considered a “weekender” with a queen size bed down below (vs the small full camper bed) and the normal full size bed up top . Many people prefer this set up since it creates more living room and some consider it the “holy grail” of syncros.
Van then received new paint all around because of the body work involved in changing tops. The body was rust free to begin with and an original Colorado van. Van was meant to be used for its intended purpose of off highway travel, so paint job is not show quality that would make you feel bad with the first inevitable cowboy strip, but a good job nonetheless. New 3 window canvas upon install (way it should have been from the factory)
Then the interior was done in a 2 tone chocolate tweed/vinyl, this updated the look from the gold 80's to current time. The chocolate ties back into all the interior bits like the dash and handles. Gold piping was used to tie back into the gold of the carpet and door panels. turned out real nice.
Nothing was wrong with the original 2.1 really, I just prefer Subaru power and have owned a few of them. Motor is from a 02 Outback with 100K miles on it and OBD2 compliant. Car was driven before dismantle. Fresh head gaskets, timing belt, pulleys, water pump etc. No expense was spared in the Subaru conversion, reversed coolant manifold, stainless steel coolant pipes, 5qt shortened oil pan for stock ground clearance, new clutch, new cat, rebuilt axles, etc. All wiring and sensors are working. Gas mileage has been between 20-22mpg mixed driving. Wheels are Gowesty 16” steelies with BF Goodrich All Terrain TA 215/70/16 (28” tire) and have only 1500 miles on them. Matching 5th spare is mounted on a Rocky Mountain Westy tire swing on the driver side for the ever critical 5 tire rotation. An additional swing could be purchased from Rocky mountain westy for the passenger side in a number of configurations.
Many people prefer a van with this empty floor plan, or it could be considered a blank slate for your dream interior build, that is up to the buyer (and assistance can be offered)
DETAILS:
87 Vanagon Syncro with locking rear diff and 150K miles on chassis (probably not 100% accurate but close to)
86 Westfalia poptop, new 3 window canvas, new sky light guy skylight and all mechanisms, all new seals
fresh Savanna Beige Metallic paint (factory color) on clean rust free body
brand new 2 tone tweed interior upholstery
02 Subaru 2.5L SOHC OBD2 100K motor with fresh head gaskets, timing belt, idler pulleys, water pump. New Stage 2 clutch, reversed cooling system, new stainless steel coolant pipes, 5 qt low profile oil pan (stock subaru capacity), new cat. All electronics work, 6k tach, stock skid plates, etc.
Axles rebuilt, drive shaft is vibe free, Swepco 201 in the transmission and front diff (just changed), locking differential functional, front end rebuilt with new ball joints and tie rods
Brand new BF Goodrich all Terrian TA 215/70/16 on 16” steel wheels with a matching 5th spare on tire swing.
Van runs and drives like a dream. The 2.5l is the sweet spot for power, reliability and efficiency (ive had a 6 cyl syncro before as well). I have to many commitments right now to justify keeping her, so I might as well not be a hoarder and let someone else enjoy her.
$28,000 obo is the asking price and located just north of Denver CO. pm me or call 303-241-1753
ps, mostly need to free up cash, but--some partial trades considered--80 or 100 series land cruisers, vintage italian motorbikes, newer URAL patrol or gear up (already own an 03 patrol and made the mistake of seeing a '14) and some convertibles
Attachments
Last edited:
nice touch
