Introduction: VW Syncro 1987

[theslowdutchman]

Hello all,

Just found this great forum and thought I would introduce myself. We are Bram and Evi. At the moment we are about 15 months into our trip from New York to South America (at least that's the plan for now). We are traveling in a 1987 Volkswagen Syncro. Before we left the Netherlands we have been building it for 2 years. Now after 15 months in we are playing with the thought to sell it. We are still not sure. We had really little problems with it so far. But we are missing space and some extra comfort basically. If you like us are living in it fulltime then you know what we mean. Since our plan is to keep going for a few extra years we are thinking about switching to a truck camper. But like I said we are still not sure. Something with emotional attachment :sombrero:
Last month we have just done a paint job (at the VW dealer) and while i'am writing this they are making a new roof tent and fixing the inside of the roof. We are also getting a extra roof ventilator.

Here are some specs and pictures about the Van (pictures with old paint). If you want to know more feel free to ask. If you also want to follow our trip you can do that on Facebook (search theslowdutchman).

• The roof is a Reimo Primus roof
• 1.9 TDi engine (AHU)
• 16 bits chipped ECU
• On average it uses: 23 miles per US gallon
• Front and rear differential locks
• Rebuild gearbox
• Rebuild front differential
• Extended 3th and 4th gear
• South African plates mod for equal distribution of oil in the gearbox
• Electrical (!) power steering (custom made)
• Cruise control (custom made)
• Under need the van there is the original protection shields from front to back.
• 1 starter battery 90AH
• 1 AGM deep cycle household battery 110AH
• 2 solar panels 65W (130 total) in serial (our batteries have never been below 85%)
• Victron Blue solar charge controller (MPPT)
• Eberspracher Diesel heater, runs on the main diesel tank to make it nice and warm inside.
• Bearlock, gearbox lock. With this lock you can lock your gearbox when parked. Works great!
• Modified Westfalia interior
• Custom build fridge! Inspired by the boating world we build our own fridge. This WAECO compressor fridge uses almost no energy (on average 1.5 AMP a hour).
• 5 BF Goodrich all terrain KO2 (October 2016).
• Locked spare tire carrier custom build.
• Omnistor 2000 awning!
• Complete mosquito room for under the awning!
• 2 TREDS
• All the lights are LED

 

[macjack]

Love the van. Especially that Primus top. And TDI! I see two fuel tanks? Is this converted to syncro?

 

[theslowdutchman]

Love the van. Specially that Primus top. And TDI! I see two fuel tanks? Is this converted to syncro?

Thanks!
No it's a original Syncro. I have added a second diesel tank. This gives me a extra 372 miles range. But right now i'am in the process of changing it to a extra watertank. So in total we would have a 30 gallons of water with us. We noticed that having extra water with us helps us more then extra fuel.

 

[macjack]

Cool. I feel the same way about the water. I keep 5 gal in the cabinet, 10 off the back in Jerry cans and 6 in the spare tire carrier. But are you using the 2wd tank location for a water tank? How does that fit with your driveshafts, etc?

 

[theslowdutchman]

Cool. I feel the same way about the water. I keep 5 gal in the cabinet, 10 off the back in Jerry cans and 6 in the spare tire carrier. But are you using the 2wd tank location for a water tank? How does that fit with your driveshafts, etc?

Both our tanks are below the van. They just fit in between the frame next to the driveshaft (so not at the place where the 2wd tank location is). Both tanks are 15 gallons. One tank is now for diesel. I will remove that one and replace it with a watertank. I'am also playing with the idea to make extra storage space on the spot where normally the spare tire is.