My Syncro Project

[teenwolf]

Just wanted to introduce myself and share my van with everyone as I start work on it. My names Matt, I live in Vt and picked up this 1986 Syncro 7 passenger a year ago. I only just registered it and began to tinker with it because I've been too busy working on another VW project. The van is ruff but was dirt cheap... anyway pics of the day I brought it home;

So far I have only done some tune up stuff. Removed all of the carpet to apply bed liner. Added larger wheels and tires. I just found a camper parts van to swap the pop top, some body panels and cabinet etc. When thats delivered work will pick up.

 

[TroySmith80]

Cool. I have an 84 2WD westy and am looking to get a syncro or go with a Ford. I need the 4WD!

You going to do an engine swap? I put a subaru 2.5 in mine... whole new vehicle. I'd suggest that or a VW 1.9T or TDI. There is a ford zetec kit too, but i rode in one and didn't much like it.

 

[teenwolf]

I haven't had much experience with syncro 4wd but eager to give it a good shake down. My van also has a rear diff lock which has proved very handy.

I have been looking into motor swaps since I first tried to climb a hill with the van. I'm leaning towards a 1.8l turbo or a 2.8l vr6. Im familiar with both and they are becoming more affordable.

 

[Scott Brady]

Gotta love the syncros

 

[TroySmith80]

Oh, yeah, 1.8T not 1.9... whatever it is, i'm not sure. It's the gas turbo 4-cyl engine that they used for years up until just a couple years ago. There's a guy on the samba who's done several of them, Stephan i believe is his name? You've probably already read about his stuff.

 

[teenwolf]

I have been reading up a lot on Samba. Those guy are putting down a lot of power with the stage 3 kits from APR. I'm leaning towards a earlier AEB code 1.8t. It makes less power (150 vs 180) but uses a cable throttle body and is mounted longitudinal already from the donor car.

Waiting for the parts van to arrive. Snowing today, so hopefully I can get a start on this in time to have it ready for snowboarding.

 

[stclair]

Cool project, and even has a locker! Dirt cheap? Always good! Keep us posted.

 

[cloudbaseracer]

Matt,

I am interested in following your progress. Why are you going to put the top on the Syncro instead of the Syncro parts on the Westy? I am just curious as most people say moving the Westy parts over is harder.

I currently have a '90 Westy that I am putting the running gear in from an '87 Syncro.

Cheers,

James

 

[teenwolf]

James, I got the westy for free from a fellow van guy. The westy is a '81 air cooled that had caught fire. Its a clean van shell from what I saw but he has removed most of the interior. I wanted the van mainly for the rear hatch and sliding door as mine have large dents in them. But then I figure why not take some westy bits while I'm at it.

So list of things I want to swap that shouldn't be to difficult; My syncro has the sun roof so I'm going to try and use the pop top. Rear hatch. Sliding door. Front swivel seats. Rear storage cabinet (if its not too burnt).

I will let the pictures explain themselves when I can. I know both the vans are similar but think syncro to 2wd westy would be quite a undertaking... have you started your conversion yet?

Matt

 

[TroySmith80]

From what i've seen, making a 2WD into a syncro is a monstrous undertaking. I did an engine swap in my van, and it wasn't too bad, but having seen pictures and documentation of a syncro install, i wouldn't touch that project. Maybe (hopefully) i'm wrong and it's not that hard, but it looks like an awful lot of work.

How far along are you in the process, James? I'd love to hear your opinion on the difficulty of the conversion, since you're doing it.

This is the thread that has informed my opinion: LINK

... Why are you going to put the top on the Syncro instead of the Syncro parts on the Westy? I am just curious as most people say moving the Westy parts over is harder.

I currently have a '90 Westy that I am putting the running gear in from an '87 Syncro.

Cheers,

James

 

[teenwolf]

This is the thread that has informed my opinion: LINK

Wow! No thanks. That seems like way too much work for awd. I like the westy interior but feel I can carry what it has to offer, with me when I do go camping. Portable stove, ice box, etc. The rest of the time I have more space in the van for other jobs. To each his own but I look at my van as a clean slate to build whatever I want... not that VW didn't do a great job with the westy. Just not worth that kind undertaking for me to have both.

With that said I would still really like to see how your vans coming!

 

[TroySmith80]

Teenwolf, i think it wouldn't bee too bad to install most of the westy interior into your syncro. That's definitely the direction i would go if i had a syncro passenger van and a 2wd westy. There are several threads about that on the samba also.

What i hope to do if i can find the deals necessary to make it happen within my budget, is to find a 4x4 ford van, and put most of a westy interior in it (or one based on a westy interior), and make the interior modular, so it's easily removable if i want more cargo space or don't want the weight. Then add either a pop-top or high-top (haven't made my mind up on that yet).

Something like that might work well for you also.

 

[teenwolf]

The parts van was dropped off today. So I should get a start on swapping parts over tomorrow. Pictures will follow.:wings:

 

[1621]

Congrats on starting up the van project. One thing to note on the parts is that the design of the rear hatch and slider door changed in 85. You'll see the difference right away. I believe it's mainly in the lock mechanisms, but the slider may be a bit more work to refit.

I've run a 1.8t in my Westy for a few years now, fantastic engine. Yes, tons of info on the Samba. You can PM me over there (1621) any basic engine related questions you might have, but I'll warn you that I did not do the install myself so that aspect I cannot entirely address.

 

[teenwolf]

Well I bolted the hatch on today. I did notice a few differences but the fit was alright. The earlier hatches we have at the shop don't have a rear wiper and the latch is slightly different. What is the issuse with the slider fitment? I don't really need to replace mine but figured it be quicker then pulling dents. I will take a look tomorrow, ran out of day light today.

It will be a while till I swap the motor but thats great you enjoy your swap. I will be in touch if and when I go that route! We are out of 1.8t at the shop ( race rabbit blew a head gasket) but we do have a couple Audi v8 I have heard the syncro trans is the weakest though...