Syncro Dilemma: Which to keep?

dipple · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 9:53 am Post subject: Syncro Dilemma: Which to keep?

I just purchased what amounts to my dream van this weekend. The problem is I already own my dream van. I know difficult problem. Each van has distinct features that appeal to me and hence the dilemma.
My current van is a 1991 syncro Getaway hightop with westy interior and stock 2.1 motor. I have owned for almost 10 years. It has served me reliably and has really suited my lifestyle. I had always hoped to convert to diesel but mechanically it has never really let me down. I have lived in it for extended times. My family and I spent a year traveling around US and Canada 40000km on that trip, 120 000 in all. Multiple trips across country and lots of back country camping. It is expedition proven and I have really tweaked it to be utilitarian. It has suspension upgrades, brake upgrades, decoupler and is all original paint. Everything has been gone through. The negatives I am faced with are the upper bunk is becoming too small for my teen daughter, it is a finished product and I will not be doing any extended trips for quite sometime. It is at a good time and condition to pass onto someone else looking to get on the road. I do obviously have a high sentimental attachment to it.
My new diamond in the rough is a 1987 syncro Joker hightop. It is a 1.9 diesel conversion(was diesel originally). It has a lot of upgrades as well as a factory winter package including diesel Espar heater. It has decoupler and front and rear lockers. It is not in perfect shape but is a good base. The body needs some work, it needs some mechanical attention and is a potential project with lots of unknowns. I really like the look of the van but it is super similar to my getaway. The upper bunk is much more spacious and can sleep 2 adults. I enjoy working on and upgrading my van and will have sometime/$ if I sell the Getaway.
I guess my dilemma and where I am looking for input is am I crazy to sell a van with a proven track record and original paint for a rare project van with a diesel motor and a lot of features. I know opinions will differ but I am curious to hear what people think. I unfortunately cannot keep both vans.
My Getaway

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The new van

Thanks Mark
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1987 Syncro
1998 Syncro TDI Passat

photogdave · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:22 am Post subject:

All I can say is there are lots of unknowns in any conversion you didn't do yourself - even diesel to diesel.
If you ever see Bruce cruising around in his hightop Syncro 16 just ask him!
_________________
89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS

My Westy Movies:
photogdave On Vimeo
photogdave On YouTube

Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

insyncro · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:33 am Post subject:

Ah, decisions, decisions.... Think

Jedi · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:34 am Post subject:

Forget the Get away and get it away from you. The syncro club joker is the way to roll!!!! Cool

_________________
1961 Westfalia SO23 Mango Green/Seagull grey
1961 Westfalia SO34 T/BW
1961 Westfalia SO34 SWR
1964 Westfalia SO33 pearl white
1965 Westfalia SO42 Velvet green
1986 Syncro Wolfram grey with black int GL
1986 Syncro Doka
1987 Syncro Sevana beige Adventurewagen
1987 syncro Sevana beige GL
1973 Pumpkin orange Thing
2 1963 Rag top bug's
1965 Manx
1970 Single cab
1971 combi
1990 Vanagon GL
2007 Audi A4 3.2L quattro

noganav · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:03 pm Post subject:

So you got that Diesel hightop. I have been lusting over that van for years, but it came and went so fast. If you do decide to sell it please send me a PM.

Phishman068 · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:12 pm Post subject:

I suggest keeping them both. : )

snowsyncro · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:16 pm Post subject:

Hi Mark

I don't envy you having to make that choice. I thought the Getaway was pretty cool when you came through here, but I dunno; I really like that Joker. Do what I do -- just keep them all. Don't you still have a bunch of other Syncros still?

RonC

vwjedi · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:20 pm Post subject:

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1987 Wolfsburg T25 still riding out. A bunch of other VW's passed on...

taigagreen · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:21 pm Post subject:

Nice westy Very Happy

I love mine and wouldnt change it for any other camper. Which 1.9 is it?
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88 Westfalia Club Joker syncro AAZ i/c
99 Transporter syncro 2.5 TDi

dipple · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the input. We had 25cms of snow last night. I am just sitting out in the van with the diesel heater on. Pretty sweet. It is an AAZ from what I understand. Anyone have experience with Espar heaters? Mine makes a constant ticking. Not sure if that is a pump. Hopefully not a stuck ignitor.
_________________
1987 Syncro
1998 Syncro TDI Passat

dipple · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:27 pm Post subject:

Hey Ron,
I have sold off most of the syncros but could not pass on this one. I need to stop watching the classifieds. I still have my syncro panel and will keep one camper. Hope you are well on the East Coast.
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1987 Syncro
1998 Syncro TDI Passat

shepherdsond · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 12:36 pm Post subject:

Both super vans. I greatly enjoyed seeing your getaway when I picked up my Westy interior from you. Given that your daughter does not fit the Getaway anymore and the Joker is diesel with twin lockers I think I might go in that direction (if the conversion is good). You can't lose either way.
_________________
87 Syncro Hightop Camper
3 knobs + solid shaft
2.2 Phase II Subaru
Hi-Top build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=534517

IrideWheelies · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 4:18 pm Post subject:

dipple · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 4:40 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the heater info. It seems to run fine and generated a lot of heat. I bought the rack of German eBay. It was specifically for high top campers to carry windsurfers. It is hinged and folds down to the window line. It can also be adjusted to different high top heights. I then added Thule bars and an inno surfboard carrier. It is one of my favorite mods on the getaway. I carry a SUP with it and it works really well. Easy to load with 1 person. It could definitely be modified for kayaks.
_________________
1987 Syncro
1998 Syncro TDI Passat

dipple · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 4:46 pm Post subject:

GWTWTLW · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:37 pm Post subject:

purplepeopleeater · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 7:21 pm Post subject:

All my D1,D2 espars ticked....make sure you dont have an air bubble or blocked filter, it should go away a little.

Keep the Joker.

jsmitch11 · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 8:24 pm Post subject:

Keep the joker!! The getaway is sweet but the joker will be worth more!!
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1984 Vanagon Westfalia Syncro Hightop
1986 Vanagon Syncro(RIP)
1989 Vanagon Wolfsburg Whitestar Edition(RIP)

My Van syncro conversion/restoration
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=535730&highlight=black+diamond

davevickery · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 8:26 pm Post subject:

You bought the new one, so get rid of your old ride and start working on the new one. Keeping more than one van is a slippery slope and an expensive habit.

The heater ticking can be quieted with rubber mounts. I moved my fuel pump to the fender well from inside the van and the ticking was still noticable outside, but not inside.

CdnVWJunkie · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:46 pm Post subject:


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