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Sat Nov 24, 2012 6:35 am

I don't know your style, approach to projects or views on originality, so please don't take this the wrong way.

Swap the roofs, keep your first van.

regards
Patrick.

Sat Nov 24, 2012 8:06 am

I'd keep the newer one...but I will gladly offload the 87 from your hands..

Sat Nov 24, 2012 10:44 am

photogdave wrote: 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!

Bruce's van is an electronic tdi, and much of his issues have had to do with how the original owner dealt with the factory immobilizer, and the odd code. This van is and 1.9 AAZ which has a mechanical injection and little to electronics.

A few thoughts: Depending on whether this new van has performance upgrades ie. intercooler, larger turbo, larger injection nozzles, custom pump, it is not going to have the power that the 2.1 has. AAZ's are typically 75HP (intercooled maybe up to 90) where as the 2.1 typically has 95HP. So it's a step down in power.

On the other hand, when off road, a diesel syncros will idle up the hills easily and the low end torque (at least in the tdi's) is awesome on the trail. Bruce in his 16" Syncro Dehler has noted significantly cooler engine operating temperatures compared to his gas equipped syncro buddies when off-road.

I've just switched from 1.9 waterboxer to 1.9AAZ in my transporter, and have noted significant better mileage, however given the cost differential of gas and diesel, the savings will only be evident over a long period of time or on a long trip. A few years ago I drove a Jetta with a 1.9AAZ from Forts St.John to North Vancouver on one tank of diesel. With the van I can typically go from Vancouver BC to Portland on one tank. I've had diesel vans surpass 500K km so if you treat them right they'll last a long time, I haven't had such luck with the wasserboxers, but that's just been my experience.

I'd keep the new van for the realestate you've gained up top and the fuel mileage given that you are prone to take longer trips. not to mention the front locker.

Sat Nov 24, 2012 11:40 am

I should also mention both vans have had their transmissions rebuilt by Daryl in the last few thousand miles. The diesel with higher 3rd and 4th gears. I am leaning towards keeping the joker as it has so many of the features I still want to add to my current van and I feel I could really make it my own as I have done with the getaway. One will be listed in the spring.

Sat Nov 24, 2012 12:41 pm

Frick'in the Mark Dipple dude....man I wish you were closer I'd scoop one of your syncros. I'm getting the bug dude. the kids and I are doing the mid life change poop and were looking at an all weather adventure mobile. Something comfortable enough to go to BC for a couple weeks, down to centrial AM, etc. basicly same poop you guys have been doing. Would love to do a bulletproof diesel.
Thinking about selling the '67 bus...the whole 9 yards bro'
Kids need a worldly education

When you coming to see the folks? Drop by if you can...

Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:38 pm

Mark Henry wrote: Frick'in the Mark Dipple dude....man I wish you were closer I'd scoop one of your syncros. I'm getting the bug dude. the kids and I are doing the mid life change poop and were looking at an all weather adventure mobile. Something comfortable enough to go to BC for a couple weeks, down to centrial AM, etc. basicly same poop you guys have been doing. Would love to do a bulletproof diesel.
Thinking about selling the '67 bus...the whole 9 yards bro'
Kids need a worldly education

When you coming to see the folks? Drop by if you can...
Mark
How are you doing man? I heard my old 74 is still in your back field. That is where it all started. Fixing that and the 78 with you in Peterborough is where I started gaining some confidence to work on my own. Let me know what you are looking for? I know a couple options close to you right now. One is a syncro. It is hard to go back to the air cooled after having heat and some of the other modern conveniences. I have no regrets selling the air cooled fleet. I will hopefully be back east in the spring. Take care man.

Sat Nov 24, 2012 2:12 pm

dipple wrote: I am leaning towards keeping the joker as it has so many of the features I still want to add to my current van and I feel I could really make it my own as I have done with the getaway.
Life is short, I keep reading here on TheSamba.

Taking the path of least resistance may be what your style is telling you.

I get that you will not fix or upgrade (much) of what is not broken.

Owning a couple of vans myself, I understand.

Honestly, I can only really concentrate on one van at a time as there are so many other things to juggle too.

I too keep feeling a diesel is in my future, but over the weekend I was glad I could go 80+ mph in my current gas favorite and not worry about it.

Do some pros and cons and let the family weigh in too.

Keep having fun!

Sat Nov 24, 2012 5:55 pm

You already know you are keeping the new diesel van, that is why you bought it.

This post is meaningless, you are just blowing your own horn "look at me, I have 3 syncros"

Congratulations.

Sat Nov 24, 2012 6:03 pm

Sat Nov 24, 2012 6:27 pm

vwjedi wrote: You already know you are keeping the new diesel van, that is why you bought it.

This post is meaningless, you are just blowing your own horn "look at me, I have 3 syncros"

Congratulations.

If you were a true Jedi, you would have a much better attitude :!:
Don't hate.
There are a few of us with multiple Syncros and lovin' it.

Sat Nov 24, 2012 8:07 pm

dipple wrote: Mark Henry wrote: Frick'in the Mark Dipple dude....man I wish you were closer I'd scoop one of your syncros. I'm getting the bug dude. the kids and I are doing the mid life change poop and were looking at an all weather adventure mobile. Something comfortable enough to go to BC for a couple weeks, down to centrial AM, etc. basicly same poop you guys have been doing. Would love to do a bulletproof diesel.
Thinking about selling the '67 bus...the whole 9 yards bro'
Kids need a worldly education

When you coming to see the folks? Drop by if you can...
Mark
How are you doing man? I heard my old 74 is still in your back field. That is where it all started. Fixing that and the 78 with you in Peterborough is where I started gaining some confidence to work on my own. Let me know what you are looking for? I know a couple options close to you right now. One is a syncro. It is hard to go back to the air cooled after having heat and some of the other modern conveniences. I have no regrets selling the air cooled fleet. I will hopefully be back east in the spring. Take care man.

Life moves on and you can't go back bud... unfortunately I scrapped your old bus this past spring.
Funny though as change is what this is about, Pretty sure I'm going to sell my '67 bus and I want a westy with a modern power and gearing, doesn't have to be a syncro but it has to cruse 70-75mph all day.
I have a 82 westy donor, line on a 82 diesel project....but once the bus sells, really, I should be able to buy something that's ready or almost ready to go.
If you have a line on a sweet ride shoot me a PM and I'll check it out.

Mon Nov 26, 2012 10:12 pm

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1394459

I guess we know which way you decided! There really wasn't a wrong choice.

good luck with the sale, I hope it goes to a really good home. :D (I know if I had the funds I would be interested)

Mon Nov 26, 2012 10:35 pm

Lijie'sdad wrote: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1394459

I guess we know which way you decided! There really wasn't a wrong choice.

good luck with the sale, I hope it goes to a really good home. :D (I know if I had the funds I would be interested)
Thanks.

Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:53 pm

Just wanted to post an update. The Getaway has gone to a new home. I am about to embark on a new build. I have just purchased a 1996 tdi passat to turn the joker into an mtdi.
Thanks for the positive input . It was a sad day to see the van go but I am excited by the new project.

Mon Mar 04, 2013 11:20 pm

dipple wrote: Just wanted to post an update. The Getaway has gone to a new home. I am about to embark on a new build. I have just purchased a 1996 tdi passat to turn the joker into an mtdi.
Thanks for the positive input . It was a sad day to see the van go but I am excited by the new project.
Time to edit your post signature. :)

Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:33 pm

dipple wrote: 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

The new van

Thanks Mark

have a peek at mine:

You made the good choice to keep the joker syncro :D

By the way, I think your joker is equiped with a special fan on the sky window, could you post a picture of that?
My syncro is pretty warm in summer and I am sure it could help me...

Cheers,

Charles

Fri Mar 08, 2013 11:12 pm

Syncroqc wrote: dipple wrote:

The new van

Thanks Mark

have a peek at mine:

You made the good choice to keep the joker syncro :D

By the way, I think your joker is equiped with a special fan on the sky window, could you post a picture of that?
My syncro is pretty warm in summer and I am sure it could help me...

Cheers,

Charles

Sweet ride! Heres mine.

Yes, please more info on power roof vent. I was thinking either a Fantastic Fan vent or maybe the Max Air vent. Would like to see what others have done.