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mikemtnbike
Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015
Posts: 2954
Location: North Carolina
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 Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2024 10:26 am Post subject: Re: 2WD to 4WD conversion... |
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| shagginwagon83 wrote: |
| What's the worst part of a 2WD to 4WD conversion (besides spending money to rebuild trans/diffs)? Is it installing the gas tank? Can that be done without a lift? |
Brandon, I think it would be the replacement of all the other front end stuff that's not the same- when I've looked at the ads for this, I was really surprised by how many different parts there were.
Mark Ward did this and said it was a real PITA, maybe PM him?
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled  https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual |
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shagginwagon83
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016
Posts: 4399
Location: SWVA
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| Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2024 11:27 am Post subject: Re: 2WD to 4WD conversion... |
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| mikemtnbike wrote: |
Brandon, I think it would be the replacement of all the other front end stuff that's not the same- when I've looked at the ads for this, I was really surprised by how many different parts there were.
Mark Ward did this and said it was a real PITA, maybe PM him? |
Hey Mike! Yes it looks to me this project can be a 200 hour pain and probably at least 200 hours worth of work. I would need a rusty donor for the upgrade.
The whole front-end assembly for suspension and diff housing needs to be changed, probably shift rods, relocate gas tank, vacuum setup, and knobs inside.
I realize this is not the most practical and economical decision to upgrade. Let alone Syncro trans parts are super expensive and becoming more and more NLA.
However, Jo Ann the van has sentimental value to me and I never plan on selling it. If I plan on keeping it forever it might as well be built as badass as they come.
I also went to Baja and back with no problems with a 2wd with a Peloquin - it did great!
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"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin |
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PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6344
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2024 12:08 pm Post subject: Re: 2WD to 4WD conversion... |
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A friend had a 2wd-4wd conversion done at Smallcar in Tacoma. It was very expensive but turned out amazing. He did an engine conversion and total body restoration at the same time so that added a lot of expense. I'm sure the 4wd portion was at least $25k.
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 19073
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2024 12:12 pm Post subject: Re: 2WD to 4WD conversion... |
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
It's common place now so I was told. I did one, but was not brave enough to disassemble our 82 2wd camper. I used an 87 donor syncro tintop and an automatic 90 camper. Once I completed it and took mrs markward for a ride, we decided we like our old van more and I sold it on. Its a lot of work and I had access to everything I needed. It did end the syncro fever which was worth it.
What really scared me off was 1 just about everything is 2x difficult. 2 More parts to leave you stranded and hard to find and expensive when you find them. For our use, a 2wd with a Peloquin is adequate for us. 200 hours sounds about right spread over 6 months. |
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3478
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2024 12:28 pm Post subject: Re: 2WD to 4WD conversion... |
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| shagginwagon83 wrote: |
If I plan on keeping it forever it might as well be built as badass as they come.
I also went to Baja and back with no problems with a 2wd with a Peloquin - it did great! |
Perhaps your current van, along with the time and money that could otherwise be spent on trips, is already as badass as they come?
It would be interesting to see thread full of photos of Syncros making it to camping spots that 2WD can't get to. I've personally only given up once on making it to a camping spot when I think 4WD may have made it there.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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shagginwagon83
Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016
Posts: 4399
Location: SWVA
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| Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2024 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: 2WD to 4WD conversion... |
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| SCM wrote: |
Perhaps your current van, along with the time and money that could otherwise be spent on trips, is already as badass as they come?
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This is a very solid point. Enjoy what work I have put in and enjoy it now.
However, there is the enjoyment of building something that I enjoy.
I also have a dream to do the Pan Am highway and would like to be well-equipped. There are plenty that make this trip with 2wd correct?
| SCM wrote: |
It would be interesting to see a thread full of photos of Syncros making it to camping spots that 2WD can't get to. I've personally only given up once on making it to a camping spot when I think 4WD may have made it there. |
In Baja, there were only a few scenarios - one being able to get through soft sand and being closer to the ocean.
| PDXWesty wrote: |
| A friend had a 2wd-4wd conversion done at Smallcar in Tacoma. It was very expensive but turned out amazing. He did an engine conversion and total body restoration at the same time so that added a lot of expense. I'm sure the 4wd portion was at least $25k. |
Yes Small Car's recent Instagram stories were about a 2wd->4wd conversion. It all seemed super straight forward and they were able to knock the project out in a short amount of time. Now given - that was a team working on the project.
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"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin |
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MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 19073
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2024 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: 2WD to 4WD conversion... |
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| Each conversion would get faster. I spent a lot of time with the syncro transmission mounting that I wasn't expecting. If I had decided to do them, I'd have made a template at the time for future installs. You won't believe how many parts are slightly different untill you do one. I enjoyed the project. Same old story wanting vs having. I find wanting is often more enjoyable. |
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