SyncroFest 3 ~ April 18-21, 2013

[syncrodoka]

An LT

Looks like they have been diagonally across a bunch of states in the US.

[syncrodoka]

A display for the diff lock blinker unit. It was functioning display.

[syncrodoka]

Line for food that went pretty fast.

The chef.

Enjoying the great food.

[syncrodoka]

Stephan's party haus

The bus lab's drinking club

[syncrodoka]

Last but not least the police interceptor edition syncro westy.

[dredward]

Thanx for pics syncrodoka!!!!
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Cars owned: 1979/89 scirraco, 1983 gti, 1984 gti, 1986 gti, 1990 gli, 1989 cabriolet(2.0,16v conversion), 1992 gti, 1982 Westy, 1987 syncro Westy(w/ 1.8t conversion stg1 chip), and finally 2004 r32....

[Type17]

were you there ed? didnt see you.

[shadetreetim]

We just got back to Riverside from Syncrofest 2013. Showered and looking through the pictures I want to turn around and head back up there. Thank you to the Syncrofest crew for putting on this fantastic event, and for allowing us lowly 2WD’ers to camp with you guys.

The wife and I headed out Wednesday afternoon and headed up Highway 101. Our original plan was to camp at The Strand in Ventura and head on to Syncrofest early Thursday morning. We were driving by The Strand around 5:00PM, finally found a couple of empty spots close to a Port-A-Potty. Then we checked the price. $27.50 for an overnight parking spot, even a spot right on the water, just seemed wrong.

I remembered the trains that roll through there in the middle of the night. We decided to move on. We wound up at the Hollister Hills Motorcycle Camping for $10 a night. Quiet and close to the event, perfect. Waking up the next morning I made some coffee before heading over to check in.

Arriving at 11:00AM, quite a few were already there.

Walking around we watched the ramps get tested.

After a lot of discussion, I convinced the wife we could take our 2WD up in the hills as long as we stuck to the green trails. Heading up the road from camp, she got excited about a little rut. What have I got myself into? Somehow I managed to get her (and the van) to the obstacle course in one piece.

We watched a few syncro’s play around. Then it was off to check out the nice flush toilets by the obstacle course. One of the perks of coming up here… Plus we get 4G on our phones. The wife was content.

We continued uphill, headed to the quarry. I faked out the wife by heading up the side like I was going to cross the saddle, telling her I rode in Syncro’s that did this last year. She wasn’t impressed.

Or maybe she was...

We parked on a bridge to watch this Syncro drive under us.

Heading back towards camp we watched two Syncro’s going up Five Finger Hill. The first one made it fine, the second seemed to lose power just before he crested the top, sliding back and sideways before coming to a stop.

I heard later his CV flange had busted. They strapped him up and pulled him over the crest safely.
My wife was anxiously watching. Welcome to four wheelin’ darlin'.

Back in camp I watched the LT check in.

Then it was time to open the wine and beer bar.

My wife was all for heading back out on the trails Saturday. We watched Stephan’s crew playing on the other obstacle course.

Before heading out Saturday I hung this wet towel on the rack. It rode the trails with us all day and was dry, although maybe a bit dusty.

It was time to head back and help out the cooking crew.

The line stretched out but moved quickly. Thanks to whoever supplies the keg of Lagunitas IPA, it kept us well hydrated as we worked at the grill.

As usual, I ran out of time before I had seen everything and met everyone I had hoped to.
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Tim Potts

Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!


'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'74 Jeep CJ5

[syncrodoka]

I recognize your van! That is my burgandy 2wd just opposite of yours.

Much thanks to the sponsors and volunteers that make the weekend happen and so memorable.
In a few weeks the kids will be asking when the next syncrofest is- they do it every year.

[carterzest]

Great pics guys. JEEEEEEEBUS that looked like a hairy spot to go sideways on truck hill glad everyone made it off the hill in one piece. That hill seems to eat CV's:remind me to stay off it next week
Mario, bring the kids back in a couple weeks.
Thanks. Can't wait for Eric's videos.
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Happiness=Portland, Oregon in the rearview mirror!

[outwesty]

Here are a few more.

Unfortunately I was not able to get our new syncro registered in time to bring.

[syncrodoka]

[Syncrozilla]

We had a lot of carnage this year. Funny thing is we did not have a "most carnage" award either. The teter-toter seems so harmless but it put a hole in a fresh tdi oil pan. Thanks to John at GMW a new pan was delivered the next morning. After the oil pan it tried to remove a motor and trans from a 2wd syncro trans equipped van owned by one of the GW crew. Both trans mount tabs broke off the front of the trans on that one. That van drove home with a rachet strap holding the trans in. Then we had Jon Stewart's little adventure pictured above which actually snapped the output shaft on the trans that the flange attaches to requiring total trans disassembly to repair. Next up was Jack Suerfer breaking at least his rear ring and pinion and possibly his front as well. He made the trip home in a air conditioned u-haul truck/car trailer with his rubicon syncro as cargo. After that Brent Harris decided to go out for a trail ride and returned with 2 broken cv joints and a significantly worse side panel ripple by the rear tire. I'm now 100% convinced that this body damage is caused by loads put on the body during off road driving. I'm sure there was some other carnage as well that I missed (probably by the Buslab crew).
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[kuleinc]

It was really cool to meet people in face that I "knew" online, like Shadetreetim!

Had I known outwesty was at the event I would have came by and said hi! That being said we will be in tahoe next week, if you want to have a go at a trail or a meet up!?
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Check out our Our youtube channel: Https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-EbskIxNm6SYzsq4ugG81A
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=496946 1987 VW Vanagon Westfalia with 1.8T

[16CVs]

I am home and showered and somewhat put back together . My son Adam and I had a great time as usual . Mostly bench racing . As this was my vans maiden voyage ,I was unable to get my Diff locks and de coupler working properly . I was able to Put my De coupler in full time but I could not get my rear locker to lock . I took it up as far as I could on the green trails , it did as expected .
I have spent a few months getting my newly converted Tin top to Westy put together and ready for this weekend . I was mostly concerned with the trim safety issues .
Spent some time fixing a few window regulators and did a record 6 windshield installations .
Saw a bunch of people I know and some i just met . AS always a great group of people willing to chip in and get all of the carnage victims going again .
Luckily I won the one item that I really wanted in the raffle and bought some other items from people who won thing they didn't really want .
I came home with quite a few fewer parts then I showed up with ,and found some great swap items as well .
As always thanks to our Gracious hosts who gave us way more value then the cost of admission . At 156 registered vans a great showing ,see you all nest year .

Stacy/Adam
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[dredward]

[luVWagn]

[4x4BNB]

The teeter-toter was gnarled up pretty bad. I had no business going over it without a skid plate....lessons learned. Next week....skid plate!!!

Thanks a to both John and Paul from GMW! They really exemplify the essence of syncrofest

[Christopher Schimke]

Thanks to all of you who have posted photos and experiences. The event looks like a really good time. I hope to make it down there one of these years.
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[Jon_slider]

I had the most epic time under the oaks. Great to see so many happy faces.

Thanks to the organizers, participants, raffle sponsors, and special thanks to German Motorwerks for my new awesome leather instrument cover, possibly the most in demand raffle item of the event.


Link


also special thanks to GoWesty for my new awesome Big Brakes kit, possibly the most expensive raffle item of the event.

I was possibly the luckiest raffle winner of the event, certainly of my events.

I was also really happy to witness by good friend tdwesty's conquest of Truck Hill. It was in very good condition, and he made it up with no front locker, coupled to a solid shaft, and tires at 22psi. His CV's are 944 type, powered by SVX.

already looking forward to next year
thanks to everyone!


Link

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My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco