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Rjhdog
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2013
Posts: 369
Location: CA
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 Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 10:02 pm Post subject: Oli-89 Syncro Build-Pop Top Conversion-Other Upgrades |
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Hey Friends.
I hope this is a place where I can give back to the community of Samba Members who have given me so much insight and support. I call this a mini-build post as it will be a collection of small modifications/fixes I have done many thanks to the tutorials and guidance from many of you. Most of her larger build was done just prior to my acquisition by some very professional syncronauts. Now, I just assure she continues to purr like a kitten. I hope some folks reading through may gain some insight to help them along their journey. Here it goes:
Oli is her name. Short for Olivia - named after her previous owner. She is an 89 Transporter Syncro and is well loved.
She has a 2003 Subaru 3.0 H6 with a wiring harness built by small car.
Rear Locking, Decoupler, oiling placates etc rebuilt by AATrans.
Front Suspension is a combo of Burly Upper Control Arms with Front Bilstein 6100 Coilovers.
Front Brakes are Larger VW Africa Brakes.
Small Car Disk Brakes for the rear.
930 Burly Rear CV's for heavy duty durability.
Rear Eibach springs on pivoting rear perch by Abercombie/Burly.
Rear Shocks are Procomp MX6's.
Powder Coated Grey Metro 16" wheels with BFG ATs.
Much more...
All of these "big" modifications were happily installed prior to my ownership.
Since then, I have installed/fixed a slew of items (off the top of my head):
Weekender Rear Facing Seats
Aluminess Rear Box/ Gowesty Ladder Custom Install
H4 Euro Headlights (so much brighter!)
New Shift linkage throughout
Soundproofing
LoBro German CV's all around
3 PT seatbelts in the rear for Safety
Rear Headrests for Safety
Modern Sound System
ABS Door Panels
And many More...
I will add to this as I have lots of photos of my Mini Build and offer my learnings and share with the Syncro audience. Enjoy!
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Rjhdog
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2013
Posts: 369
Location: CA
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| Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 10:22 pm Post subject: |
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A quick Install of the Weekender Seats.
I sourced original floor Seat Post Bases from a donor rig. I am pretty sure the whole weekender seat design was an afterthought by VW to begin with given the seemingly pretty basic install effort of the seat base. It may be just me, but the simple tack welds on flat bar was basic to say the least. It made for an easy "like factory" install without much fuss.
I recommend measuring 3 times before committing! For me, this was easily one of the best interior modifications. It's fast and easy to install or pull the seats, and I can comfortable seat 7 if needed w/o the need for the large middle seat. When I camp with my family of 4, I simply remove the seats for extra floor space.
IMO, I would say the weekender layout is ideal for the quick and fast camp setup.
I am not a fan of the full westy interior and have built an easy way to cook in luxury with the Aluminess Box on rear (more on that later).
Here's the install - pretty self explanatory:
All properly primed and ready for paint:
She Fits!:
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yoconina
Samba Member
Joined: December 21, 2013
Posts: 43
Location: Paris France
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insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 3:44 am Post subject: |
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Love H6 powered Syncros  |
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Rjhdog
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2013
Posts: 369
Location: CA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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We just finished a solid 4k mile road trip through Montana (no issues) for over a month and we quickly learned our little one in the "pack and play" needs more room! Seriously, it's time to look into alternatives than the tin top. Love the lightness and utility but have pop top envy. I considered flipping our rig to purchase a full camper westy or weekender but I have spent so much energy, $, and time in this particular rig. It's better to convert this rig I know so well....
A pop top conversion is in order!
More soon as this develops.
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geo_tonz
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2012
Posts: 1473
Location: Courtenay, BC, CANADA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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How about a hightop???
http://canadianhightops.ca/index.html
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 "Ron Burgundy": 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Weekender) 2.1L Auto - Driver/Camper |
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Rjhdog
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2013
Posts: 369
Location: CA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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I have heavily considered the high top option. It's amazing for stealth camping and storage while in route but for my surfboard needs it keeps my eye on the reg pop top. I ride very long boards and the boards can't fit inside the high top and I don't want to have to build a crazy rack system up top and need a ladder to access boards on a daily basis. |
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TopBud
Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2004
Posts: 1202
Location: Flagstaff AZ
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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There are some cool ways to mount the long boards on the side of the roof of the high top. You can look around, I am sure there are plenty of pictures.
_________________
86 bostig syncro tin top
66 convertible Karmann Ghia |
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dobryan 
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 17385
Location: Brookeville, MD
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luVWagn
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 1342
Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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Something like this (not mine)
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'91 Double Door Transporter |
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Rjhdog
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2013
Posts: 369
Location: CA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 10:46 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replies.
I did consider the side load rack system as well. One area of concern is more chance of theft than board on top and drilling through high top fiberglass isn't ideal. Also, I do like the ability to throw a bunch of my gear in my cargo rack and syk box up above... I guess you could store those goods in the high top pretty easily.
If I did pursue the high top variation I do nt like the ultra high top options out there - way too much for my tastes. I would consider the OG adventure wagon top but sleeping quarters look tight esp if I didn't do the full westy cut!
You got me thinking about the high top again. Ahhhh! |
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taigagreen
Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2005
Posts: 416
Location: Norway
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 8:21 am Post subject: |
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Hi. Since 2007 I´ve done quite a bit of camping in the family syncrowesty hightop. We started as three and ended up as five. Three boys... I have also owned two pop tops (three, if you count a -76 T2 Devon Moonraker) and I do like both setups. Reimo is also nice, definitely lighter and doesn't make the van lean as much. However, the hightop (I´ve only tried the westy) is so much nicer when its raining (warmer and you don't have to raise the top, getting it wet), when you just want a quick stop (nappy changing, quick meal), storing up in the top makes thing a lot more practical. You have more space and you are more comfy with a hightop. That said, I am most likely buying an -85 westy syncro pop top, so don't mind me Very Happy
Now, if someone could just make replicas of the westy roofs made out of carbonfibre...
_________________
88 Westfalia Club Joker syncro AAZ i/c
99 Transporter syncro 2.5 TDi
Last edited by taigagreen on Fri Aug 22, 2014 5:17 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Rjhdog
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2013
Posts: 369
Location: CA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 9:41 pm Post subject: |
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A little sound mat love.
I took the advice from Gowesty and used the sound dampening material sparingly rather than try to cover every square inch.
It made a noticeable difference for road noise! Highly recommend. Just cover each large body panel area with small squares and you will have a van sound a bit more modern.
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Rjhdog
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2013
Posts: 369
Location: CA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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Custom Skidplate.
Since the H6 Subaru sits and fits differently from stock I adapted the back half of the stock syncro skid plate to protect the engine. It even has a custom oil filter protector plate integrated into skid plate since the filter theoretically is susceptible to impact.
I didn't have a great shot of the skid plate in my library so I can grab another shot if anyone would like to see it. Super happy with the fit and finish.
*** notice the clearance btw with the shortened oil pan and how high the engine sits. It has total ground clearance 3" higher than my Landcruiser!
Before:
After:
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insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 5:10 am Post subject: |
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The next time the van is up on a lift, I would love to see the skid shot looking up at it.
A picture of the skid removed completely and shown off the van would be nice too.
I share H6 parts photos worldwide and would gladly share yours and give you credit for it.
Do you know who did the conversion and with what parts?
Looks great. |
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Rjhdog
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2013
Posts: 369
Location: CA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 6:35 am Post subject: |
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I would be happy to shoot the shots of the skid plate. No need for credit. Feel free to share. Do your installs have about the same clearance as to where the engine sits relative to the ground?
Burley and abercombie did the conversion using primarily burley's parts with Abercombie's design. It's the same with all the front and rear suspension components as well. |
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insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 7:49 am Post subject: |
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Ah ha, I know the van.
Yes, the conversions I have done have the same setup and most of the same parts used.
When I use the ground clearance kit, it has similar clearance to your van.
Thank you in advance for more pictures  , no rush. |
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Rjhdog
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2013
Posts: 369
Location: CA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 7:54 am Post subject: |
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| insyncro wrote: |
Ah ha, I know the van.
Yes, the conversions I have done have the same setup and most of the same parts used.
When I use the ground clearance kit, it has similar clearance to your van.
Thank you in advance for more pictures , no rush. |
Small world isn't it!
I would love to know what you know about this van! Any history is always insight. You can pm me. Thanks Dylan. |
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Rjhdog
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2013
Posts: 369
Location: CA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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Heres a couple shots of the custom skid plate. It's shot on the ground rather than on a hi-lift but gives a general idea. Its pretty dirty at the moment, but hope it can help others, looking for solutions, to modify a skid plate for an H6.
I lost about 2" of total clearance when comparing to running without any protection. Well worth it in my eyes. That said, i designed it to have minimal ground clearance loss yet be as durable as possible.
Heres a little addition to help protect the oil filter. This is something i felt gave it the perfect "10" for protection. It also is designed for low mess oil changes as well.
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Rjhdog
Samba Member
Joined: February 14, 2013
Posts: 369
Location: CA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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Custom front CV Boot Protectors. Created these from a file and how to from the Samba.
These were originally a Napa Auto Parts Semi Truck Mud Flaps. Easy modification to help protect front CV boots from any road debris.
Enjoy.
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