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1987 Syncro Westy Camper full restoration build w/ pictures
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smurfpike
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 12:45 pm    Post subject: 1987 Syncro Westy Camper full restoration build w/ pictures Reply with quote

I have finally uploaded my pictures and information of my restoration build. Below is the process of the restoration.
Link to all pictures
http://s63.photobucket.com/user/smurfpike/library/1987%20Syncro%20Camper

This build started after I sold my 78 Bus Camper that my dad and I restored. It was a hard sell but didn't fit my needs as a show car anymore.
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After selling the Bay Camper I knew I had to upgrade to something that was the ultimate camper so that I would never regret selling it. After some friends convinced me that I needed a Syncro I decided to start looking for one. I ended up finding one here in the classifieds and ended up buying it over Labor Day Weekend 2013. It was a 1987 Syncro Camper.
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My girlfriend at the time now Fiancé flew to New Mexico days after purchasing our new toy. This is just after I paid for it and started our way back to Utah.
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Here are some pictures on our way home
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After arriving home it was time to start tearing it down and build it even better than new.
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1987 Syncro "Big Red", Full restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=606596

1978 Westy Camper, Full ground up restoration, restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=593413


Last edited by smurfpike on Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:41 pm; edited 4 times in total
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smurfpike
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 12:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

More to come.
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1987 Syncro "Big Red", Full restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=606596

1978 Westy Camper, Full ground up restoration, restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=593413
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Syncro Jael
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 1:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jason, it is prettier in person than the photos!
Beautiful Syncro.

Laughing
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SyncroBilly
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 2:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice van. Congrats Wink
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insyncro
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 2:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Love it. Cool
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Farfrumwork
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very nice van.

Everything BUT a can opener Wink (we were camping next to you at the last Syncro Solstice)
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Jon_slider
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 5:47 pm    Post subject: Re: (Big Red) 1987 Syncro Camper Restoration with pictures Reply with quote

smurfpike wrote:
I have finally uploaded my pictures of my restoration build. This is the link to all of the pictures that i have taken.
http://s63.photobucket.com/user/smurfpike/library/1987%20Syncro%20Camper


Fantastic!
Just went through your album. wow!
and congrats on the betrothal

My 87 would love your spa treatment

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Last edited by Jon_slider on Tue Sep 09, 2014 6:37 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Atadloco
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 5:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Awesome van! Congrats!
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BavarianWrench
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 6:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Way to earn it, your Syncro is sweet!
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smurfpike
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the replies and support, it has been a lot of work and it still continues and im starting to realize that it will never end Shocked

Continuing with the teardown I took the whole interior out and all insulation in the doors and panels. I found that a few mice had made their hotel throughout the insulation.
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After the Interior was out we found that there was some rust along the seam and it continued through to the Syncro gas tank bracket.

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This was the point that I had decided that I am going to remove all the stock undercoating and take the undercarriage and fender wells down to bare metal to eliminate any rust. Might be overkill but worth it in my mind.
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New gas tank bracket and used POR-15 Marine Clean and Prep Ready to treat the metal before applying POR-15 to all of the undercarriage, wheel wells, and engine bay.

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I waited on the front wheel wells until I upgrade the whole front end. Next it was off to the paint shop for a fresh look. I kept with the original paint color code Titan Red Metallic but when it was done it had a little more orange to it and I like it better that the stock red.
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While it was at paint and body my Fiancé helped me get the interior cleaned and ready to put back together. [img]
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I can’t seem to find the pictures of the process of putting it all back together, but as it went back together I had removed the stock fridge and put a Propex heater in its place with a custom valve that will flow heat to the floor or towards the top through a custom vent that is placed behind the cabinet where the fridge vent is located. I also fiberglassed the A/C unit plastic to reinforce all of the plastic where it had cracked. While the windows were out I had them tined with ceramic tint to help with the heat and I added the left rear slider window from GoWesty. Then it was on to adding onboard battery charger, interior LED lights, automatic LED lights in the cabinets, and solar setup.
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Next section will be the front and rear suspension job
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1987 Syncro "Big Red", Full restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=606596

1978 Westy Camper, Full ground up restoration, restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=593413
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Signalocity
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 10:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice work and nice ride!
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smurfpike
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 6:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here are more pictures of the under carriage finished

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New brake lines throughout the vehicle

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Setup for the front and rear winch power, I ran the cables through the frame channel and brought them out by the bumpers with quick connects.

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Now it was time to start the suspension restoration and grinding out the front wheel wells.

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Before grinding down to bare metal

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After grinding and application of POR-15

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Next was to sandblast all of the suspension parts

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After blasting the rear trailing arms I realized that the spring perch was rusted through and they were worse than I thought

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New perches installed

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New parts and bushings

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Suspension parts with a new coat of POR-15

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Fresh paint on other parts

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Now the fun begins of suspension assembly

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All completed and sharing with fellow Syncronauts

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IG @otter.the.overland.bus
FB Ottertheoverlandbus

IG Westyrestorations
FB WestyRestorations, parts and accessories

1987 Syncro "Big Red", Full restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=606596

1978 Westy Camper, Full ground up restoration, restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=593413
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costal_cat
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Really nice work! I'm partial to 87 myself;-) Did you do any engine upgrades? Looks like you had the jump seat with it as well , very nice!
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SyncroBilly
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow man. Nice job. Love your van Very Happy

Which tires are those? What size?
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TequilaSunSet
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

SWEET SYNCRO!


This pic gives me an idea, how about building a Hovergon? Laughing

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smurfpike
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

costal_cat wrote:
Really nice work! I'm partial to 87 myself;-) Did you do any engine upgrades? Looks like you had the jump seat with it as well , very nice!


Yes it has the Tiico and I have upgraded that with the MK2 serpentine belt system and fuel rail, eventually I will do the 1.8T. I did have the jumpseat but gave it to a friend that will use it more than I will. I have a 50qt portable fridge in its place.
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FB WestyRestorations, parts and accessories

1987 Syncro "Big Red", Full restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=606596

1978 Westy Camper, Full ground up restoration, restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=593413
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smurfpike
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

SyncroBilly wrote:
Wow man. Nice job. Love your van Very Happy

Which tires are those? What size?


They are BFG All Terrian KO2 215/70/16 when they wear out im going to go with the Toyo Open Country ATII

http://reviews.toyotires.com/2916-en_us/OPATII/open-country-a-t-ii-reviews/reviews.htm
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1965 Ottinger Tribute Overland Bus
IG @otter.the.overland.bus
FB Ottertheoverlandbus

IG Westyrestorations
FB WestyRestorations, parts and accessories

1987 Syncro "Big Red", Full restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=606596

1978 Westy Camper, Full ground up restoration, restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=593413
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NoNameNeeded
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

All I can say is WOW! You do amazing work sir!
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smurfpike
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 8:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

TequilaSunSet wrote:
SWEET SYNCRO!


This pic gives me an idea, how about building a Hovergon? Laughing

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Thanks, I thought the same thing it reminds me of the hover board from Back to the Future.
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FB WestyRestorations, parts and accessories

1987 Syncro "Big Red", Full restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=606596

1978 Westy Camper, Full ground up restoration, restoration thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=593413
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madspaniard
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sweet resto job

Any details you can share about the automatic LED lights for your cabinets?
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