Bringing a Syncro Westy back to life

Madeouttaglass · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 3:33 pm Post subject:

A turning point today.

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_________________
My 1987 Syncro Westy build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=575358&highlight=

insyncro · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 3:34 pm Post subject:

Nice

I love the smell of color and clear in the morning Wink

Madeouttaglass · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 3:36 pm Post subject:

insyncro · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 3:45 pm Post subject:

Very deep and rich looking color in the photos, bravo Wink

Madeouttaglass · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 3:55 pm Post subject:

Thank you.
I saw what the original paint looked like when I took the inner panel and insulation out of the rear hatch. It was much nicer than what the original outer paint looked like after almost 30 years of exposure to the elements.
I had my 2001 Honda Goldwing sitting next to it and saw that they original VW color was almost the same except the Honda had a bit more pearl in it, so I went with the Honda color. Those pictures are after the first coat of clear. Dan tells me he is far from finished. Judging by the old Tacoma he just painted, I'm guessing this will be glass smooth in a week.
_________________
My 1987 Syncro Westy build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=575358&highlight=

insyncro · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 4:01 pm Post subject:

I think the gold accents underneath will really pop with that deep base color and will be seen with the body lift.
Nicely done Exclamation

Great combo for sure.

Madeouttaglass · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 4:55 pm Post subject:

More done over the past week.

Sitting on the Burley front suspension and old rear suspension:

The new Lobro axles will go in next week.

The diamond plate skid plate hinges down like the stock spare tire carrier did.

The big brakes (Girling 60s with vented discs) squeak by the 15" rims by a little bit.

And now to the back bumper:

The diamond plate will get caulked around the edge and slit black plastic tubing will cover the leading edge where it meets the body.

The sides are 5/8 solid steel bar with steel infill. I made them tight so they won't grab brush and just forward enough to cover the factory indentation and hole for the stock bumper end cap.

Both sides have this heavy wall steel tube welded inside so future swing away racks can be easily added.

That's it for today kiddos.
_________________
My 1987 Syncro Westy build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=575358&highlight=

insyncro · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 6:50 am Post subject:

The entire weight of the vehicle is being put on the front wheel bearings via the hubs without having the stub axle holding it together.
Just letting you know.
I would keep the jack stands under the subframe and not turn the wheels with them on the ground.

Looks really good.

Madeouttaglass · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 7:16 am Post subject:

Madeouttaglass · Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 2:37 pm Post subject:

I brought it home from the paint shop today. New pop top tent, Burley rear suspension and rear discs, interior, engine and transmission are on the to do list. Easy peasy. Should be out next week, right?

_________________
My 1987 Syncro Westy build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=575358&highlight=

Bills85Westy · Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 6:35 pm Post subject:

Man! That thing looks killer! I've been following this since the beginning and can't wait to see it done!

Bill
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89 Tristar Syncro Doka - White
85 Westfalia Syncro (conversion)
SAH 1.8T Conversion - 2005 AWP
Engine Conversion Thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=612144&highlight=
85 Doka L345 Grey - 1.9L

Madeouttaglass · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 6:17 am Post subject:

Thanks Bill, nobody wants to see it finished more than I do. Granted, it has not been worked on every week, but it sure has taken up a ton of my time since I bought it about 1.5 years ago. Just the time driving to shops, vendors, and the like adds up.
_________________
My 1987 Syncro Westy build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=575358&highlight=

BavarianWrench · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2015 9:00 am Post subject:

You earned that big boy! It is looking Tonka Tough!

Madeouttaglass · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2015 11:00 am Post subject:

Making some good progress on installing Burley's rear suspension, some interior, plus odds and ends.
I was hoping that this would be my last Westy rebuild. I did a '75 in '91, a '76 in '12 and now this '87. When I bought this syncro a year and a half ago the plan was to build it for trips out west. There were no plans on moving. Now I've bought a 95% finished house out there. Plenty of expenses in both the move, and finishing of the house. No matter how I do the math, my move would be much easier if this one gets sold also. Crying or Very sad

I've bought everything I need and will continue the build. With some luck there'll be another one some year soon. At least I won't be freezing my ass off while I work on it.
_________________
My 1987 Syncro Westy build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=575358&highlight=

Madeouttaglass · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2015 3:29 pm Post subject:

Got a few things done today.
Burley's rear vented disc brake kit. Girling calipers with parking brake feature.

I opted for his pivoting rear spring kit too.

I fabbed up these sliders while I was making the rear bumper a while ago.

I also made these rear bumper supports. I had planned on hauling a TW200 off the bumper hitch but wanted some more strength than just two bolts through sheet metal. This heavy wall square tubing also spaces the engine cradle down to match the front bumper mounts/ differential/ lower front suspension/ crash protection intermediate frame.

The front of those bars is cut back to accommodate the rear shocks.

The bigger picture of Burley's work.

Nice to see it sitting on the new suspension.

_________________
My 1987 Syncro Westy build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=575358&highlight=

Madeouttaglass · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 3:47 pm Post subject:

It's been about a year and a half since it's looked like the Westy that it is. Finally got the top back on. The top tent is from GoWesty.

_________________
My 1987 Syncro Westy build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=575358&highlight=

insyncro · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 9:11 pm Post subject:

All jacked up and ready to go Wink

luVWagn · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2015 9:51 pm Post subject:

That van should sell easy, sorry to see it go. I guess you can always do another one after the move? Twisted Evil

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'91 Double Door Transporter

Madeouttaglass · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2015 2:59 am Post subject:

hrtm · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2015 9:54 pm Post subject:

Any issues with this bedliner being such a dark color? Normally propane tanks legally need to be a light reflective color due to the heat absorption properties of dark colors. I even hear folks will flat out refuse to fill tanks that are a dark color.

The propane tank takes such a beating right behind the front wheel that I sprayed it with Rustoleum bedliner. I've used this a bunch of times and it holds up very well.

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'84 Vanagon Westfalia
'69 Beetle


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Bringing a Syncro Westy back to life
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