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WedgeAntillies
Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2008
Posts: 166
Location: Maple Ridge, BC
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 Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 3:49 pm Post subject: Mocha Brown 86 Syncro build/Upgrade thread |
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Yes I know, Not another syncro build thread! 
I just couldn't help myself, the Syncro lust was too strong.
Last month, after spending a couple of years scanning every classifieds site I could find (while saving my pennies and lurking on the Samba), I purchased this 1986 Syncro in Saanich, BC.
It is an original Canadian Market van in Mocha Brown. It has the brown deluxe interior with head and armrests on all seats, a heated driver's seat. It also has the rear locker.
In line waiting for the Ferry back to Vancouver.
On the ferry.
Just got it back today from my mechanic after having him replace all fuel lines, change Oil, Transmission and front dif oil and give everything a thorough going over. he said that if I needed somewhere to park it, he has room in his drive way.  
My short term plans are to get it ready for a 3 week camping trip next month up to Haida Gwaii and back. I hope to add a hidden hitch and folding rear seat. Recommendations on who to go to for the hidden hitch are appreciated.
I also need to sort out an issue with the Speedo. Right now I have the fasted van out there, apparently I never go slower that 70 kph (40mph) and when I'm on the Highway the needle is burried at over 140kph (85mph).  When compared to the GPSspeed app on my phone, the speedo is always reading more than double the actual speed. Any thoughts? Mechanic thinks it's the Speedo head.
Long term goals (we're talking 10-15 years):
- transmission rebuild (when needed)
- Motor conversion (yes I've read all the threads and I'm still deciding)
- add a pop top.
- upgrade suspension
- 15" wheels and BFG KO2s
- add weekender interior.
_________________
1987 Westfalia, Slate Blue
1986 Syncro, Timor Beige (Sold) |
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raoul mitgong
Samba Member
Joined: July 05, 2009
Posts: 1338
Location: Denver, CO
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 3:55 pm Post subject: |
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Sweet. Love the color.
-d
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84 Westy with a 2.1 (Groover)
86 Tintop Syncro (Crow)
86 Tintop Syncro to Westy project (Tom Servo)
91 Westy (Only the top 12 inches of this van (a burn victim)) |
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photogdave
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004
Posts: 3053
Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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Nice!
I'll never forget the ferry ride back from Nanaimo with mine. I still had the temp insurance paper taped to the window and some dude tried to buy if off me right there on the ferry!
If your motor is good don't sweat the conversion. Just get the RMW/Vanistan exhaust and you'll be flying in that tin top!
Bring it to MogFest this year! 
_________________
89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS
My Westy Movies:
photogdave On Vimeo
photogdave On YouTube
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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WedgeAntillies
Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2008
Posts: 166
Location: Maple Ridge, BC
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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| photogdave wrote: |
Nice!
I'll never forget the ferry ride back from Nanaimo with mine. I still had the temp insurance paper taped to the window and some dude tried to buy if off me right there on the ferry!
If your motor is good don't sweat the conversion. Just get the RMW/Vanistan exhaust and you'll be flying in that tin top!
Bring it to MogFest this year! |
there's definitely no hurry for the conversion.
I would love to go to Mogfest, but I promised my daughter that we would show the bug at The Great Canadian VW show the same weekend. 
I am hoping that I can get down to Syncro Fest next year.
_________________
1987 Westfalia, Slate Blue
1986 Syncro, Timor Beige (Sold) |
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photogdave
Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004
Posts: 3053
Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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| WedgeAntillies wrote: |
| photogdave wrote: |
Nice!
I'll never forget the ferry ride back from Nanaimo with mine. I still had the temp insurance paper taped to the window and some dude tried to buy if off me right there on the ferry!
If your motor is good don't sweat the conversion. Just get the RMW/Vanistan exhaust and you'll be flying in that tin top!
Bring it to MogFest this year! |
there's definitely no hurry for the conversion.
I would love to go to Mogfest, but I promised my daughter that we would show the bug at The Great Canadian VW show the same weekend.
I am hoping that I can get down to Syncro Fest next year. |
Second year in a row they're on the same weekend. Bummer. I made some good friends at that show the very first time I went!
_________________
89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS
My Westy Movies:
photogdave On Vimeo
photogdave On YouTube
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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on the face of your speedo what are the numbers right in the lower middle?
is it 805 or 1500?
one is for a syncro one for a 2wd van and may have been changed
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| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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WedgeAntillies
Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2008
Posts: 166
Location: Maple Ridge, BC
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 5:45 pm Post subject: |
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| danfromsyr wrote: |
on the face of your speedo what are the numbers right in the lower middle?
is it 805 or 1500?
one is for a syncro one for a 2wd van and may have been changed |
Hi dancromsyr,
Will that number be on the front of the speedo or the back? Looking at the face, I don't see either number. And which number should I see for a Syncro speedo?
Thanks
Doug
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1987 Westfalia, Slate Blue
1986 Syncro, Timor Beige (Sold) |
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ajdenette
Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2009
Posts: 768
Location: Hope Valley RI
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SteveMc
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 210
Location: Alberta, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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"The number printed on the speedometer face plate beneath the word MPH shows the number of revolutions required by the speedometer cable multiplied by 100 to travel a distance of 1/1000th of a mile (52 feet, 9.5 inches)." Bentley
For what it's worth my Syncro speedo number is 1000.
Oh, and nice ride!
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1986 Transporter Single Cab Syncro |
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syncrodoka
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 12008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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Since it is a original Canadian van it should have a KMH speedometer not a MPH and there should be 1000 under the KM/H on the face not 1600.
Last edited by syncrodoka on Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:16 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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SteveMc
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 210
Location: Alberta, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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| syncrodoka wrote: |
| Since it is a original Canadian van it will have a KMH speedometer not a MPH and there should be 1000 under the KM/H on the face not 1600. |
Ah, I'd wondered why my number seemed to be unique! Thanks
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1986 Transporter Single Cab Syncro |
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WedgeAntillies
Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2008
Posts: 166
Location: Maple Ridge, BC
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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| syncrodoka wrote: |
| Since it is a original Canadian van it should have a KMH speedometer not a MPH and there should be 1000 under the KM/H on the face not 1600. |
the number under the KM/H is 500, so I guess I have a 2WD Speedo. Thanks for the help everyone.
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1987 Westfalia, Slate Blue
1986 Syncro, Timor Beige (Sold) |
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syncrodoka
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 12008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Yeah, that is definitely a 2wd KM/H speedometer. |
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Kombi///M3
Samba Member
Joined: March 16, 2011
Posts: 427
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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Nice.. Congrats! I saw that van on Craig's too..
But ended up buying the one from aldergrove.
Cheers. |
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WedgeAntillies
Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2008
Posts: 166
Location: Maple Ridge, BC
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 10:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Kombi///M3 wrote: |
Nice.. Congrats! I saw that van on Craig's too..
But ended up buying the one from aldergrove.
Cheers. |
That's funny, I drove the one from Aldergrove and had it checked out by my mechanic. Was waiting for another car to sell or would have put an offer on it. There are things about both vans I like over the other.
Now that you've had your van for a while, what are your thoughts?
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1987 Westfalia, Slate Blue
1986 Syncro, Timor Beige (Sold) |
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hans j
Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2006
Posts: 2715
Location: Salt Lake City UT
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| Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 10:28 pm Post subject: |
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KMH speedo clusters should be easier to come by. Most of the vans being imported from Europe will have them and some people will want to convert to MPH. If you don't find one by August, I can look for one while I am over there 
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1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181 |
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Kombi///M3
Samba Member
Joined: March 16, 2011
Posts: 427
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 12:43 am Post subject: |
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| WedgeAntillies wrote: |
| Kombi///M3 wrote: |
Nice.. Congrats! I saw that van on Craig's too..
But ended up buying the one from aldergrove.
Cheers. |
That's funny, I drove the one from Aldergrove and had it checked out by my mechanic. Was waiting for another car to sell or would have put an offer on it. There are things about both vans I like over the other.
Now that you've had your van for a while, what are your thoughts? |
It's my second van. I have a summer van for camping, Wolfsburg weekender that I put a poptop on, I'm getting the syncro ready for winter..it needs some minor work, I have most of the parts and working on it when I can. I got it for a very great price, I couldn't pass.
I like yours, very euro for sure show some interior pics. |
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Signalocity
Samba Member
Joined: February 13, 2012
Posts: 573
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| Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 6:19 am Post subject: |
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| Nice rig! |
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SteveMc
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 210
Location: Alberta, Canada
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WedgeAntillies
Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2008
Posts: 166
Location: Maple Ridge, BC
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| Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 11:45 am Post subject: |
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| hans j wrote: |
| KMH speedo clusters should be easier to come by. Most of the vans being imported from Europe will have them and some people will want to convert to MPH. If you don't find one by August, I can look for one while I am over there |
Hans, If I can't find one by August I will definitely take you up on your offer. may even give me an excuse to come see the new Sinka.
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1987 Westfalia, Slate Blue
1986 Syncro, Timor Beige (Sold) |
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