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Syncro Jael
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
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 Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 4:55 pm Post subject: Black Bear and Imogene Pass in a Syncro? |
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Any of my Colorado neighbors, have you done either Imogene Pass or Black Bear Pass in a Syncro? We are headed to Telluride this weekend and are excited to get into the backcountry trails.
You will just love this German copilot!
Black Bear Pass
Link
Imogene Pass
Link
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat) |
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tjet 
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014
Posts: 3533
Location: CA & NM
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| Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 7:20 pm Post subject: Re: Black Bear and Imogene Pass in a Syncro? |
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| Syncro Jael wrote: |
Any of my Colorado neighbors, have you done either Imogene Pass or Black Bear Pass in a Syncro? We are headed to Telluride this weekend and are excited to get into the backcountry trails.
You will just love this German copilot!
Black Bear Pass
Link
Imogene Pass
Link
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Thats great  |
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joseph928
Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2011
Posts: 2114
Location: flagstaff az.
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| Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 7:36 pm Post subject: Colorado |
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 We have done both. Black bear was one way and the Syncro does better then the other type of 4x4 with us. Due to the Turning raduis. Look forward to going back. But then looking over the edge, lets just say the wife was not to happy.
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1987 syncro westy tin top sun roof , GW2.3, rear locker, decoupler, Gary Lee tire rack & winch mount, lift, south african grill, big brakes , rhein alloy ,15 BFG AT, Fiamma 10 foot awning ,140 watt rear 85 watt front solar , mppt, truckfridge, automatic fire extinguishing system, tencent oil cooler, And a RMW SS exhaust! - 1971 bug convertible 1776 engine- 2010 Subaru turbo - 1993 Toyota 4x4 truck - 1999 Harley 95 CI, big bore, Andrews cams . Also 80-84- vans. Stock 65 sunroof bug. |
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4x4BNB
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2012
Posts: 274
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 10:41 pm Post subject: |
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Honey!!! Never mind the town just look at the road!! Move to the right!! You got plenty of room on the right...just knock down the wall!!!
That's my wife without the accent! |
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Jahbah
Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2011
Posts: 299
Location: McMenaminville, Oregon
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 8:53 am Post subject: |
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That looks so sweet. Looks like a pretty good challenge, serious death cookies to the left. Honey stay to the right  . I would imagine that sound track could have been pulled right out of Hans's whistling gold brick. 
If you do it Jael I hope you go pro it and/or report back. Best of luck
Cheers
D
_________________
'87 Westfalia Weekender + '86 Syncro Tintop +'02 Impreza 2.5RS
= '86.5 SuperWestySyncroSubyWeekendermobileagon =
Bueno.
Jahbah~D |
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hans j
Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2006
Posts: 2714
Location: Salt Lake City UT
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 9:28 am Post subject: |
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Yup, just a dirt road with LOTS of exposure! Looks fun though. I got all bumpy'd out this weekend in the Uintas so I won't be seeking anything like that any time soon...
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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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Sir Sam
Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2009
Posts: 1684
Location: Fort Collins Colorado!
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| Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 10:19 am Post subject: |
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My favorite part of the world is the Ouray area.
Imogene pass no trouble do it and lots of others.
Black bear, go up the 550 side to the top, but dont go down the 1 way side to telluride. I've done all the passes many times including black bear but I would not feel comfortable in a stock syncro. Generally if my Jeep can do it my syncro can do it, but black bear is one of the few that for someone unfamiliar with the trail I would not recommend.
The one way part is rough, with a couple of super tight turns that are very hair raising, makes me nervous even in the jeep.
If you are looking to do a loop from telluride you could go over imogene take the 550 over red mountain, check out the top of black bear, go back down 550 towards silverton, but turn off before and head over Ophir pass back towards tellruide.
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'91 Carat Westy
87' Syncro + '87 Westy conversion coming soon |
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Syncro Jael
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 9:45 am Post subject: |
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Yup, made the trip.
We didn't get to make Black Bear, but did go up the switchbacks to Bridal Veil Falls.
Imogene pass was not technical, but I sure could use some low end torque and a lower Glande gear. We had to make a couple runs to get up the steep sections.
More clearance would have been good too, the skid plates took some serious damage down the Ouray side.
Fun trip, thanks for the comments!
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat) |
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hans j
Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2006
Posts: 2714
Location: Salt Lake City UT
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 9:53 am Post subject: |
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| Syncro Jael wrote: |
Imogene pass was not technical, but I sure could use some low end torque and a lower Glande gear. We had to make a couple runs to get up the steep sections. |
:cough:turbo diesel :cough:
More photos?!
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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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IdahoDoug
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10248
Location: N. Idaho
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 10:50 am Post subject: |
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Man, you guys have big'uns! On exposures like that, I just can't handle the stress of bringing a classic car to the party. I'd start thinking about the age of brake hard lines, steering rack bits, and things that could fail and cause a serious loss of control at just the wrong moment. That is some wild stuff, though the camera doesn't even come close to catching the danger I suspect.
I'd have my panties in a wad and would start speaking German, I suspect.
Stunning vistas and beautiful places to spend time with friends - wow. I watched the whole thing sitting on my deck with a fresh cup of coffee.
DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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Syncro Jael
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 10:58 am Post subject: |
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| hans j wrote: |
:cough:turbo diesel :cough:
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No kidding! With the altitude the EJ22 didn't have the low end grunt without really getting a run at the long steep sections and keeping the rpms up. (Not good for the skid plates) Maybe the Frankensuby???
The Syncro was a hit with the Jeep crowd and the Forest Service Rangers, he had to hear the whole story behind the Syncro manufacturing. We got a lot of looks and thumbs up while the co-pilot fixed lunch at around 12500'
The GW skid plate did not hold up to dropping off the steps on the Ouray side. Got some fabrication to do now.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat) |
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Syncro Jael
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 11:15 am Post subject: |
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A few more pics.
My wife says we won't be taking the $yncro on that road again!
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat) |
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luVWagn
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 1340
Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 12:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Syncro Jael wrote: |
Yup, made the trip.
We didn't get to make Black Bear, but did go up the switchbacks to Bridal Veil Falls.
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Tell me more about the building at the top of the falls - can you drive all the way up there?! Looks freakin' amazing! 
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'91 Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop Conversion, eTDI |
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Syncro Jael
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013
Posts: 2204
Location: Utah
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 1:01 pm Post subject: |
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| luVWagn wrote: |
| Syncro Jael wrote: |
Yup, made the trip.
We didn't get to make Black Bear, but did go up the switchbacks to Bridal Veil Falls.
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Tell me more about the building at the top of the falls - can you drive all the way up there?! Looks freakin' amazing! |
Yup, you can drive there in a Syncro 
http://www.visittelluride.com/things-to-do/trails-huts/bridal-veil-falls
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat) |
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tjet
Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014
Posts: 3533
Location: CA & NM
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| Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Syncro Jael wrote: |
...
More clearance would have been good too, the skid plates took some serious damage down the Ouray side.
Fun trip, thanks for the comments! |
That is a great photo. Thanks for the ground clearance note. It helps me justify the 35mm lift kit I got for my Syncro |
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flomulgator
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2013
Posts: 950
Location: Leavenworth, WA
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| Posted: Fri May 11, 2018 3:20 pm Post subject: Re: Black Bear and Imogene Pass in a Syncro? |
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This is an old thread, but what tires are you running in those photos, and what's the general rock vs. tire situation down there?
I ask because I have some work to do in that area this summer (twist my arm, right?) and I'm trying to figure out how to take my van instead of flying and whether it's actually a good idea. I have Nokian WRC Van tires, which have plenty of plies for commercial duty but are not A/T tires.
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She's built like a steakhouse, but she handles like a bistro! |
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owokie
Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2003
Posts: 533
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| Posted: Fri May 11, 2018 5:13 pm Post subject: Re: Black Bear and Imogene Pass in a Syncro? |
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| flomulgator wrote: |
This is an old thread, but what tires are you running in those photos, and what's the general rock vs. tire situation down there?
I ask because I have some work to do in that area this summer (twist my arm, right?) and I'm trying to figure out how to take my van instead of flying and whether it's actually a good idea. I have Nokian WRC Van tires, which have plenty of plies for commercial duty but are not A/T tires. |
Run what ya brung! We're biased 'cause we live here, but there is so much amazing camping with whatever set up you've got that you'd be crazy not to van on down. That said, lots of loose, sharp stuff up high. We took our chances for years with Nokian Entyres on some pretty gnarly stuff (never a flat), currently running KO2s which make me feel better. If you fly down you probably won't be camping here:
If you look at his wheel shot he appears to be running Toyo Hyparadials. No experience with 'em. |
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SyncroHead
Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005
Posts: 1141
Location: Northern Nevada
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| Posted: Fri May 11, 2018 7:39 pm Post subject: Re: Black Bear and Imogene Pass in a Syncro? |
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Looks like Imogene Pass got a new sign since I was there. During Syncro Safari, Colordao '04 we had four of our group's Syncros complete this leg. Great fun and great views. One Syncro needed its water pump replaced on the trail up the Telluride side of the pass, but made it over with the new pump. Pizza that evening in Ouray during twilight at outdoor cafe tables was awesome!
If I recall correctly, the 4 Syncros were equipped with 3 stock 2.1L Wasserboxers and one 1.6L Turbodiesel. At that altitude (13. 114ft) the little turbodiesel had the best power and wished my 2.1 could breathe better! Largest tires "back in the day" were about 25.6" diameter on 14" wheels, though they were labelled as 27"!
More info and photos about the trip here:
https://www.syncrosafari.org/colorado-04---overview.html
Jim Davis
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"A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"
Check out:
www.VANAVATION.com
www.SyncroSafari.org and
www.Vanagons.org
| sphet wrote: |
| I have *no* idea what the previous owner carried in his Westy... angry donkeys? |
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