Doesn't this pic make you want a Syncro ?

[raoul mitgong]

The pictures that should make people want a Syncro are like the ones IdahoDoug posted a few weeks back when he had to get creative to escape a remote campsite.
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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))

[MsTaboo]

[Scurry]

I'm wondering if you guys can help me understand which direction I should go? I currently have a 1990 Westy Atlantic in good condition. My only dislike is when i get stuck. For example, this past January we were visiting my wife's family in the Italian Alps. It was 1am when we came back to her dads house and the fresh snow would allow us to get up his driveway. We had proper winter tires, but she just couldnt make it. After 45mins of fumbling around with these ridiculously designed snow chains, I was finally able to climb up the driveway. Would an LSD with a locker help in these kind of snow situations, or would I always need to put on snow chains? Maybe I should just by smarter designed snow chains (or try to be smarter myself ).

I also found myself unable to climb a gravel country road this summer. I just couldnt get the grip and had to turn around to descend, in a somewhat scary cliff drop location. I'm always pushing to go just a bit further. So the question boils down to this:

Do I just keep my Atlantic and add the suspension mods, bumper with winch, LSD and rear locker... and make this into a more capable 2WD vehicle... or do I do what I've been dreaming off and sell this one and buy a Syncro and convert it to the Westy we already have?

*Note: part of this decision comes with the known upcoming needs of my current Atlantic. She's burning oil (more than normal). If we keep we we'll need to upgrade to a 1.9AAZ, which will be approximately €5k. Once I do that, I will have to commit to keeping her.

Whaddya think? I'm not imterested in abusing my van or seeing how far I can push her, but on the other hand, I prefer to be stuck less often.

[Jake de Villiers]

[joetiger]

Now that I have some experience driving both I can chime in. Both of my vans have recently rebuilt front ends and are in comparable mechanical shape.

Besides the G gear, the Syncro subframe makes a big difference. The Syncro drives better, handles better, and just feels more solid on road and off. It takes bumps better and maintains stability in crosswinds and bad weather better than my 2wd. Certainly there are other factors involved (Syncro is a tin top, 2wd is a Wolfsburg Westy) but that's my take on it. I love driving the Syncro in all conditions. It's more fun.

So yeah, you could probably get down the same fire roads with a 2wd with a Peloquin, but from my experience, there's more to it than that.
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32

"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron

"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond

Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present

www.josephtrussell.com

[bobbyblack]

Want. Hmmm....

I can afford the 30 or so Lottery tickets I get each year. I get them when the # of $ gets higher than $300M or so. So, like the jackpot dollars, I want a bunch more Vanagons too. All flavors please, oh, and I like older VW's too.

This 2WD 'cost' me $1... So, that was a great lottery win right there!!

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=699642&highlight=

But... now what?

What if I DID win the lottery? That could really mess my life up, just like the ZoomBus could.

-bobby
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[MarkWard]

For me personally, the hook is the engineering that went into making the syncro. I could not resist it. I am in the process of converting my 2wd camper over to a syncro drive train. I have gotten very close and personal with this job and have an even greater appreciation for the engineering that went into one. Can't see myself flying through the air with either camper though.
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☮️

[hellenic vanagon]