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BCgee Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2012 Posts: 126 Location: Montana
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Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 8:40 pm Post subject: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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Finally pulled the trigger and bought a Syncro! Equally awesome, a one-way flight and 1000mi+ road trip home was surprisingly uneventful.
The van: 1987 Syncro Tintop, swapped Weekender interior, rebuilt transmission, SVX heart, and a track record with lots of little maintenance and upgrade items.
The Trip: Bay Area to SW Montana: over Tahoe/Donner Pass, through the Nevada desert, and last through Yellowstone and snowy roads.
No Issues. None. Karma and the Force were with me, obviously. For those interested in tactics, I kept it KISS: speed to no more than ~65, let everything breathe and cool down daily, check fluids routinely, and listen more to the van than the stereo. Never had to open the Bentley (yes, it flew with me for the trip).
Added spice factor for the trip were broken odometers and nonfunctional gas gauge. Indeed, I carried a 5 gal Jerry can of 91 in the passenger bay.
Grateful for all the knowledge and tips gleaned here on TS; will try and document some of the future tweaks/projects and keep the sharing going. Also, FWIW a great experience buying from a Sambanista 👍
Cheers from Montana
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Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6832 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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Congratulations...but I need snow on your roof before I believe you! _________________ This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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SyncroButter Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2016 Posts: 383 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 8:57 pm Post subject: Re: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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Congrats and welcome to the fold! _________________ Grant
In the stable: 1986 Syncro Westfalia/Bostig, 1989 Doka Tristar, 1974 Vespa Rally 200, 1973 Vespa Primavera 125, 1963 Solex 2200, 1938 Buick Special
Gone but not forgotten: 1989 Porsche 944, 1973 Standard Beetle |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16503 Location: Brookeville, MD
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jimf909 Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 7468 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 9:12 pm Post subject: Re: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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Neato, well-done and welcome! Enjoy. _________________ - Jim
Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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uberaudi Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2013 Posts: 503 Location: Hi-top Country
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Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 9:45 pm Post subject: Re: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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Congrats! Nothing like a road trip to kick off van ownership! What part of Montana? There are quite a few of us in/around the Bozeman area. |
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Bills85Westy Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2009 Posts: 423 Location: Napa CA
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Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 10:05 pm Post subject: Re: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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Scott Shelley’s old van. Nice!
Looking forward to following your future projects.
Bill _________________ 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 |
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Vnyd Dog Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2015 Posts: 384 Location: Napa
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Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:53 am Post subject: Re: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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Congrats! Great looking van. Must have been a great drive home, especially in winter. How'd she do up and over Donner Pass with the conversion? I remember when we'd drive ours up to Truckee, loaded up for ski trips, on the stock motor with all 90 ponies we'd be in the slowwww lane, with semis passing us! That's no longer a problem however... _________________ '87 Westy 1.8T Conversion, Orignal Owner, European Delivery @ Westfalia factory in Weidenbrueck.
The Story:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=713391&highlight=life |
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oldskewlsk8ter Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 347 Location: Texas
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Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:58 am Post subject: Re: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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I’m glad someone got it. I’ve been contemplating it since he put it up but wanted to wait until my truck sold so I didn’t have to dip into savings! You got a helluva deal...congrats! _________________ 1986 Hightop w/EJ25 DOHC & 4EAT auto
1965 Kombi project |
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benandmj Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2012 Posts: 550 Location: Atlanta
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Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 7:08 am Post subject: Re: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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I wanted that van! Congrats _________________ 85 Westfalia Weekender
91 Syncro Westy |
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Mathew Zelezen Samba Member
Joined: November 04, 2004 Posts: 547 Location: Graeagle, CA
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Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 10:09 am Post subject: Re: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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Enjoy!.. and start saving up!
They like to lul you into a false sense of security and then WHAMO!
Hahahaha. Seriously though, congrats.
I live in Truckee and that Pass is no joke for us stock engines.. sounds like a great trip! _________________ 87 Syncro Tintop
~Rocky J Motor
~Steedle Trans
Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: It might have been. |
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joetiger Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005 Posts: 5078 Location: denver
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Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 10:12 am Post subject: Re: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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Congratulations! I love that van. One of best Monstaliner jobs out there. _________________ 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 |
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SyncroButter Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2016 Posts: 383 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 10:36 am Post subject: Re: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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joetiger wrote: |
One of best Monstaliner jobs out there. |
I was just thinking this too, the monstaliner job is not usually my thing but on this vehicle (particularly that color) it really looks "right." Very nice! _________________ Grant
In the stable: 1986 Syncro Westfalia/Bostig, 1989 Doka Tristar, 1974 Vespa Rally 200, 1973 Vespa Primavera 125, 1963 Solex 2200, 1938 Buick Special
Gone but not forgotten: 1989 Porsche 944, 1973 Standard Beetle |
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BCgee Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2012 Posts: 126 Location: Montana
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Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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Appreciate the kudos, all!
For the record an SVX is like cheating when it comes to tackling hills - seriously have to watch the lead foot tendencies given the huge smile on your face passing semis and minivans. Already looking into how to add a tranny temp gauge to protect the newly rebuilt Mr. Gas investment.
As for the Monstaliner paint job, I agree, most times it would detract, but with this Syncro it simply works! Even better, the Wife thinks it’s nice and is voluntarily talking about hightops and artistic tweaks 👌
Cheers _________________ 1987 SVX Syncro Hightop |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16503 Location: Brookeville, MD
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redrocksteady Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2017 Posts: 31 Location: Sedona, Arizona
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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 12:35 pm Post subject: Re: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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Congrats, beautiful van! _________________ 1989 2WD Vanagon Westfaila Wolfram Grey |
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Sodo Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007 Posts: 9609 Location: Western WA
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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 8:17 pm Post subject: Re: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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BCgee wrote: |
Already looking into how to add a tranny temp gauge to protect the newly rebuilt Mr. Gas investment. |
From Temperature Control (electric) - Manual Transaxle gearoil cooler
Fresh and experimental location for the temp sensor shows the temperature of hot oil coming off 4th gear so you know if 4th gear is getting hot, without having to wait for the temp 110 lbs of steel, magnesiun, and oil to average. Members 87VanWes and Jalan have done it. I will do it soon on my van. Too soon to proclaim it as "the best location" but it's our current darling.
I'd dump out that break-in oil as often as you can tolerate, & keep doing it until the magnet clears up. _________________
'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
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BCgee Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2012 Posts: 126 Location: Montana
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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 11:01 pm Post subject: Re: One-Way Flight & A New Syncro |
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Sodo wrote: |
I'd dump out that break-in oil as often as you can tolerate, & keep doing it until the magnet clears up. |
Appreciate the tip, Sodo! My paranoia is already high and regular fluid maintenance is the cost of admission as far as I’m concerned owning an SVX Vanagon.
FWIW Mr Gas apparently threaded a new 1/8” sensor plug on the last build; will probably start with figuring out how to install an appropriate sending unit et al, then consider oil cooler or squirt magic. If you or others have suggestions on a good sending unit/gauge kit or particular components please do share.
Cheers _________________ 1987 SVX Syncro Hightop |
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