Project Crunchie '87 Syncro Tin Top Overlander. (Pic Heavy)

[Chugach]

I'm no S.M.E, but that video doesn't appear to show/mention the whole next step/process of "baking" to avoid Hydrogen Embrittlement. I surely wouldn't be "hobbying" with fasteners/ parts that require graded strength/hardening. And that fixing solution(Dichromate)will Rust anything ferrous with 4 feet, so I wouldn't be doing this in garage/shop or kitchen

[vik]

[tjet]

I wonder where he got all his stuff plated. I'm in the process of rebuilding a 70 year old truck and I need to get some rare NLA brake parts plated.

FYI - My syncro has been on the back burner for the last couple of years because of this truck...

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/media/1950.590942/full?lightbox=1&last_edit_date=1697545923

[Atadloco]

I find myself referring back to this thread quite often, so much detailed information and time put into this. Going to be getting an AW high-top in a few weeks and once again some great sealing info.

Would love an update on the van... Hope all is well.

[danfromsyr]

from this thread
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=546624&highlight=

[Steve M.]

[tjet]

[sanchius]

Inspiring build, I don't know how I've missed it so far.

That side tank is beautiful, I'd love one for carrying water.
I hate to be the turd in punch bowl, but that location is extremely exposed and collapses in side-impact collisions.
I'm too risk adverse to ever take on the liability of owner-installing an aftermarket tank there to carry gasoline.

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Westy & WBX rebuild spreadsheet - Sanchius & Tuna: The Video
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[Abscate]

Why , PDX of course ....
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[VanagonPDX]

[pnocean]

Thanks for all the great info and pictures! This is really an amazing project!
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'87 Westy "JoesVan"

[rvparkhill44]

I am so curious to see the interior aka the kitchen and cabinet area and the carpets you used. Did I miss something in this thread or did you not post it?

[joetiger]

I reference this thread more than my Bentley.

Congrats on the new digs!
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Joe T.

'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'91 Wolfsburg Carat "Barchetta"
'02 Baja-ish Beetle "Bubbles"

"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

Justice for Megan: https://linktr.ee/justiceformegantrussell

[tjet]

Good to see you back for a quick update. I was thinking about that amazing scynco rebuild a few days ago.

[Signalocity]

So more of a personal update, than anything on the van. I moved out of the rental and bought an acre of Oregon's finest along with a 1920's farmhouse. The house needed some updating, so that' been soaking up most of my time and budget. I still have the van and we've been using it for camping, but I still need to get back to work on the interior. I am hoping to set up a shop, but that's probably a bit down the line still. The property did come with a barn and workshop which I'll make good use of, but it's not something I can pull the van into.

[veeweeman]

OK...it only took me 3 days to go through your build. ..what a great investment you have created. ..you my friend are way more anal than I am about detail. ..I hope that you have many years of enjoyment from your Syncro. ...a great job well done. ..from the looks of your achievements, I'd say that you must of sank roughly 60k into your van...that's dedication!

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Never be a follower...Do your own thing, make it your own!

[dkoesyncro]

PM sent

[Signalocity]

So long time no post again. The most recent update is that I've moved cross country to Oregon back in November. It's a move I've been wanting to make for the past 10+ years and was finally able to make it happen. I drove the van and it did quite well. The Bostig conversion hummed along without complaint. It did whimper a little during the longest/highest passes, to where my speed dropped close to 50-55 mph at the top elevations. I did however have the van way overloaded, so I attribute some fault to that. Somewhere in Idaho, what I believe to be the left front wheel bearing started to fail. I pushed it to the Oregon boarder, but at that point, it was starting to sound and feel a little too unsafe. I ended up having it towed the rest of the way, as I wasn't really in a position to wait or leave it. It is what it is. I have spare uprights loaded and ready to go, but I'm likely going to have a shop swap them out. I'm open to any suggestions for the Salem/Portland area. I haven't had a chance to research much yet. Once that's squared away, I hope to button up the A/C project once it warms up.

[SCM]

[Steve Arndt]

This is an amazing build thread bravo.
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Steve
Steve's 87 Syncro project