Differences between RWD and Syncro clusters?

PaulGinAZ

I have searched extensively for the answers to this question here and cannot find the answer. I am going through the federalization of my Tristar right now and one of the components that I need is a cluster that reads in MPH not KMPH. I have been told that the RWD clusters are not compatible with the Syncro clusters and that the readings will be way off if I just swap over a RWD cluster into my Syncro truck.

Can anyone confirm or deny all of this? I appreciate your help.
_________________
-1989 Syncro Tristar TDi on Air Ride
-1980 Scirocco "S" with 16v Oettenger
-1996 VW Cabrio VR6 turbo
-2014 Silverado 1500 High Country
-2010 BMW X5 3.0 Sport (wifes)

vwlovr · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:51 am Post subject:

i don't know about the whole cluster, but the speedos can interchange. i have used several different 2wd speedos on my syncro with no trouble.

tencentlife · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:08 am Post subject:

As long as the rotations per mile notation is the same, it'll work the same.
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candyman · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:22 am Post subject:

you can not use a 2wd speedo in a syncro BTDT. it reads about 2x as high as a syncro speedo. as far as kph to mph i have no experience here. i used a 2wd speedo in my syncro and at 20 mph the speedo read 40. if you take it out on the highway you needle will bust off at about 45 mph

foodeater · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 3:03 pm Post subject:

the Syncro speedometer cable turns a different amount per mile than a 2WD. they are not direcly swapable. Right under the MPH text on the speedometer face there is a number that tells the number of rotations per mile.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

If that number is the same on both units they will swap no problem.
_________________
89 Bluestar-2.5 Subaru Powered-RIP
'84 Westy Tiico-daily driver-sold
'82 Caddy diesel-sold
'87 Vanagon Syncro-RIP
'81 diesel rabbit-sold
'82 Vanagon auto-RIP

vwlovr · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject:

weird, i could have sworn i swapped my speedo with a 2wd one.

foodeater · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:23 pm Post subject:

ak_runner · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 2:10 pm Post subject:

A Syncro speedo turns at 1600 vs the RWD at 805. Used RWD speedos are plentiful, Syncros are not.
_________________
AK_Runner
`87 Westy Syncro

vwlovr · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 2:46 pm Post subject:

candyman · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:22 pm Post subject:

hey vw lover,
if your speedo is just starting to make noise, it may be worthwhile to get in there and use some graphite to "grease" things up a bit. i did this to mine last winter as my speedo gets noisy when it is very cold. worked great and probably extended its life a while, worth a shot if you have not done this, will save you some skrill!

vwlovr · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 2:45 am Post subject:

insyncro · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:48 am Post subject:

Syncro speedos are specific to the 4wd vans.
As stated above they turn twice as fast as a 2wd speedo.

I have good used Syncro speedos for sale from parts vans.
$225 + ship.

dylan

kguarnotta

thanks for this thread -
Just for clarifiaction - is the speedo the only thing different?

I've got an '86 Syncro that has had a Subaru EJ22 installed. The dash cluster is in not the best of shape. I've already fixed some items on it - but wondering at what point I would be better off spending my money on a whole new (used/better condition) cluster.
_________________
-Kevin
Lincoln, MA

'86 Triple Knob Syncro w/EJ22
~~'78 Westy~~
'69 Single Cab
'65 Kombi - EZ-Camper


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