Syncro, conversion and body work = my dream van

[MrNeatguy]

I recently sold my 87 Vanagon after deciding to pick up a slightly damaged 89 Syncro Westfalia that was for sale. The thinking was I wanted a Subaru engine and well if I was going to go that far why not got for it and pick up the Syncro? The 89 Syncro had a little seam rust, body damage and was in in Wyoming (I live in Portland OR) so me and a couple of buddies flew out to WY to drive it back in a nice snow storm. The Teton Pass was a total blizzard and was close to being closed down due to the snow. The van was sure footed in the snow and had zero trouble traction wise. The drive back was difficult because there was an electrical problem that drained the battery to the point that the van would not start at all. So we push started it back through Idaho, however later even push starting would not work so we had to do AAA and get a recharge and never shut off the van the whole way back. I made it back to Portland and my mechanic found that the battery had the ground wire severed and was surprised we even made it back.

I hired Stephen Auto Body (http://stephensauto-body.com/) to take care of the elk hit and seam rust. If you’re looking for a good body shop in Portland Oregon to work on your Van I have zero reasons to not fully recommend Stephens shop. They were quick and the price was very reasonable for the work completed. I was worried about the seam rust originating from the inside out. They shop removed all the rust and found that it was not from the inside out, I guess I got lucky. Stephen also installed a new front windshield.

I had the shop repair the elk hit and install the South African grill, with the extra headlight I can actually now see at night. The body shop did a awesome job.

I then had some steel rims powder coated and I bought some Nokian 15 inch tires. I looked all over Portland to buy the tires but could not find them locally so ordered them from Van-Café.com . I tried to have the tired mounted and balanced at Les Schwab but they refused to do this because I bought them off the internet I tried to explain that this brand was recommended to me and I was unable to buy them locally but they were rude and total a holes to me. I could hear the guys in the garage making smart-ass comments about me buying them off the Internet. This was not a question of me being cheap, these were the tires I wanted and could not be found in town. I ended up going 2 blocks away to Firestone and they were great and took care of everything. I had them also do a full inspection of all my brakes, install wipers, alignments etc. Gave them plenty of business that the Les Schwab did not apparently want. Please support this business.

Firestone Complete Auto Care Store
Store #14117
4601 Se Powell Blvd
Portland, OR 97206-3141
(503) 777-3945

The van was looking great, not so great was the DEQ smog check because while trying to get my plates the Van failed the smog check. Since the plan was to put a new Subaru engine in no worries.

I was thinking of having the motor replaced locally but after checking with 3 or 4 local shops I opted to have www.smallcar.com do the conversion. I own a small business and have zero time to do any work on my van, well even if I had time to work on it, it is completely out of my know how to do so. Brian at Smallcar.com answered all my questions. They guys at smallcar were quick and got the job done. Brian was very accommodating, knowing that I had no plates and was unable to take to day off to get the van to their shop he arranged for a flat bed to pick it up and drive it to him in Tacoma.

I had a 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5l engine installed; it had about 1500 miles on the engine so like new.

The other items I had them install was the SS exhaust, propane heater, scan gauge and the small car white gauges. I have no reason to not fully recommend the conversion from Smallcar.com

During the conversion this pieces was recovered from the transmission fluid. Brian recommended that the transmission be rebuilt while everything was apart. Ok well over budget now

I have had the van for a week now and I could not be happier. The sensation of accelerating while going UP a hill was awesome. Plenty of power, speed and the gas mileage is better. The only negative thing I can report is the clutch is more sensitive and the transmission has a louder whining sound. Reverse was odd as well and took some getting use to.
I already have 4 camping trips planned (I have a 6 year old daughter who loved the first van) and we cannot wait.

Yes everything cost a lot of dough but the van is pretty much my dream van and has some good resale value, we are sure to have tons of fun using it. I have had it one week and already have harvested one "I would like to buy your van" windshield note

[joetiger]

Astonishingly good! Congratulations!
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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

[wjjr]

SWEET!!! To you sir.
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'90 Vanagon Carat auto x2
'87 Vanagon Gl Syncro
'85 Vanagon Wolfsburg Weekender (poptop)

[epaddler]

[markz2004]

jesus. It's like you have a brand new van.

Nice job!!
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87 Westy, 250k GW 2.4 - 2.0 , 16" wheels

[JeffDenson]

Great job! you are where I want to be! Sweet!

[Sir Sam]

Good looking van.
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'91 Carat Westy

87' Syncro + '87 Westy conversion coming soon

[ALIKA T3]

Amazing what money can do

Neat van!! It is very beautiful and hope you'll enjoy it more and more.

How much did you pay the base?

Have fun!
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Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget

[240Gordy]

hope you have many happy miles, and many happy days of camping.
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Tencentlife said,
"So, now that you know what you're doing, go to town."
2010 GOLF TRENDLINE 2.5
1985 GL now with more! a 2.1L
H&R SPORT(RED) Springs FRONT , SLAM SPECIALTIES RE6 AIRBAGS REAR

[MrNeatguy]

[dobryan]

[MrNeatguy]

[John Of the north]

Boy that makes me green with envy. One of the things I like about this board are all of the stories of people that enjoy these things so much they'll find a way to extend a van's life and usefulness. I don't think you need to justify spending the money you spent getting this done. I'd do the same thing if I could. Great van.

[dobryan]

[guggenheim]

Nice looking Syncro.

I totally agree with your thoughts about the Les Schwab on SE Powell. That is the worst tire shop in town. They really give Les Schwab a bad name. The one located on SW Canyon Road is great!

[Oceanpro907]

After four months of tearing all the old stuff out of my syncro to complete the restoration....And two months of wokring every weekend and eveings ahead....I think you made a wise investment of your time by paying someone else to do it right.
not that doing a complete restoration yourself is not a rewarding journey, but it is a fairly burtal undertaking.....Of course i spent the weekend on my back spaying bed liner on the under carrage....

Anyway, really nice Syncro, I am sure it will be great for you.

[1621]

Hot Damn! Way to get it done. Knew exactly what you wanted and had it custom built to your specs. I like. Hope to see you around town, or maybe at the next PDX meet-up.
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'85 Westy