Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
My 1976 Riviera.......syncro
Page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
KrisBalfe
Samba Member


Joined: December 06, 2004
Posts: 831
Location: SLC
KrisBalfe is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 9:59 pm    Post subject: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

In response to another thread about how many hacks one bus can have, more than you could imagine.
I regret not starting a build thread at the time I started the build as another site made me realize so maybe if you want to see a fool meander down the rabbit hole this thread is for you.
A brief history on how this came to be...
Having driven nothing but split campers for the majority of my life I had never thought I would be driving anything but, then my son came along and something began to change. Long story somewhat short I sold off my splits and purchased a 1976 riviera from Tom Toms in Moab. Got it running and loved the way it felt, even the spirit of the bus. Old habits die hard though so I began buying bays like mad, built and drove a 77 Westy and back burn'rd the Riviera. The Westy just didn't have the feel I was lookin for and I sold it, landed in a vanagon. Loved the heat! The way it drove reminded me of the feel of a split and comfort of a bay...
Now I have always taken my buses of the beaten path and suddenly an old friend showed up in a tin top syncro. This was the beginning of the end, I needed a syncro. I also always missed that Riviera so my dumb drunk ass came up with the brilliant idea to make my riviera into a syncro.
The first attempt was using a eurovan t4 front end with a chunk of the center removed and other misc modifications involved, building a rear end out of imagination, vanagon parts and magic. I got as far as having all four wheels on the ground and driveline mocked in before the realization hit me that I abuse my buses and am not a mechanical engineer. Scrapped this idea, bought a split and drove it for a summer, then another vanagon westy to try to fill that hole. That didn't work and my Riviera just kept burning its embers in the recesses of my mind. Plan B. Bought a syncro tin top, built a new garage and began the work of cutting it down to its chassis, built a makeshift lift in my garage that could hold the bus 3.5' off the ground without touching any of the undercarriage and began removing everything I hoped I wouldn't need. I feel pretty safe in the assumption that I am at the summit of this project and about to start the downhill slope to camping and snowboarding with the family. Feel free to have a look, chastise me or whatever you like.
Thanks,
Kris.

I'll post a few pictures but if you've got time to kill...
https://www.facebook.com/kris.balfe.5/posts/1331906980157124?hc_location=ufi




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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This was my first attempt

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is where we are at now, I'll update as I go if there is interest in the project
Thanks for looking.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
KentABQ Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: September 11, 2016
Posts: 2406
Location: Albuquerque NM
KentABQ is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 01, 2017 10:12 pm    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

Shocked

After reading that first post, I'm never going to complain about my Riviera.
That's quite an undertaking! Can't wait to see the progress.
_________________
-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!"
---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
Very Happy Shocked Mad Sad Embarassed d'oh! Pray Brick wall Pray Dancing Dancing Dancing ---williamM
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Stuartzickefoose
Samba Post Whore


Joined: February 07, 2008
Posts: 10350
Location: SoCal for now...
Stuartzickefoose is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 2:09 am    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

Back from retirement to watch this...Wink

When it's done we shall talk again...give me a call anytime to bounce ideas around!
_________________
Stuart Zickefoose

2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual

206-841-7324
[email protected]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
notchboy
Samba Member


Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22416
Location: Escondido CA
notchboy is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 10:07 am    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

Kris,

Really? You know we are chomping at the bit here to see this beast going. Laughing
_________________
t3kg wrote:

OK, this thread is over. You win.

Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1964 1500 S
1964 T34 S Convertible
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
KrisBalfe
Samba Member


Joined: December 06, 2004
Posts: 831
Location: SLC
KrisBalfe is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 11:50 am    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

The current hurdle I'm facing is clutch and brake pedals and going ons.
I removed all of the undercarriage supporting all the levers and such ( plan E) and was hoping to install them in approximately the same location. I was pretty happy with the booster location and began patting my self on the back, because I'm pretty much done at this point right? Wrong.

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

Once I fit the skid plate my miscalculation was obvious

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

That's easy enough to fix...

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

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

Just notch it and move the support up a bit, God I'm a badass. I'll be
Driving in no time!

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

Just take this thingy and attach it to the booster, pedal to thingy and we are on our way.
What a fool I am, turns out you can't just place levers Willy nilly and expect them to do your bidding. The geometry was way off. After many attempts and different placements
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I found a system that would work....ish with gussets,angles,pivots,springs and stops abounding. Basically it would look like shit and probably function similarly.


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

From the ashes...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
KrisBalfe
Samba Member


Joined: December 06, 2004
Posts: 831
Location: SLC
KrisBalfe is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 11:53 am    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

notchboy wrote:
Kris,

Really? You know we are chomping at the bit here to see this beast going. Laughing


I probably should have made a thread, if for no other reason just to look back at all of my foolishness. I hope to be driving it this summer, but would be happy if it's done by fall.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
wcfvw69 Premium Member
Samba Purist


Joined: June 10, 2004
Posts: 13383
Location: Arizona
wcfvw69 is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 12:03 pm    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

Holy crap Shocked

I'm exhausted looking at all the work. One thing for sure, when you get it all figured out and dialed in, it's going to be badass.
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc

Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**


Last edited by wcfvw69 on Sun Apr 02, 2017 1:18 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
MorkC68
Samba Member


Joined: December 23, 2015
Posts: 610
Location: Nottingham, England
MorkC68 is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 12:53 pm    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

superb project Kris, keep the updates coming! Hope you get it running successfully Smile
_________________
Major; 1977 Westfalia Campmobile
- Subaru EJ20
- Koni Classic adjustable dampers & Empi Heavy Duty Anti Roll Bar
- 180W Solar System

My blog: https://twolatebays.wordpress.com/
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
orwell84
Samba Member


Joined: May 14, 2007
Posts: 2528
Location: Plattsburgh, New York
orwell84 is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 3:23 pm    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

This thread is a best advertisement for a Subaru swap that I have ever seen...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
KrisBalfe
Samba Member


Joined: December 06, 2004
Posts: 831
Location: SLC
KrisBalfe is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 02, 2017 9:14 pm    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

orwell84 wrote:
This thread is a best advertisement for a Subaru swap that I have ever seen...


I'd been playing with the idea of a Subaru swap, even bought a 2.2l
But decided on the 2.0 aba, just bought a Jetta with 87000 on the clock for it
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
KrisBalfe
Samba Member


Joined: December 06, 2004
Posts: 831
Location: SLC
KrisBalfe is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 6:42 pm    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

Initially I'd thrown this idea to the wayside pretty quickly even though I liked the idea of the brakes being set up the same way in my bay as they were in the syncro. It just seemed like there was an issue with space, but after my attempt at getting the booster and pedals set up more like the bay went astray I decided to create space.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

That is as ugly as it looks

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


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


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

I saved a bunch of odds and ends from the syncro when I cut it up and this piece happened to be kicking around in my metal box.
The first plan was to research the likelihood of running a Jetta booster and master in the bus because the size would not have been so much of an issue. Gave up on that pretty quickly because it just didn't feel right. Considered running the vanagon booster and bus master with a remote fill mounted on the dash.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Feeling pretty good about the fit and dash in and out about 10 times confirmed the vanagon booster and master will fit like a charm

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

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

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


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


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

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

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

I will need to fit the vanagon speedo cluster though, but that was always on the table
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
TDCTDI
Samba Advocatus Diaboli


Joined: August 31, 2013
Posts: 12815
Location: North Carolina
TDCTDI is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 6:49 pm    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

Hot rodders like to use a brake booster from a mustang (8")I think, it's a smaller diameter that may work underneath if you choose to go that route again.
_________________
Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.


GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!


An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.


Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
KrisBalfe
Samba Member


Joined: December 06, 2004
Posts: 831
Location: SLC
KrisBalfe is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 6:54 pm    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

TDCTDI wrote:
Hot rodders like to use a brake booster from a mustang (8")I think, it's a smaller diameter that may work underneath if you choose to go that route again.

Thanks for the heads up. I looked into those, and even the side mount under dash and remote boosters were on the list. Biggest problem was the pedal assembly. All of the bay frame is removed and the steering arm/box run right in the space where the levers would be. Everything lines perfectly this time.
Fuck yeah. Until the next problem I suppose.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
KrisBalfe
Samba Member


Joined: December 06, 2004
Posts: 831
Location: SLC
KrisBalfe is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 2:54 pm    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

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

This is definitely a big check off of the list. Vacuum line and hard lines hooked up. Should all be finish work from here on out. Other than wiring.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
KrisBalfe
Samba Member


Joined: December 06, 2004
Posts: 831
Location: SLC
KrisBalfe is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 3:29 pm    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

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


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


Fuse block location settled.

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

Steering roughed in

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

Pedals situated and functional
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
I'm so high right now.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
KrisBalfe
Samba Member


Joined: December 06, 2004
Posts: 831
Location: SLC
KrisBalfe is offline 

PostPosted: Wed May 10, 2017 10:06 pm    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

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

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

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

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

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

Just a little bit of work lately.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Spike0180
Samba Member


Joined: June 06, 2015
Posts: 2269
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Spike0180 is offline 

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2017 7:25 am    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

Looking sweet man. Build Build Build.
_________________
Brutis Patches Izabich: 1970 VW Transporter - 1776cc DP
Current State: Projects never truly end...
Location: Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Other cars: 2003 F150, 2003 Jetta GLI vr6-6sp

Sambastic: adj; the quality of being nit picky, elitist, expecting everyone to do things the way they believe is best with no regard to situation, "sambastic"
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Globespotter
Samba Member


Joined: February 16, 2012
Posts: 1765
Location: Newmarket, ON
Globespotter is offline 

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2017 7:54 am    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

You realize you are b@tsh!t crazy right? Looks like fun!
_________________
1977 Westfalia - October 2015 - Current
1971 Super Beetle - May 2012 - Current
1979 Westfalia - 1986-1991
1971 Super Beetle - 1977-1980

1971 SB Survivor Story: https://globespotter.com/
Road Trip Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=511800&highlight=
My 77 Westy Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647114&highlight=

http://vw-mplate.com/mcode.php?lang=EN&id=30990
https://vw-type2-id.xyz/mplate/72067382
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
roland
Samba Member


Joined: October 25, 2006
Posts: 353

roland is offline 

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2017 8:13 am    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

Are you going to paint it? please dont paint it.
_________________
Also, vanagons!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
aircooledguy
Samba Member


Joined: January 24, 2003
Posts: 208
Location: Gridley, CA
aircooledguy is offline 

PostPosted: Thu May 11, 2017 8:25 am    Post subject: Re: My 1976 Riviera.......syncro Reply with quote

KrisBalfe wrote:
I'm so high right now.

But we're all enjoying the trip!
_________________
'68 Roadrunner Double Door Camper
'55 Porsche Spyder replica by Beck
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
Page 1 of 5

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.