Would you walk from a Syncro that looks like this?

[livethevanlife]

Considering taking on this rusty syncro project but trying to determine if its something I should do or walk from. Its in Florida, came from Colorado. The seller claims the engine needs the "Water Jacket" repaired and its a $1200 job. The motor looks terrible to me as does the underside, I can see what looks like the sway bar link broken in one photo. Says the transmission was rebuilt along with the engine 6 years ago. Id like to buy this and possibly turn into a off road beater, or make it nice and put a high top on it. Thoughts?

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www.LiveTheVanLife.com
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https://www.PeaceVans.com/baja
1991 Syncro Triple Knob Westfalia "Miki" 2.2WBX
1992 Syncro Triple Knob Tintop "Schnitzel" 1.9AAZ
1990 Syncro Rear Locker Doka Subi 2.2
1974 VW Thing 1835cc
1989 VW Carat

[Zeitgeist 13]

If it has a rear locker, then it's probably below market value, at least out here on the left coast. I've seen much worse go for a lot more.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[joetiger]

It doesn't look too much worse than the one I recently bought. Just be aware that it's going to need everything. Every nut and bolt I've touched on mine snaps. But on the positive side, it's a great time to replace hardware, and better that stuff breaks in my garage and not on the road somewhere.

I think that tin-top Syncros in bad to poor shape are getting parted for 2wd to Syncro conversions when they can still be saved and enjoyed. I don't know if that's delusional thinking brought on by rust poisoning, but I'm going with it.
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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

[syncrodoka]

Trans cases are probably rotten too.
Even if it is bought as a donor EVERYTHING will need to be gone through to take care of rot.
You are going to spend a lot of time/money/effort on this van if you are going to attempt to make it nice, even more than you think.

[alaskadan]

Buy it before someone else does.

[livethevanlife]

[shagginwagon83]

[syncro surf]

Did I miss the asking price? I don't see it anywhere.

[kbeefy]

me too. How much?
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86 syncro CHC, NorthWesty subbie 2.5, decoupler, locker, custom interior, 225/75r16 Duratrack's on CLK's, Toyo cabin heater, ARB fridge, 300w Zamp Solar, Gowesty bumpers/skid/rails, Fiama awning

'86 Syncro Westy. Stock for now.

2000 F350 7.3 CC LB 11' Northland Cabover

2006 Subbie OBXT

2002 Tacoma DoubleCab 4x4

1969 Mustang Basket Case 351c/FMX/9

http://kbeefy.blogspot.com/

[syncrodoka]

It said $4k earlier

[joetiger]

Rusty Syncro Inspiration:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569774&highlight=shakedown++syncro
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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

[Sodo]

That would sell quick in Seattle
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'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

[alaskadan]

[photogdave]

If you buy it for 4K you'd be putting 12-14K into it to make it decent. I'd just buy a nicer van for 15K and save the hassle.
I would buy that POS for $1500 and take it to all the events and give it a good thrashing!
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89 Syncro GL Westfalia 2.1 WBX/WBXaustSS

My Westy Movies:
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photogdave On YouTube

Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[IdahoDoug]

Boy that's a tough call. At 4k plus getting it home you've spent too much on it to just fix a car a little and drive the wheels off it. But to get it into shape you'll be able to rely on it in conditions the Syncro aspect would benefit you (moderate offroading plus) you'll need to spend an enormous amount of money.

I agree see if you can get it for much less and have some money room to get it into a driver. At $4k it will hit $8k total just to be a rusty driver. $15k to have it in mechanical nick to stray offroad without fear of a breakdown. I'd feel better getting it for $1500 and for $5500 having a rusty driver tintop. I dunno - don't get Syncro fever.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[16CVs]

I'd buy it if given a chance, I'd combine it with my Rusty Orly blue Westy and have a Rusty Orly blue Syncro Westy.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[candyman]

$4k is the tip of the iceberg as everyone has pointed out. As rusty as it is it will take a lot of work and $$ to make it decent. Even then you will still be driving it thinking to yourself how rusty it still is underneath all that expensive work. However, get it cheap, get it safe and rally it for what it is! Id roll it

[Abscate]

You'll be walking from it soon either way, the only question is if you own it


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.ssS!

[joetiger]

A very wise Syncro sage once told me, "No matter how much you pay for them, all Syncros cost $25k." I once believed that it was a high figure; now I'm not so sure. But, I was prepared for these harsh realities going in. Over time, it's still less expensive than a monthly payment and all that goes with it.
_________________
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

[danfromsyr]

Like land they aren't making any more..
~14,ooo Syncro units produced US/Canadian market from 1985-1991

but what everyone else is saying.. is true.. that will be a $25k syncro with no return on your time and resources vs a $25k syncro.. if you are better at giving years of your life away from family, events, friends vs $$ then go for it..

the difference between a yard with a hole in it and a yard without a hole in it is just where the dirt is and efforts taken.


EDIT: I mis remembered syncro production numbers.
US/Canadian market 2.1 (95 BHP Catalyser) 14,233