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KrisBalfe Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2004 Posts: 832 Location: SLC
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Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 12:12 pm Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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Building the support structure for the radiator and skid plate/ opening up the area for the radiator and fans.
Making the skid plate from an old bug tow bar. Adding hinges so it can open up for easy access to service radiator/steering/shifting when needed.
Repurposed and changed the bends on vanagon seat brackets to mount radiator
Sits about the same as a stock Syncro tire carrier.
This is basically how it will be, just need to finish and add bracing to the structure.
Fits well with the front bumper although I did need to remove about 1/4” of material from the bottom of the blade to account for opening and closing |
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panel Samba Member
Joined: December 02, 2001 Posts: 1091 Location: Victoria B.C. Canada
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Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 12:52 pm Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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Maybe a little mesh......chicken wire type material over the rad also ? _________________ My '65-Subaru EJ20 Turbo conversion |
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KrisBalfe Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2004 Posts: 832 Location: SLC
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Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 1:02 pm Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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panel wrote: |
Maybe a little mesh......chicken wire type material over the rad also ? |
Indeed. 👍🏼 |
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mandraks Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2004 Posts: 7050 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
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Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 1:36 pm Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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KrisBalfe wrote: |
panel wrote: |
Maybe a little mesh......chicken wire type material over the rad also ? |
Indeed. 👍🏼 |
maybe a nice little sturdy skid plate with some pretty dimple die speed holes? _________________ regards
Uli
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'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel |
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KrisBalfe Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2004 Posts: 832 Location: SLC
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Posted: Sun May 02, 2021 3:58 pm Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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mandraks wrote: |
KrisBalfe wrote: |
panel wrote: |
Maybe a little mesh......chicken wire type material over the rad also ? |
Indeed. 👍🏼 |
maybe a nice little sturdy skid plate with some pretty dimple die speed holes? |
Definitely look into that. I bought the go westy skid plates for my bay syncro but never got around to installing them. I’ll have to see how those line up as well.
The tire tray took a beating which is why I decided to frame it up with something a bit more substantial. Now I’ll have to figure out the best compromise between strength and airflow. |
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tisius Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 1570 Location: Rotterdam,NL (+Chicago,IL)
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1970PAKombi Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2019 Posts: 264 Location: Denver, PA
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Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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This build truly is one of my favorites. I love coming here every time an update is posted. Keep up the great work. |
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KrisBalfe Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2004 Posts: 832 Location: SLC
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Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 8:11 pm Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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Wow. That is a pretty sweet camper. Still playing around with ideas on how to design the kit for my family. I’ll get a bit more serious about that after paint and assembly. New goal is to paint the bus and install all suspension by the end of June. 🤞🏼 |
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mandraks Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2004 Posts: 7050 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
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Posted: Thu May 06, 2021 6:10 am Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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KrisBalfe wrote: |
...
Wow. That is a pretty sweet camper. Still playing around with ideas on how to design the kit for my family. I’ll get a bit more serious about that after paint and assembly. New goal is to paint the bus and install all suspension by the end of June. 🤞🏼 |
since it is a double door bus with a walk through there are not many choices, unless you put cabinets over the engine access hatch.
i think westy bed(s) and tables at the doors, maybe a sink attached to one door and a cooker attached to another? Do everything outside (tent) and sleep inside.
just have the long closet on one side next to the westy bed?
No fridge. just a big icebox you put in the tent as soon as you get there. _________________ regards
Uli
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'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel |
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KrisBalfe Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2004 Posts: 832 Location: SLC
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Posted: Thu May 06, 2021 9:20 am Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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Have certainly been thinking about cabinets on the doors as an option. Built this stove cabinet for my flip seat a lifetime ago and it never let me down.
I have a few thoughts, but design would definitely be easier for two people instead of four. Oh well, who doesn’t love a challenge? |
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zehbeh Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2008 Posts: 249 Location: Stuttgart
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Posted: Thu May 06, 2021 11:03 pm Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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KrisBalfe wrote: |
Oh well, who doesn’t love a challenge? |
Haha, that's good. My first thought was, that building some cabinets must be a real challenge for s.o. who builds a syncro split bus. |
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KrisBalfe Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2004 Posts: 832 Location: SLC
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Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2021 9:12 pm Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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I am definitely not going to make it to paint by the end of June. I always forget how much I despise summer, anything over 75* is too much and after working all day in the heat I am unable to bring myself to get out to the garage very often.
Accomplished a few minimal things but I suspect it’ll be late august before I get serious again.
Steering has been crossed off of the list using mostly stock Syncro parts and a little trimming.
Blackline racing was able to hook me up with an OG power steering rack.👍🏼
Found some great commercial truck tires for the 16” wheels just before I
Located some 15” wheels with the correct offset, oh well I guess I have a classy
Back up set if I don’t feel like running the Ko2’s
Like the look of that transmission in there. |
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SplitBusVanatic Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2005 Posts: 338 Location: Co. Mayo. Ireland
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Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 1:42 pm Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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They look like EuroVan wheels or T4 as well call them over this side of the pond.
Great thread. Keep it going. |
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edgood1 Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2004 Posts: 2049 Location: Plymouth, MA
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 3:28 am Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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This is just plain awesome. You've done so many things on this build that I've thought about doing. It's great to see them done so well. I can't wait to see more progress. _________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Panel to Deluxe Bus project :::: (photo album)
'65 Westfalia |
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obieoberstar Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 1127 Location: Tucson
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2021 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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excellent project
you're making it look easy.
great details. |
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notchboy Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 22461 Location: Escondido CA
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KrisBalfe Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2004 Posts: 832 Location: SLC
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2021 7:02 am Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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Looks like someone out there went the race taxi way.
For sale on Facebook, had a friend send me the link. |
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Blue Baron VW Aficionado
Joined: June 16, 2006 Posts: 24115 Location: Southeast USA
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Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 12:03 am Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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Making the body fit the chassis rather than making the chassis fit the body.
KrisBalfe wins. _________________ We are striving for perfection, to make our cars run forever, if possible.
Heinz Nordhoff |
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KrisBalfe Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2004 Posts: 832 Location: SLC
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Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2021 9:26 pm Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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Haven’t been very good at documenting the process but have been making some good progress.
Narrowed front diff and suspension subframe
Diff mount narrowed also
It’s working… it’s working..
These were unexpectedly beat to hell
Thankful to all the vendors providing necessary parts
Took some material out to compensate for the larger offset wheels
Prepped
Raptor lined and seam sealed
Can’t wait to be driving this thing
Suspension going on. |
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Mr. OGPaint Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2010 Posts: 823 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2021 10:22 pm Post subject: Re: Making my 1961 Riviera syncro |
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monumentous progress, good job _________________ https://instagram.com/mr.ogpaint
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Patrick Hall |
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