Are there Syncro's without 4WD?

[Tfrasc]

Recently talked to a seller who claims to have a '87 Syncro. They're saying that it has a manual 4-speed plus low gear (no locking rear or front).

I was under the impression that all Syncro's had 4WD, but they're saying there are different types of Syncro's. They said it used to have the Syncro sticker on it, and that it rides a little higher (almost looks like it has a lift) and that was exclusive to the Syncro. It's really nice and only has around 100,000, but it definitely has the price of a Syncro.

Are they mistaken or am I?

[mdub]

All syncros were full time AWD, not all came with locking differentials. Sounds like a non locker model is what you’re looking at.
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'86 Syncro / Reimo Poptop / EJ22

[tjet]

All syncros are 4wd (or all wheel drive). An option for a syncro was a locking diff in the front & rear. This eliminated the "differential" feature of the front & rear diffs for mud, etc.

[MarkWard]

All Syncros were 4 wheel drive. In North America many had a rear differential that could lock. Slip between front and rear was handled by a Viscous Clutch in the front differential. They had a 4 speed transmission for the street and a granny or low gear so technically it was a 5 speed.

Now years later there are a lot of variations and plenty to read. No knob, 1 knob, 2 knobs, and even 3 knobs.
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[10degnorth]

As far as I know Syncros were sold with and without lockers. Every Syncro should be AWD or 4WD. Is there a front diff? If there is it’s a syncro, if not it’s not. You can put a 4WD sticker on any van you want, doesn’t make it a Syncro though (but I wish it did ). I may be wrong but that is my understanding.
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1984 Wolfsburg Vanagon (Current Project): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=773912&highlight=

1988 Microsquirted, Wolfsburg Vanagon (Sold): https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708000&highlight=

Microsquirt Conversion Guide (Work now Discontinued): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1laXykNPbRYS8MT...2imqd2pnx7

[vanis13]

[SyncroHead]

Sometimes people have been known to put a Syncro transmission into a 2WD van. This would give the van a low ("Granny") gear and potentially a locking rear differential if the transmission were equipped with that.

Jim Davis
_________________
"A Vanagon? It's not a car or a van. It's a hobby!"

Check out:
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www.SyncroSafari.org and
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[Syncro Jael]

Mine came stock as a "Non-Locker" Syncro Westfalia built in 1987.

A couple bags of money and a bunch of labor and now it is a triple knob.

The only true 4WD Syncro's have the viscous coupler removed and a solid shaft in it's place. This takes away from the AWD capabilities of the van but has better off-road performance. I like the Sport VC that was installed. I can still use AWD when driving on paved roads in winter conditions.

A decoupler is added to "De-Couple" the front differential. This saves stress on the entire drivetrain and transaxle.

The most expensive component to replace on a Syncro is the transaxle. So if buying, be prepared! $$$
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)

[Wellington]

I think a while back, Rocky mountain westy offered a kit, changed the Syncro trans into a 2WD trans, and gave you the granny rear 2WD, and you could have a locker in that.
So factory Syncro was 4wd, but aftermarket let you put a granny in a 2wd

[D Clymer]

My first Syncro was a "rare" 2WD Syncro with granny gear and locker.

It had a viscous coupling where the silicone oil had leaked out, so it wasn't engaging the front wheels to any useful degree. Still had pretty good traction with the rear diff locked.

[RainierSyncro]

The big tell is you fill the gas tank at the rear of the van and not by the passenger door.

[campism]

Welcome! Look underneath (or have the seller send pix) and see if there's a driveshaft going forward from the rear transaxle to a front differential. Usually there will also be a framework of square tubing alongside to protect that driveline. It's possible that the driveshaft has been removed for some reason but if the front diff is there it's a Syncro or a conversion by someone.
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'87 Westy in Wolfram Grey Metallic

[4Gears4Tires]

[Syncro Jael]

[sanchius]

And for those with Syncro tastes on at 2WD budget, there's always this gem:

Budget 2WD to a Syncro conversion for $11.95

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The Syncro years (2005-16) - The 2WD years (2017-23) - Westy & WBX rebuild spreadsheet - Sanchius & Tuna: The Video
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[MsTaboo]

Syncro, it's not just a sticker.
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Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

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[4Gears4Tires]

[RainierSyncro]

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