16 Syncro build to follow

[ChrisPEI]

Hey guys & girls,

I purchased a rare 16" syncro panel van from Dream & Drive in NL. Its got a 2.5L water boxer, with completely brand new drive train. We are building it up as a promotional van for a new drinks brand we are launching. If you want to watch and follow along, check out Bruce's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/bruce_van_dam/

Bruce was used in a French military base to transport explosives and has spent most of its life stored inside (maybe it was in a special underground base?) so he is bone dry with no rust. Really exciting project.

I have one question for the community - as a water cooled engine, I no longer need my air intakes and I am home in Canada for the holidays and wanted to take the time and use my brothers welding shop to craft some custome covers for them, with the right side having a design (and later upgrade to a snorkel) and the left hand side I want to use for a special purpose.

I want to have it as a lockable door / hatch for 240v electrical points to the roof, as well as possible audio stereo conneciton.

Has anyone done this sort of thing before? Does anyone have precise measures for these covers they can share? I didnt think to take precise measures when I was in Netherlands.

Cheers,

Chris

[4Gears4Tires]

Sucks you're using instagram. I won't be able to see any of your pictures. They lock everyone out without an account nowadays.

Maybe you could consider using imgur to host or upload the images directly to the forums.
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'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition

[T3 Pilot]

https://www.vanagonlife.com/vanagonshop/vents
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1988 Vanagon

The most important part in every vehicle is the nut behind the wheel......

[mikemtnbike]

In the original design, the passenger air intake is still used for feeding air, although many conversions just pull it from the engine compartment. The only plug-and-play aftermarket oil cooling option also uses the air flow from the D pillar. While I like the idea of having fun with that space, it's not necessarily where I'd start, if that makes sense.

But, it's your lego block, build it your way!
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[Steve M.]

The rear vents still provide cooling air for the engine compartment and air for the engine intake as well as letting the hot air escape when you park.
You do get air in from the bottom, but why screw with a proven design?
It is also a good habit to walk past them after you park and sniff for any gasoline fumes that might indicate a leaking fuel line.
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[MarkWard]

[Phishman068]

All syncros (including syncro 16s) have a cold air intake/snorkel half way up that pillar as well as a cyclonic dust separator built inline with the air intake from the factory.
Both of those vents provide some critical cooling air to the engine bay- but one provides combustion air (Diesels that's the left, WBXers that's the right).

Cool!
Stick to instagram for sure, the largest social media platform dedicated to sharing photos. It may not be searchable, and it may not be useful to a small sector of these people- but there's a very strong vanagon culture over there. Any questions or pics you wish to archive into a build thread- this is a great place to do it (though lately, I've been just sticking to Facebook for that as well...).

You got my follow!
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559766&highlight=winter+rust
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482402&highlight=sunroof+syncro
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569774
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6864936#6864936

"Along with the ability to go fast, one looses the desire to hurry."

[ChrisPEI]

[ChrisPEI]

Bruce exterior

Bruce interior

Bruce hauling back another panel van (that was a barn find, not moved in 25 years and mint condition, contact Mark and Dream & Drive in Amsterdam)

[ChrisPEI]

Bruce being torn down for spraying and a bit of body work to repair some dings

[tarandusVDub]

Beautiful van. Following!
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1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
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Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.

[ChrisPEI]

Silver top and deep navy body...
There was a lot of debate that the blue was too dark - almost black but we stuck to our guns

[ChrisPEI]

Bruce with a full lenght front runner roof rack
And below, an LPG install for the propex and domestic needs. We later painted the tank black and have since added one more....

[pnwkayaker]

Looks great ! Any plans for the interior?
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87 Syncro Westy EJ25 ("Tardis")

Seattle Meetup at Marymoor (link)
A collection of Simple Useful Mods (SUM) (link)

[ChrisPEI]

[ChrisPEI]

And rendered with lighting

[[email protected]]

Killer, not sure what your doing with the fridge. I would have the counter above, then the chest fridge on drawer pulls. That way you can keep stuff on the counter when you need to open fridge.

[coqcitywesty]

WOW - a brave color choice on a vehicle with such large, flat panels - lots of trust in the body man. Looks entirely straight and awesome! Interior renderings are fantastic - looking forward to following the progress and more pics.
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1991 Westfalia EJ251, 1972 Volvo 1800 ES

[ChrisPEI]

[tarandusVDub]

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1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
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Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.