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harvgwen Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2021 Posts: 157 Location: British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 3:11 pm Post subject: Re: In Search of the Dream (Your Vanagon) |
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Sorry SCM, but I’d hedge my bets on son enjoying camping with Dad. PT’s are easier to deal with than corrections officers and drug counsellors. _________________ 1986 Westfalia Vanagon, 2.2 Subaru
British Columbia, Canada |
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SCM Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011 Posts: 3102 Location: Bozeman MT
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Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 3:26 pm Post subject: Re: In Search of the Dream (Your Vanagon) |
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harvgwen wrote: |
Sorry SCM, but I’d hedge my bets on son enjoying camping with Dad. PT’s are easier to deal with than corrections officers and drug counsellors. |
I'm not suggesting that the boy stay home in a proper office chair! A simple, "someday that'll come back to haunt ya" might suffice. Well, maybe. I never listened to my teachers when they said that to me either. _________________ '91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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vegpedlr Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2014 Posts: 774 Location: TBD
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Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 3:45 pm Post subject: Re: In Search of the Dream (Your Vanagon) |
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Tintops are still a good deal, if you don’t need classic full Westy status. After my Westy died, I wasn’t sure I d get back in the game. I even considered other van platforms. But the mania is deep. I like the WBX, and I learned a lot from my old van. I realized the pop top was cool, but not essential and I saved the camper interior and went looking for a Tintop. I had a couple options but found one that suited me. Cosmetically scruffy but with 50k on a GW drivetrain. The PO fixed all the major stuff and kept on the maintenance until she found a Syncro. Now I’m just catching up on maintenance. The only issues needing real work were the shift linkage that failed reverse, partly my fault, an exhaust leak, tie rods, and CV joints. The only issue that upsets me are the CV joints. They should have lasted a lot longer. Everything else s just normal maintenance.
So decent vans are out there. My Blue Turtle Dreaming found me. Kinda like adopting a pet, your van just might find you.
Tangent:
This weekend I’m going to Adventure Van Expo Mt. hood to ogle the IG worthy $75K Sprinters. They’re cool and all, but at that price, are they really 10 times more van than mine? _________________ 1985 Tintop 4 sp GW 2.3 “Connie”
2006 Mk V GTI 2.0 FSI “Penelope” |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32432 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Syncro Jael Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013 Posts: 2204 Location: Utah
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Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2021 9:18 am Post subject: Re: In Search of the Dream |
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"Lived the Dream."
When my son purchased his 1985 Westy, he said "Dad, I would love us to both have a Syncro and go camping together." We did a conversion on his, buying a donor tin top Syncro and swapping the Westy top and insides. I purchased a great 1987 Syncro and for years, built what we wanted.
That dream came true and for a few years we lived it. He ended up selling his van for a down payment on a home. I am in the process of selling our cherished Syncro at the moment. It has taken us all over North America. From Newfoundland to Alaska. And we have so many good memories and it has been worth every penny. "Lots of Pennies" The friendships made and times with others has changed our lives and made us better people.
Buy it, and live it. Learn to wrench. Plan on spending double, maybe triple, what you think. Especially if you get into the Syncro realm. Go do it! Life is too short to wait.
Good luck!
Ron
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2474308 _________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)
Last edited by Syncro Jael on Wed Jun 16, 2021 2:36 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16473 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Syncro Jael Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2013 Posts: 2204 Location: Utah
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Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2021 9:34 am Post subject: Re: In Search of the Dream |
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dobryan wrote: |
Wow Ron. We will miss you LOTS!
Enjoy the sailboat though. |
We will. Thanks again for all the great times! _________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat) |
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wasatch Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2013 Posts: 41
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 9:07 am Post subject: Re: In Search of the Dream |
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That is one AWESOME rig.
I am starting to realize putting a bit of $ upfront may be advantageous in my situation. I am hoping to snag a tin top Syncro or 2WD in drivable condition. (Dreaming of a high-top)
As for inspection tips, can anyone share existing links or threads of what to look for?
Appreciate y'all. |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16473 Location: Brookeville, MD
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owokie Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2003 Posts: 532
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 12:54 pm Post subject: Re: In Search of the Dream |
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AHeppner wrote: |
That is one AWESOME rig.
I am starting to realize putting a bit of $ upfront may be advantageous in my situation. I am hoping to snag a tin top Syncro or 2WD in drivable condition. (Dreaming of a high-top)
As for inspection tips, can anyone share existing links or threads of what to look for?
Appreciate y'all. |
Take (or make) a friend who knows 'em and save yourself 30 hours of reading. I suspect most of us here know within one minute if any van is "worth it" or not. |
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dabaron Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2018 Posts: 2558 Location: Philly, mang
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 1:57 pm Post subject: Re: In Search of the Dream |
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owokie wrote: |
I suspect most of us here know within one minute if any van is "worth it" or not. |
with experience comes wisdom. i would never have tackled the Westy if i didn't cut my "chops" on the tin top. notice what Dave has been doing with that... i knew the Westy was a smart play
now that i've built up some experience, my next Vanagon will be THE one _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic
"burnin oil and cookin coils" -- Destructo
BiWerks Design, LLC |
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wasatch Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2013 Posts: 41
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 9:37 am Post subject: Re: In Search of the Dream |
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Well, Been driving some vans, and have developed (maybe confirmed?) some biases...
I need (want) a syncro... This van will be used for skiing and winter adventuring, and 4x4 is required in the areas. Chains are acceptable, but in deep snowy parking lots, it may not suffice. a GL Tin Top is what I'm after currently.
there are some great options in 2WD, and I have a few deals in motion- but something in the back of my mind is telling me spending 15-20k up front for 4WD will be better than 5-8k for 2WD and wishing it was 4WD the entire time.
Buy once, cry once?
Thoughts? Experiences? |
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pnwkayaker Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2008 Posts: 918 Location: Sammamish, WA
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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 11:12 am Post subject: Re: In Search of the Dream |
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Make sure you're completely honest with yourself (don't rely on strangers opinions, only you know how you think/feel)
- Are you truly going to use the van in such a manner that 4WD will be needed?
- Are you committed/willing to spend on (most often delayed/neglected) expensive maintenance items that the previous owner didn't do?
Doing a fast search in The Samba, there're a couple Tintop Syncros somewhat close to you that look interesting and within your budget (don't know anything about them except what's in the ad), examples:
1986 Syncro with a Subaru 2.2 conversion ($18,000)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2449132
1987 Syncro ($15,000)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2479665
I completely get the "Syncro bug" feeling, I started with a 1993 Eurovan Weekender, but then caught the Syncro bug and bought a fairly cheap Syncro Westy that the previous owner was neglecting (sold the Eurovan since I couldn't maintain both). Started maintaining/upgrading the Syncro and haven't stopped since then (started almost 13 years ago). _________________ 87 Syncro Westy EJ25 ("Tardis")
Seattle Meetup at Marymoor (link)
A collection of Simple Useful Mods (SUM) (link) |
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wasatch Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2013 Posts: 41
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 8:49 am Post subject: Re: In Search of the Dream |
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I am happy to update this thread... found it:
Details:
-1990 Syncro Westfalia
-1 owner
-Rear locker
-Original 2.1 motor with 84k
-All Original! Lightly used (see white plastic on heat shield in kitchen...)
Sat inside for 5 years. New fluids, fresh gas, tires and it drives reasonably! I did fail emissions, but I only drove it for about 5 miles before getting it tested (High HC at idle, when rev'd it's well below). I'm thinking a few hundred miles of good gas, and hunting down any hidden vacuum leaks may fix this.
Fridge doesn't work, Fresh water pump/sink is dead, shore power works though.
Any advise for a first time Syncro owner? |
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Sodo Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007 Posts: 9517 Location: Western WA
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 9:12 am Post subject: Re: In Search of the Dream |
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AHeppner wrote: |
I am happy to update this thread... found it:
Any advise for a first time Syncro owner? |
Try to wipe that silly grin off your face.
Normal people will think you're just nuts.
Nobody understands but us.
very, very nice van!!
Here's one Syncro detail to learn about your new 4x4.
Syncro transaxle shifts "slower" than 2WD transaxle _________________
'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 |
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?Waldo? Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2006 Posts: 9752 Location: Where?
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 10:01 am Post subject: Re: FOUND: In Search of the Dream |
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Change your fuel lines. |
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valvecovergasket Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2018 Posts: 1491 Location: pnw
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 10:03 am Post subject: Re: FOUND: In Search of the Dream |
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wow nice find! that thing looks like a time capsule. _________________ MegaSquirt resource - SpitfireEFI.com
gone, but not forgotten: '83 tdi westy - swap thread |
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Red Ryder Samba Member
Joined: June 26, 2021 Posts: 942 Location: Northern California
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 11:11 am Post subject: Re: FOUND: In Search of the Dream |
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Wow! What a beautiful Syncro! My guess is that your original “budget” was thrown out the window when you found this one. Congratulations! _________________ “Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland
“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition
Tornado Red |
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wasatch Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2013 Posts: 41
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 11:46 am Post subject: Re: FOUND: In Search of the Dream |
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Red Ryder wrote: |
Wow! What a beautiful Syncro! My guess is that your original “budget” was thrown out the window when you found this one. Congratulations! |
..You are correct on that one. Found it for a 'reasonable' price vs. a 20k(ish) tin-top + building it out for adventures. But hey, it's just money- right? |
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pnwkayaker Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2008 Posts: 918 Location: Sammamish, WA
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Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 12:03 pm Post subject: Re: FOUND: In Search of the Dream |
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Beautfiul Syncro, welcome to the addiction! _________________ 87 Syncro Westy EJ25 ("Tardis")
Seattle Meetup at Marymoor (link)
A collection of Simple Useful Mods (SUM) (link) |
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