OT: Any Synchro Vanagon Owners, Current or used to. |
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OT: Any Synchro Vanagon Owners, Current or used to. |
Rhodes71/914 |
Mar 22 2005, 10:43 PM
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#1
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Glacier Group: Members Posts: 1,374 Joined: 8-August 04 From: End of the Road, Alaska Member No.: 2,482 |
Always thought a 4WD VW van would be a cool thing to have. I am aware of most of the common probs with the late 80s Vanagons and that repairs on the synchro can be expensive.
Just looking for opinions on owning/driving them. |
scotty914 |
Mar 22 2005, 10:53 PM
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#2
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suby torque rules Group: Members Posts: 1,525 Joined: 20-July 03 From: maryland, the land of 25 year Member No.: 924 |
i would say go to the yahoo subaru vanagon page, but they all love em there... kind of biased.
you would save money in the long run and do a suby conversion, more hp and longer life |
Rhodes71/914 |
Mar 22 2005, 11:01 PM
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#3
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Glacier Group: Members Posts: 1,374 Joined: 8-August 04 From: End of the Road, Alaska Member No.: 2,482 |
I would like to pick one up for a decent price that has engine troubles or a bad engine and do the subby conversion. That would be optimal.
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Maltese Falcon |
Mar 22 2005, 11:03 PM
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#4
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,641 Joined: 14-September 04 From: Mulholland SoCal Member No.: 2,755 Region Association: None |
They are way cool, even more so with a 3.2 Carrera in it. Check out the Range Panzer Syncro, my driver since 1990...currently offered for sale @ www.recycler.com , check around the VW van section. Also a small photo of it in the Project Vehicle section of our site...clickee below (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif)
High point of driving it is winching other 4 by 4s out of mud/ sand (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/screwy.gif) It crosses creeks readilly also ! MF |
p914 |
Mar 22 2005, 11:35 PM
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#5
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 518 Joined: 7-September 03 From: Sunny South Florida Member No.: 1,117 Region Association: None |
Excellent clearance.
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Maltese Falcon |
Mar 23 2005, 09:55 AM
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#6
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,641 Joined: 14-September 04 From: Mulholland SoCal Member No.: 2,755 Region Association: None |
Hey, those used to come in pairs ( avatar) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif)
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Rhodes71/914 |
Mar 23 2005, 10:14 AM
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#7
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Glacier Group: Members Posts: 1,374 Joined: 8-August 04 From: End of the Road, Alaska Member No.: 2,482 |
Now that is cool (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/drooley.gif) Need more info. |
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solex |
Mar 23 2005, 10:19 AM
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#8
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 789 Joined: 12-January 05 From: Long Island, NY Member No.: 3,439 Region Association: North East States |
I did not have the AWD version but owned an 84 and 91 and they were great utility vehicles and very comfortable.
I put a set a Audi A8 wheels on my 91 and it handled well. The only problem is the engine being underpowered and its tendency to leak coolant, thru the gaskets. Bleeding the cooling system is a treat. Also the engines run very poorly if there is the slightest air leak, and is usually not easily diagnosed. Check out vanagon.com and if the mailing list is still active subscribe to it. The list was very helpful. I also have an excellent Bentley repair manual for sale. |
jasons |
Mar 23 2005, 10:59 AM
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#9
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Jackstand Extraordinaire Group: Members Posts: 2,002 Joined: 19-August 04 From: Scottsdale, AZ Member No.: 2,573 Region Association: None |
I want one of the crew cab versions. They are hard to find and expensive when you do.
(IMG:http://www.syncro.org/sitephotos/Seikelracing.JPG) |
banderson |
Mar 23 2005, 04:42 PM
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#10
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Member Group: Members Posts: 88 Joined: 22-August 03 From: Massachusetts Member No.: 1,064 |
My dad had one. I took it on a few trips. Power was good enough, but not impressive.
My biggest complaint was the gearing. It hit yellow line at 65 mph. I hate driving a car that tells me how fast to drive. |
Katmanken |
Mar 23 2005, 07:10 PM
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#11
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You haven't seen me if anybody asks... Group: Members Posts: 4,738 Joined: 14-June 03 From: USA Member No.: 819 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
Parts are expen$ive.
I believe the front rotors are $600 and only fit the syncro, not the 2wd Vanagons. Also have a reputation of beign hard to work on- compared to the 2wd. There are big plates on the underside that get in the way of servicing everything. I love my Vanagon, but it's not a syncro. 4k rpm at 70mph (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif) Ken |
MecGen |
Mar 23 2005, 08:08 PM
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#12
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8 Easy Steps Group: Members Posts: 848 Joined: 8-January 05 From: Laval, Canada Member No.: 3,421 |
Hi
I can speak for the Wests, I fix a lot of them. Waterboxer, buy it with the assumption the motor is f**ked, this way you won't be disappointed when your coolant falls out. I looked into a VW co that used to make a kit for a 1.8 or 2.0l regular Golf motor, heavy oil pan mod because the motor was tilted to fit. with a rebiult motor - core included, 5000$ installed. Just a bit over a "real" waterboxer rebiuld would cost. good luck with it Joe (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif) |
Rhodes71/914 |
Dec 29 2005, 12:16 PM
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#13
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Glacier Group: Members Posts: 1,374 Joined: 8-August 04 From: End of the Road, Alaska Member No.: 2,482 |
Haven't had any 914 content to contribute due to the fact that there is snow on the ground and I won't be driving it for a few more months. But I did pick this up while visiting the in-laws in Salt Lake. Now all I have to do is make the long drive back to Alaska.
(IMG:http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/236880.jpg) Pic from PO before I got the van. 87 Syncro with diff lock. Poor thing was dirty as hell but in decent mechanical condition with the original 2.1 wasserboxer in it. A subby conversion will happen when this one dies. I'll post some pics of the transformation soon. Anybody want to ride to Alaska in a couple of weeks? |
r_towle |
Dec 29 2005, 12:37 PM
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#14
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Custom Member Group: Members Posts: 24,574 Joined: 9-January 03 From: Taxachusetts Member No.: 124 Region Association: North East States |
please provide a link either on your web site or here that shows your ranger panzer for sale... Im sorry, but recycler.com is a PITA to use. Rich |
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dimitri |
Feb 9 2006, 04:16 PM
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#15
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dimitri Group: Members Posts: 101 Joined: 16-March 05 From: Cupertino,CA Member No.: 3,769 |
Great looking Syncro Camper. I have one, 86 syncro for more than 14 years,
bought used with 100k miles, just stock Van. Installed a Subaru XT6 engine into Van, 2.7 l 6 cylinder. Could have done it with a 6 cylinder Porsche engine, but water heating is hard to beat. Great for snow, travell, camping and hauling. Very reliable and a blast to drive, now has over 240K miles, but still solid. Use wheel spacer and 15" Porsche phone dials. Next step will be installation of of larger brakes. Dimitri smilieDimitri (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif) |
Quilmes |
Feb 9 2006, 07:27 PM
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#16
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Torino 380 W Group: Members Posts: 358 Joined: 26-January 05 From: Orlando, FL Member No.: 3,510 |
Here are a few that I have found and like the way they look.
Not all are Campers on the photos. Quilmes Attached image(s) |
Quilmes |
Feb 9 2006, 07:28 PM
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#17
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Torino 380 W Group: Members Posts: 358 Joined: 26-January 05 From: Orlando, FL Member No.: 3,510 |
more engine is a 2.5 flat 4cyl turbo
Attached image(s) |
Quilmes |
Feb 9 2006, 07:28 PM
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#18
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Torino 380 W Group: Members Posts: 358 Joined: 26-January 05 From: Orlando, FL Member No.: 3,510 |
engine shot
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Quilmes |
Feb 9 2006, 07:29 PM
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#19
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Torino 380 W Group: Members Posts: 358 Joined: 26-January 05 From: Orlando, FL Member No.: 3,510 |
Here is a Syncro with a 3.3Li Subaru SVX engine
Attached image(s) |
Quilmes |
Feb 9 2006, 07:31 PM
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#20
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Torino 380 W Group: Members Posts: 358 Joined: 26-January 05 From: Orlando, FL Member No.: 3,510 |
Silver Bus brakes, I think that they are on up-side down??? But still looks great.
I might just build one. Attached image(s) |
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