VW 4x4 Van Syncro???

[83 chif]

what does the trusted toyota community think of the 4x4 vw vans? the syncros? there are a ton of youtube videos that show them being pretty tough. Of course they have a high center of gravity, minimal tire clearance, and not a lot of ground clearance, but how do they do for a compromise rig for roadtrips? maybe some rough campsite roads, national park and backcountry roads, but for the most part just highway, no rubicon or moab stuff.

are they as easy to repair as vw bugs and the like? or is the drivetrain and motor harder to access in the vans?

how tough are their drivetrains? axles and the like?

anyone know anything about converting a 2wd van to a 4wd??

just looking for some insight, maybe some first hand experiences....thanks!

 

[Pogue]

I know a guy that swapped a Westy body onto a Synchro but finally got tired of the usual VW crap. I like them but have never had to depend on one. The mechanicals are fairly simple and strong for what it is.

 

[cruiser88]

Parts are rare for those models. I could be wrong but I think they only imported like 10 k of those 4 wheel drive models. On a postive note I beat the hell out of my 80 model vanagon(2 wheel drive) with a Porshe motor. Those suckers do quite well. Not a cruiser by any means but with good driving skills you will have no troubles. When you own a older vw they are fun as hell but do not depend on one as a daily driver.

There is a Westy up the road that belongs to a teacher....is is almost giving it away ......I am really tempetd

 

[iron_giant]

My dad has one with a tiico motor (2.1 L OBDII golf engine) and it's a great rig. Parts are no problem, you can get them from just about anyone but the shops catering to VW/ Audi often have them in stock. They utilize a viscous coupling much like an 80 series to transfer power to the front wheels and most come factory with a rear locker. Lift springs help a lot with tire selection and travel. In fact, a lifted version came factory (Euro Market) with 16" wheels and more travel. Stock they're pretty damn gutless and the small engines are really over-worked leading to head gasket faliures. Cooling the engine is critical and the downfall of the stockers. My dad did a really clean westfalia top conversion on a standard syncro and has built a really cool expedition rig. I've even played with it in the Hollister hills and locked up it does pretty well.