My Westfalia Syncro!

[Christian P.]

Zuren,

As long as your wallet is thick enough, Gowesty.com and van-cafe.com have all the parts you need. New parts are added all the time and right now we are getting close to be able to replace every single item on a Vanagon. People are getting very creative building parts for OEM that are no-longer sold by VW.

Average fuel mileage on a 3000 miles trip across the continent was about 16-17 mpg.

 

[Chadman]

Man this thread sucks now I want a VW again! I had so many good, and bad experiences with them in the past (fires, blown engines, naivety etc.) that I turned and went with Toyota. Wish I had never seen this. Now I want to sell my 4Runner and get a Westy Syncro!

Here's a pic of the last (out of 7) VW's I had. NEVER should have sold it!

 

[SWbySWesty]

This is very cool. Did you use Craigslist to find it? I talked to Jim about his trip and it sounded fun! The gf likes it too and wants to head across the US and Alaska with it...thoughts?

 

[Christian P.]

Time for an update!

The Syncro spent the last summer in Canada.
My sister has been using it with her family.

As usual, a few issues arised this summer.
The transmission had to be rebuild twice because of the 4th gear popping out. Some work on the brakes and the rear wheel bearings.

It now runs perfectly. No vibration and the engine pulls really nice.

I brought it back to my parents and got it prepped for the winter storage - including a full bath. I cannot believe how the interior has stayed nice over the last 25 years. The quality and engineering of these campers is like nothing else. People have no clue that it is so old.

Today while going through my old papers, I found the phone number of the original owner who sold it to my 10 years ago. He sold it because he was getting too old to enjoy it - he was in his early 70s if I remember correctly.
I took a chance and dialed the phone number on the sale contract.
His wife answered.

They are both still in great shape and were so excited to get some news! She said that her husband still regurlarly talks about it.
It made me feel really good and I sent them some recent pictures.
I could tell how happy they were to have an update to know that the van was still around.

So I guess there won't be any other update until next spring...I am really looking forward to take it down to Eastern Canada some day, perhaps doing the new Trans Labrador highway.

 

[slooowr6]

Time for an update!

The Syncro spent the last summer in Canada.
My sister has been using it with her family.

As usual, a few issues arised this summer.
The transmission had to be rebuild twice because of the 4th gear popping out. Some work on the brakes and the rear wheel bearings.

It now runs perfectly. No vibration and the engine pulls really nice.

I brought it back to my parents and got it prepped for the winter storage - including a full bath. I cannot believe how the interior has stayed nice over the last 25 years. The quality and engineering of these campers is like nothing else. People have no clue that it is so old.

Today while going through my old papers, I found the phone number of the original owner who sold it to my 10 years ago. He sold it because he was getting too old to enjoy it - he was in his early 70s if I remember correctly.
I took a chance and dialed the phone number on the sale contract.
His wife answered.

They are both still in great shape and were so excited to get some news! She said that her husband still regurlarly talks about it.
It made me feel really good and I sent them some recent pictures.
I could tell how happy they were to have an update to know that the van was still around.

So I guess there won't be any other update until next spring...I am really looking forward to take it down to Eastern Canada some day, perhaps doing the new Trans Labrador highway.

I agree with you 100%, Westy Syncro is a great package a very nice self contain camper with great ability. I still missed my Westy even I've my Tacoma with camper today.

 

[mtnbike28]

I love it!

What a great story! The former owner will tell that story forever!

Every time I see a Syncro I want one so bad... I really want the Subaru engined one!

 

[Overland Hadley]

Yup, such a good looking Westy.

 

[SWbySWesty]

Beautiful, thanks for the update.

Question: What's the digital readout on the driver's side under the turn signal actuator? (lower part of dash panel).

Also - did you wire your Hellas to feed power directly off the battery?

 

[Christian P.]

Beautiful, thanks for the update.

Question: What's the digital readout on the driver's side under the turn signal actuator? (lower part of dash panel).

Good catch. It`s a Webasto Heater. I believe it was a Canada only option.

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/rack/bbw46/BBW46.htm

Also - did you wire your Hellas to feed power directly off the battery?

No but I run the power through the correct relays.

 

[stclair]

Man Christian, it looks great! Who did you get to do the trans rebuild, or did you do it yourself?

 

[Christian P.]

Man Christian, it looks great! Who did you get to do the trans rebuild, or did you do it yourself?

I found a great shop here in Montreal. $2215 including labor, new clutch/pressure plate, etc.

Here a few more pictures from my last ride this season...these are the last ones I promise..

 

[vanderpooch]

Awesomeness!! :victory:

Sounds like it's time for an ExPo Syncro run in the Spring!

 

[stclair]

Awesomeness!! :victory:

Sounds like it's time for an ExPo Syncro run in the Spring!

Hmmm....I'm listening.

 

[Riptide]

Here a few more pictures from my last ride this season...these are the last ones I promise..

No way, man! More pics! I love that thing!

 

[T.Low]

pics=good

more pics= always better

I've had this idea in the back of my mind to promote diversity thru a van run :sombrero:. The AstroLander, a Syncro, a lifted 4wd Yotavan, a couple modified Delicas