Syncro, visco and the long trip home

Post by **manxman** » 15 May 2007, 10:43

humm that could be a a problem then, can you sing?

Post by **peasant** » 15 May 2007, 16:52

No, I can't

But seenashow there won't be any audience ...who cares?

Post by **Other-Power** » 15 May 2007, 17:35

All the army syncro's and T25's i have seen out in Germany are in uber good condition unless they have been played with and then there in even better condition. that said they are a bit to basic.

After spending last week around Germany and Holland and loving my t25 even more now, drive back in one hit, man on a mission style cause your stop and then wanna have a look around.

But if you have got it of ebay then you have to pay lol and dont kcik tires and try and get it cheaper, they dont like that

Jon

watching this space

Post by **peasant** » 21 May 2007, 22:35

Right ...got it, made it home ... no problems (other than that I'm knackered

)

More (if anyone's interested) in the days to come ...

Post by **onthejazz** » 22 May 2007, 16:53

gd job....

get some pics up!

Post by **peasant** » 22 May 2007, 18:29

Will have to wrench the camera out of good lady wife's hands first ...

Overall I have to say I'm very happy so far. The van is in very good technical condition. It has a very impressive service history, both army and civilian (some servicing was farmed out apparently), a verified mileage when bought of 96400 km (that's 60 k miles), new brake lines, new front bushings and rubber all round. The engine is as dry as a bone, didn't use a drop of oil over 1300 kms (no water either) and pulls like I'd never imagined a JX could pull. First tank on fairly empty motorways achieved 7.77l/100km, the second on cramped motorways, some traffic jams and Dublin City mayhem got 8.2l/100km, overall just a shade under 8l/100 km or 35.4 mpg in old money.

The body is in very good condition and only has some miniscule rust on the seam at the drivers B pillar and at the front bumper. Being ex military police it also has a few holes where there shouldn't be any (in the roof) from the signal and radio equipment.

It has two difflocks and the "Schlechtwegepaket" with stronger springs and shocks and the protective frame for gearboxes engine and driveshaft.

Interior is basic and a bit shabby, but it does have the rear heater, one back facing seat, the table and sliding windows. I was also very lucky and could get some (second hand) front vented quarterlights fitted at the point of sale for little money which made the trip more agreeable.

Overall I paid 5800 Euro, that included the vehicle as described, plus new timing belt, oil and filter change and the fitting of a second hand trailer hitch and electrical hookup.

A lot of money for an old yoke, but I'm happy and think that I got my money's worth.

At this point I'd like to recommend the dealer that I bought from as a sound, helpful and honest fellow.
http://home.mobile.de/MFeichtFahrzeughandel

E D I T:
pics added

http://img524.imageshack.us/slideshow/p ... 52bej.smil

Post by **syncron ice** » 22 May 2007, 20:32

Enjoy

Post by **syncropaddy** » 22 May 2007, 20:43

Well Ill be doing a similar trip first week in June. I just bought a Syncro Multivan with a new engine and a genuine VW Spare wheel carrier on the back along with the wheel arch things. Power steering, diff locks, tinted windows and all.
Driving back from Kiel, via Hamburg to pick up a set of alloys I bought on E Bay...................

Post by **Boltze** » 22 May 2007, 20:47

Nice, have fun with it.

I've spoke to him today, he told me you picked up the syncro on saturday!?

Post by **peasant** » 22 May 2007, 21:09

@Syncropaddy

are you dealing in Syncros now or are you going to keep two ..one for mucking around in and one for showing off

?

@ Boltze

that's right ..flew in on Saturday, picked it up and spent Sunday and Monday driving (at a leisurely pace and in manageble chunks)

Post by **syncropaddy** » 23 May 2007, 07:13

Not sure. My son wants the one I have now - the green one. Wont know until I put the two side by side. Then i will make up my mind. The green one has a perfect bobyshell and running gear but is a 2.1 petrol and no interior and the new one has all the rest of the stuff.
We will see.................. watch this space

Post by **HarryMann** » 23 May 2007, 07:46

Nice to hear of another Syncro over here, and the feedback on mpg and JX engine was interesting. If they pull really well, which they can when in tip top condition, seems 35 mpg is about what we should be telling people they can do, but about max realistic I'd say... Seems 32 from a 1.9TD or Tdi is also about max. though some would argue I expect..

Peasant, please could you fill out your profile a bit , location at least? Thanks

And the very best with your truck for the years to come, best to go basic and get a solid vehicle I think

Post by **peasant** » 23 May 2007, 08:41

HarryMann

The 35 mpg was at speeds between 100 (mostly) and 115 km/h on the speedo (no rev counter).
I'd imagine if you just pootled along country lanes you could probably wrangle the odd extra mile out of the gallon.

I'll keep you posted, because pootling is all I'll be doing from now on.

I'm really endeared with the gearing on this thing. You can put it into fourth at town speeds (50 km/h) and it won't be laboured. It'll start pulling at 60 and has a nice bit of go between 80 and 100-110.

Still no racing machine, but a very useful power delivery for everyday driving and fairly impressive, considering it has more kg than it has cc

In the lower gears around town you might even be tempted to call it quick.

In light of that, I didn't go over the top when I got new tyres for it yesterday (the ones on it were ancient). I stuck close to the original and "only" got 195/14's. They look slightly less awkward than the 185's and are close enough in diameter not to affect performance.

Post by **Mudlark** » 23 May 2007, 09:20

Peasant,

what was your impression of the VC? Its always interesting to hear of a 'virgins' impression of their first syncro .... and no lewd comments about tightness please ... or perhaps i should just rephrase the whole question

Post by **peasant** » 23 May 2007, 09:47

my impression of the VC?

Well ... pretty unremarkable really. Yes, the steering is a bit heavier when maneuvering in tight spaces at slow speeds, there is a little resistance when going round roundabouts the sensation of which is somewhat counter-intuitive and it did get a bit tighter after a long motorway stint.
But no rubbing, no squealing tyres, nothing dramatic and nothing you couldn't handle.

On the other hand it works really well though.
Having driven on the motorway for long hours and lost concentration somewhat, I drove into Rotterdam port a bit too fast. There was a narrow bend, recent rain and rail tracks crossing the road at an angle.
Before I realised that I was going to fast, the back already slid out on the slippery tracks, but before I could even react, the front wheels had pulled me back in again.

On my steep and bumpy gravel driveway, the yoke pulls up nicely without any wheelspin before the VC engages (and engage it does).

So, overall, pretty close to perfect.

Steering would be very different to a "modern", over-assissted car though and I can see why some people would describe it as stiff or heavy.