How off road can syncros go?

Post by **dub dub** » 08 Jan 2008, 18:53

That may sound like a daft question, but im wondering whether to sell my T25 and get a syncro.

I have a standard T25 (except for the paint job) and the other day i was minding my own business driving along and saw some mud so i pulled into it and played on a few slopes, and in some rather large puddles.

But i seem to have caught a bug for off roading and am dying to go in the mud again.

so hopefully not offending anyone, whats gonna be the best off road vehicle? can a syncro handle the same as a landrover?

obviously i'd like to stay VW!!
hopefully no one will take offence to this post.

Post by **toomanytoys** » 08 Jan 2008, 18:57

go on youtube and do a little search for "T3 syncro mud" there are quite a few really good bits on there...

Also have a look on the syncronauts site (logo in the top right corner of your screen)

But... Beware... Syncronitus isnt cheap... when they go wrong they cost a good bit more to fix than a std t25 and the general running costs are higher too... best come to one of our events and see whats what.... before leaping in....

Post by **peasant** » 08 Jan 2008, 19:33

I know I'm going to be flame-grilled for this ...but in my opinion, even though it can be forced through pretty demanding terrain, the Syncro is not an off-road vehicle.

It's a road going vehicle with enhanced capabilities on/for bad roads.

Just look at the design: very large overhangs, complicated independent suspension with very limited articulation, and to top it all off ...after raising the vehicle for more ground clearance, they had to drop the engine right back down to the old level again, because the drive shafts and CV joints couldn't take the angles. So you've got this tough looking yoke with great clearance ...except for where it counts, right where the really expensive and sensitive parts are

With two difflocks (which are mainly there to compensate for missing axle articulation) you can forcefully hammer it through all sorts of nasty stuff ...but in my opinion this is not what it was designed for and will result in undue wear and breakage.

If you want to play around in a few puddles and muddy fields and you're sick of getting stuck as soon as your van only smells a wet blade of grass ...by all means, get a Syncro.

If you really want to go off-roading ...go get something like an old Suzuki or Landy and break and dent that ..it won't hurt as much (also in the pocket) as breaking/denting your Syncro

Post by **bigbluebus** » 08 Jan 2008, 19:58

where d'ya put the 6ft bed, the cooker, the gas fridge, your neatly pressed clothes and the telly in a suzuki / land rover?

if you want to go serious rock climbing YES a syncro is out of it's depth, but then how good is a standard 110? An SJ? Hmmm. Most of the real hardcore stuff you see in the magazines isn't being performed by factory standard stuff . . . . .

un-biased ex syncro owner

Post by **Mercdoctor** » 08 Jan 2008, 20:10

Buy a Mercedes G/WAGEN Then do some REAL off roading .....

un-biased ex syncro owner

Post by **bigbluebus** » 08 Jan 2008, 20:12

g/wagen owners really want a Unimog, bit like them Porsche Boxster people, who really want a 911

Post by **Mercdoctor** » 08 Jan 2008, 20:18

Andy, If I want a Unimog I will just go and buy one no problem Just look at my email addy

Post by **toomanytoys** » 08 Jan 2008, 20:21

Even with limited mods the syncro is surprising off road, no its never going to be an extreme off roader, but it certainly can go places that will surprise "proper offroaders"..

It doesnt have to be "forced" anywhere it can go quite well without trying to break it.. but when pushed it can still get through.. yes it has its design "features", but thats why we like it... its different and always surprises people...

as said.. put it up against some other "factory spec" offroaders and see what happens...

Post by **Russel** » 08 Jan 2008, 20:25

The capability of any vehicle depends on its setup and very inportantly the capability of the driver.A bad driver with a magnivicent machine is worse of than a good driver with an ok machine.
As said above it has its drawbacks(but these can be overcome)
As an expidition vehicle there is nothing that comes close in its size.
As to repair costs,well its a 4WD and brake any 4WD its going to cost u to fix it.
Russel

Post by **Mercdoctor** » 08 Jan 2008, 20:28

Well said

Post by **Ye Olde Syncrospares** » 08 Jan 2008, 20:36

dont buy a syncro as a off road car,also beware people who say itll go anywhere,there ok off road but not a scratch on a mog,pinz or well driven defender,these are what you need to be looking at or a suzuki if theres a small budget,as a camper that goes off tarmac or a green lane tool then fine, but a off roader its limited, un biased ex mog,laplander,rb44,jeep,land rover,suzuki,daihatsu,dodge owner.

Post by **bigbluebus** » 08 Jan 2008, 20:38

I want a Unimog

see . . .told you

Post by **Mercdoctor** » 08 Jan 2008, 20:41

Post by **busvanman** » 08 Jan 2008, 22:04

Have to agree with peasant and others, if you want off road fun in my opinion go for suzuki because they are generally chip as chips to fix, and unlike most land rovers they always seem to survive well enough to drive home thats my excuse for not abusing the syncro off road it was never intended for that......

Post by **Mudlark** » 09 Jan 2008, 12:33

Most syncro campers are bought with the idea that you can get to places others can't; on the beach, up the slope, and across the wet, and if while on your travels you get tempted by a track or lane that takes you exploring your going to be capable of more than your 2wd van can cope with. As Russel says most of that capability is down to the driver and his/her experience.

While a lot of owners are interested in discovering what their syncro vans are capable of and gaining some off-road experience in them; nobody would recommend a camper van as an off roader.