A stroke of luck.......

Post by **passatman** » 18 Mar 2008, 21:43

After spotting a bus on ebay, with a mis-spelt, and poor, title and description, i decided to go and have a look anyways.........and after sifting through the badges on the back.......'custombuilt'.......'turbo

' and a 'Syncro' one in the bottom corner i then stood back and thought the old girl looked a bit 'high'.........so round the front i pop, and lo and behold there are driveshafts

.....but under closer inspection, the prop has been removed......but, it was mega cheap, still mot'd but needs a motor........i'll be looking for inspiration.....she's currently a 1.6 td.........

so, what problems am i going to face......is it probable the diff is nacked?..........and the 'G' on the gearstick is what exactly......can you tell i'm a Syncro virgin lol!

Here is a quick one.........i'll post some more on another thread......

Post by **manxman** » 18 Mar 2008, 22:10

"G" gear is a gear lower than first for off roading.
The prop has probably been removed due to something being broken, front diff, cv joints, or vc (viscous coupling) none of which are cheap to replace.
You might be lucky though and it may have just been removed in an attempt to get better fuel economy but don't hold your breath.

Any Diff locks? if you have there will be one or two knobs low down in the middle of the dash below the radio.

Post by **passatman** » 18 Mar 2008, 22:16

manxman wrote:"G" gear is a gear lower than first for off roading.
The prop has probably been removed due to something being broken, front diff, cv joints, or vc (viscous coupling) none of which are cheap to replace.
You might be lucky though and it may have just been removed in an attempt to get better fuel economy but don't hold your breath.

Any Diff locks? if you have there will be one or two knobs low down in the middle of the dash below the radio.

thanks.........i'm hoping it's gonna be a simple explaination....but i doubt it very much......what sort of price do the items command if they do need replaced......seeing as i've managed to stumble accross one, i'd rather it was doing its' job if you know what i mean.

and i'm not sure about the diff locks.....picking it up over the weekend.....can't wait

just hope the bargain doesn't turn ugly

Post by **manxman** » 18 Mar 2008, 22:20

for price of parts talk to CJ at syncrospares he's usualy has a supply of 2nd hand parts so that would be your cheapest route.

but as a rule parts are not cheap £££

He posts on here so will propably be along sooner or later.

Post by **Simon Baxter** » 18 Mar 2008, 22:27

Looks like it started life as an Amblumence to me.

Post by **passatman** » 18 Mar 2008, 22:33

Simon Baxter wrote:Looks like it started life as an Amblumence to me.

good thinking that man.........it has some engineering firms' name stamped on the insides of all the windows......and the frosting.........i knew there was something different about it, just couldn't put my finger on it

....there were no dead bodies in it tho

Post by **passatman** » 18 Mar 2008, 22:38

and would explain this...........

some more pics too......

Post by **peasant** » 18 Mar 2008, 22:45

intriguing "filler neck" under the passenger door there...

Post by **passatman** » 18 Mar 2008, 22:47

peasant wrote:intriguing "filler neck" under the passenger door there...

i think it's something to do with the eberspacher?..........there's something under there anyways

......

Post by **peasant** » 18 Mar 2008, 22:50

That might be the reason for it not having a propshaft ...something might have been removed to fit the other "something" under there ...normally there isn't much room for anything at all except the 4WD bits (hence the tank in the back)

Post by **more speed** » 18 Mar 2008, 23:36

what type of front light grill is that then, i assume it had blue lights in if it was an ambulance. Can the grill be bought elsewhere, would'nt mind a front pic of the whole grill if you get the chance.

Looks alright externally, plus camping interior, good luck with the mechanical side as well.

Post by **passatman** » 19 Mar 2008, 15:35

not sure about the grille.........they looked like speakers, so i'd say they were maybe the sirens........while i'm thinking, there's a huge panel with switches in the roof above the dash..........how i didn't spot it had been an ambulance is beyond me

do we think it's maybe been mountain rescue or something?........who would use one of these?

hopefully it's still been a bargain..........someone put a price on it and make me smile

....and thanks for all the help

Post by **Mudlark** » 19 Mar 2008, 16:01

A company in Gloucestershire had three of these as Ambulances. Used for events like the Badminton Horse Trials. There have been a fair few that have come up around the country.

Pricing is subjective and difficult without some detail of what the history is; the only thing that ever holds true is that it is worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it, not that helpful i know !

By VW camper standards this would be at the lower end of the scale imho.

Post by **toomanytoys** » 19 Mar 2008, 16:29

As little as they will take..
especially if no history.... unknown mechanicals... etc...

Syncro's can cos the owner a lot of money.. so you really have to want one to get into it.. and once in either stick it out or get out before you spend too much...

And if you do spend the cash.... dont try and do it on the cheap... it usually isnt worth it... gearbox is a prime example...

Post by **HarryMann** » 19 Mar 2008, 23:05

The prop has probably been removed due to something being broken, front diff, cv joints, or vc (viscous coupling) none of which are cheap to replace.

It could equally just be that it had the dreaded 'prop vibes' or the prop UJs needed doing...

I'm afraid few will be able or willing to give firm idea on costs unless they spend a week with it, finding out everything that needs doing... or maybe doesn't.

Maybe don't assume the worst, but have you actually driven it? Or is the moteur totally dud. You say it needs a new one, but not whether it's there or not, or whether it runs after a fashion.

Sounds like a candidate for a 1.9 Diesel of some sort. Maybe that front fuel filler is for water tank or suchlike? Look underneath for big flat expedition style water tanks

Just as a guide, could cost from £2k ~ £4.5k to sort, depending on your capabilities... but until you've got it driving, you won't really know about the transmission. At that pint get someonealomg who knows them really well.
Ggood starting point though, hope you've got a big drive and plenty of tools

Photo of the engine compartment maybe, to see what sort of state that's in?