Got my 16" Doublecab on the road this week!

[steffanstringer]

Hi - I just registered my imported LHD 16" doublecab and got it on the road this week. It's running but as I'm new to this game and not at all mechanically minded (so why did I buy a 17-year old vehicle?) I don't have a good feeling for whether the important bits are in good shape. If someone is ever in the Maidenhead area and would do me the favour of casting an expert eye on my little lady I'd be very grateful.



I am getting some binding in tight turns - specially with reversing - but I know some binding it expected. Naturally I am worried that the VC has been toasted. The service records I have are all in Swedish and don't cover the entire age of the vehicle so I can't tell if any work has been done on the drive-train. She has 225,000 km on the clock. The garage that helped me through the MOT doesn't have much experience with these vehicles - perhaps no surprise there.

Also getting a lot of petrol fumes since I topped off the tank and the hose under the wheel arch arising near the filler cap is permanently wet with petrol.

She didn't come with a jack so I bought a 2.5 tonne hydraulic one from Halfords but it only reaches 41 cm and was not tall enough to get the girl off the ground - took it back. I was thinking of trying VW for a replacement - unless you have any suggestions on where to find one. Once I know the mechanicals are all in good order I am looking to learn some off-road skills but really want to equip her as an 'expedition' camping & touring vehicle.

Does anyone recognise the manufacturer of the canopy? None of the locks work and I want to replace them and some other parts.

Thanks in advance,

Steffan

[Mudlark]

Hi Steffan and welcome to the syncronauts!

Nice looking DOKA you have there too!

Start here for info on VC's and diff locks:

http://www.club80-90syncro.co.uk/Syncro ... es/vcs.htm

That will give you your starter for 10.

VC condition and whether you have a problem is very subjective; most problems are associated with VC's that become aggressive as they get hot; say after a 45 minute drive.

What i found was that when i arrived at my destination and had to manouvre my van into a parking spot it would feel as though the brakes were engaged while the steering was on a lock, but no such problems going straight.

My front wheels would also skip and scrub in the turn to an alarming extent so i took the prop out and changed the VC.

All of these symptoms went on my van with a new VC.

At 225,000Km it is entirely likely your VC will need changing.

Syncronutz in Scotland do reconditioned ones or you can get an OEM one from Austria.

[Diamond Hell]

If any one of your tyres is worn more or less than the others then this will give you symptons similar to a binding VC.

Jack-wise get an OEM T25 jack and carry a block of wood. You hsould also have a *proper* trolley jack bought from an auto-factor or similar to lift the vehicle more safely.

The petrol leakage is probably due to blocked breathers on top of the tank. For the interim you should hold back filling the tank right up, long term you may need to drop the tank, which means dropping the engine and box out too.

Why *have* you you bought a 17 year old highly specialist vehicle if you aren't mechanically-minded? Also, why a doka if you want to do 'expedition' type things in it? In case you hadn't noticed there are some excellent camper conversions based on the T25.....

[steffanstringer]

Mudlark - thanks for the support and advice - I'll have a good read of the info. Also seen reconditioning for VCs available at http://www.cav16.co.uk/prices1.htm#camber.

Diamond Hell - er....thanks. Why did a non-mechanically minded person buy a 17-year old specialist vehicle? If you listen to my girlfriend she'll say its because I am an idiot! My tyres are in good shape and evenly worn, I am going to set up a rotation schedule as soon as I get my jack. However the fronts were seriously over-inflated (2.7 vs 1.8 bar) and the rears were under-inflated (1.8 vs 2.1 bar). I guess that wouldn't have helped. I thought long and hard about the camper versus doublecab thing - and the camping I like to do is under canvas. The doka is to help me get there. I also have this crazy notion (yes - another one!) that I am going to buy a bit of woodland somewhere in a few years time and that the doka will be a working vehicle for shifting stuff around on dodgy surfaces. I think you'll agree with me that filling a camper with a whole bunch of logs is likely to leave a bit of a stain on the carpet.

Cheers,

Steffan

[Diamond Hell]

Sorry, I'll sugar-coat it next time*

I've had a Syncro doka for about 6 years (Calamity Cate has it now) and they are the most useful vehicle known to man.... EVER.

That said I have a Caravelle now and will have another shortly and with rubber matting in the back, with the middle row of seats taken out and maybe a bolt-in kitchen unit it'll be a damned sight comfier than any tent. I know I wouldn't go back.

Get along to a Syncronauts event, you'll learn masses about your vehicle and find out just how incredibly capable they are.

Enjoy it and get to know the oily bits - I think a lot of people on here wouldn't trust anyone else to work on their vehicle - they're relatively simple, but there are certain things that'll catch mechanics with their pants down.

If you don't want to do the maintenance yourself from Maidenhead you should give Dave at Shiplake Motors (0118 940 3125) a call, he rebuilds Syncro boxes regularly and runs a T25 himself, so should know his stuff when it comes to the underside of a Syncro.

*That's a lie, I won't.

[Mudlark]

I should say that some of the info on the link is from Derek Drew in the USA so ignore the sections on dollar prices and supply; its now Syncronutz, CAV16 or Austria for replacements.

Im in the priveleged position of having both the syncro camper and the tristar DOKA and while what Thomas says about the comfort is true i also have a feeling that the DoKA would make an excellent expedition type camper/vehicle if done well and would be interesting to create.

[Hacksawbob]

and not at all mechanically minded

you will be

[Russel]

Yes we do supply recon VC's BUT WE DO IT ON AN EXCHANGE BASIS
so ure vehicle will not be sitting in ure drive, on stands ,out of use for a month while waiting for ure unit to be returend to u.And we do the best price avaiable in the UK.
For any other help or advice feel free to give us a call for a chat.

[Cate]

Niiiiice crewie, I like it! The top btw is made by Vindic of Sweden, I did email them some months ago about the locks on mine but have not got anything back at all! The locks, I've been told are classic garage door type locks, they are not, by talking to a garage door expert with over 30 years experience he said that are not! You could get the locks rekeyed or you could buy some new handles and locks and * make* them fit but to be honest I'm not sure the hassle is woth it, just make sure the stuff you have in there is sucured with big locks and chains!
As Diamond Hell has said I have now got his crewie, I bought it from him knowing nothing about mechanics, he has indeed taught me so much and I can now do a few things. Buying one of these vehicles puts you on a steep learning curve. Get to a syncronauts off road do and you will learn so much, not just what these great vehicles can do but how to mend them too.
I too got fed up of putting logs and filthy dogs in my smart camper and getting it covered in muck, a crewie is just perfect.

[HarryMann]

Russel,

Want another spare duff VC?

Er, I mean, want another duff VC as a spare exchange?

Urgent, post or wait for a flying McGill visit to London's Savoy?
Could get it over to D. Shiplake no problem

[Russel]

Hi Clive
Wont say no.It isnt urgent so i can always get it from u at the next meet
if thats ok.
Cheers

[Mick]

Sounds like mine, but mines blue.
Do you have anymore pictures ?

[steffanstringer]

Cate - thanks for the info on the manufacturer of the hardtop. I'll try mailing them too. Funny thing is I took one of the them off and it's made in England. The annoying thing is the two side doors are locked shut. Any tips on getting the locks rekeyed? Take them off and take them to a locksmith? They don't have any serial numbers on.

Guess what - my parents live on the Island (I went to school there too)! Once I have more information on the state of the VC and fixed up any problems I will take it on to the Island for a visit!

Mick - I am out of the country at the moment but am planning on doing a full set of pictures when I get back. Will post them up. Mine was white but has been brush-painted with silver hammerite.

Cheers

Steffan

[Diamond Hell]

Easy Stefan, mine live there too, as did I until recently....

[HarryMann]

Looks good in Silver, I was thinking grey, but maybe thinking silver now...

Ooooh nooooh...

don't worry, nobody could mistake mine for yours!