Syncro with propshaft removed =2wd?

[dixomat]

Hi,

I'm in the early stages of looking at getting a type 25 for camping holidays and as a candidate (in terms of budget, look and general spec at least), this came up:

http://www.vwcampercrazy.co.uk/search_d ... ertID=3513 - Tzigane Syncro 1.6 TD 1990

and fairly sure this is the same one (the current seller has used some of the same images..), sold in 2008..

http://www.streetstyleandpower.com/disp ... lateID=ssp
http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=435554

I spoke to the seller and he confirmed that the prop shaft has been removed, making it a 2wd vehicle - but the old prop shaft is available. Can anyone comment on the wisdom or otherwise of this, and..

- whether it would be worth restoring it to 4wd and if so how much it would cost..?
- whether as a first van, it is something to avoid?
- whether any vw camper specialist garage deal with it or would it need to be taken to Scotland (for example )?
- why it would have been done in the first place?

Having read all about the synchro's history on Synchronauts, I must say they look like great vehicles and lots of fun, but (i) I'm not the mechanical type so I'd be relying on a garage to maintain it and (ii) I'm not interested in offroading per se, just having a strong versatile camper.

All thoughts, warnings-off etc welcome!
Matt

[R0B]

according to the thread on vzi its now sold..

[dixomat]

..that was in 2008 - now up for sale again.

[toomanytoys]

Mmm.. Well how dep are your pockets??

without an experienced syncro eye going over it, it would be difficult to say...
Does it still have the correct syncro gearbox? as a normal 2wd one can be used in its place.. why was the prop shaft removed? are there any other parts missing?

to return it back to original 4wd mode could be easy as a new VC (viscose coupling) may be all thats required, but these are not cheap (check with Brickwerks or Aidan) could need other work... All poss via here and you dont have to go to scotland for it all...

As you are not mechanical and its your first bus and you dont really need/want the 4wd ability, it might be a step too far... have a good read on here.. see what you might get yourself into.. but if its a good honest van and its what you want and can afford the potential extra running costs...

[peasant]

I spoke to the seller and he confirmed that the prop shaft has been removed, making it a 2wd vehicle - but the old prop shaft is available. Can anyone comment on the wisdom or otherwise of this, and..

- whether it would be worth restoring it to 4wd and if so how much it would cost..?
- whether as a first van, it is something to avoid?
- whether any vw camper specialist garage deal with it or would it need to be taken to Scotland (for example )?
- why it would have been done in the first place?

Removing the propshaft indeed turns it into a 2WD ...or to be more precise, it severs the connection to the front drive.

Putting the propshaft back in is very simple (same as removing it), you could probably do that yourself.

However, the question is, why was it removed in the first place?
Most likely because something went "twang" upfront at some point. So you have to assume that the van has either an non-working viscous coupling (about 450 Euro + labour to replace), some broken driveshafts/ CV joints, a broken gearbox or a combination of all of those

Either way, as it stands with so many unknowns, it's a bit dear

[dixomat]

Thanks for your thoughts.. having made some other enquiries it does sound a bit dear, although now I am quite interested in a syncro

Matt

[syncropaddy]

.... non-working viscous coupling (about 450 Euro + labour to replace) ....

Plus shipping the old core unit and they are heavy ....

[ajsimmo]

Can anyone comment on the wisdom or otherwise of this, and..

- whether it would be worth restoring it to 4wd and if so how much it would cost..?
- whether as a first van, it is something to avoid?

Hi Matt, hope I can help, as I bought a syncro with propshaft removed (and missing - but that's another story) last year and have been using it in 2wd as my daily driver for 9 months with no probs. Managed to locate the original prop through this forum and replaced it's two worn out UJs, bought new prop bolts and stuck it back on. Turns out it was only removed due to a stiff VC causing it to lock up in tight turns when warm. I removed prop again so I can use it daily whilst sourcing replacement VC.
Personally I would not pay anwhere near the asking price for the van you mention unless the 4wd was all in good working order, as it could cost you well into 4 figures to fix (as others have said, could be front diff/gearbox/front driveshafts/CV joints, as well as VC which will most likely be no good). I admit I gambled, but bought mine at a price where this would still have been a viable fix, and I was lucky.

As a first van, it is entirely up to you (they're great vans) but without some mechanical knowledge to be able to do the majority of routine repairs yourself I would advise caution. Syncros are (much) more expensive to maintain and some parts can be hard(ish) to source. Having said that, you are in the right place here!

If you keep it as a 2WD you could end up with the worst of both worlds - no access to 4WD fun, embarrasing when you get stuck in your camper with "SYNCRO" & "4WD" plastered all over it, and the high running costs and repair bills when it goes wrong. (I'm aware of the possible pot/kettle scenario here ).

- whether any vw camper specialist garage deal with it or would it need to be taken to Scotland (for example )?

No, and no. Not all VW specialists will know much about syncros, many will suck air through teir teeth, some will run away screaming, and don't bother with most of the Aircooled chaps, they have their own speciality (which most are, no doubt, excellent at) and it's not T25 syncros! However, there are plenty of people on the forums to help, and some syncro sympathetic VW specialist garages around too. You'll know as soon as you talk to them!

Depending on whereabouts you are in the country, there should be someone not too far away to help.

PS if you're decided on a syncro, I might be persuaded to part with mine as I have two more T25s (both strong versatile campers ) currently in preparation...