Club 80-90 Forums

Wouldn't bother looking into car drivetrains. Some Passats are based on Golfs so have transverse engines and a layout like a T4 syncro, completely different, only good for TDI donors. If you use an Audi based Passat sy/quattro which would have an inline engine and could flip the diff it might work but two features you still won't get is G gear and the rear (in van) difflock, without them it'd suck, not what you'd want considering the effort to do it! Another route may be a Scooby Outback drivetrain, some of which have low range/automatic but again it'll be going the wrong way even if it fits. If you wanted a roadmonster rather than an off roader maybe theres some fun to be had with the Audi setup but it doesn't fit the usual syncro camper eathos of "drive it you run out of road, then keep going"

To the original poster.

I have Mike Ghias 2wd-4wd Syncro Doka. Mike converted it yonks ago and I have had it 3 years now. Its been ultra reliable and always done the business for us.

I now also own a Westfalia 1.6D (LHD) and intend to sell on the crewcab this year as its not getting used. However I will miss a Syncro so much I will be converting the Westy into a 14" Syncro, using a donor LHD Syncro as a basis.

I'm fitting F&R difflocks, a lift kit from Germany uprated and rebuilt hubs and Merc ML wheels along with rebuilt arms, new seals and the like. I'll be fitting a TD engine seeing as the power unit has to be removed anyway. Other toys like the spare wheel carrier, big bumpers and the like will come from my stock of spares. Its getting a full respray and interior retrim too.

It will take time, effort and money but in the end I will have a Syncro Westy, built to my spec for around 5 grand and I will know what parts have gone into it too. Thats better than the 10k plus I have seen them advertised at elsewhere.

I'm not interested in whether its factory or not. It will be a Syncro, with all the toys and in good condition - capable of all any factory Syncro can do and more. Thats all that matters surely?

blah blah blah