Club 80-90 Forums

And if you know anyone well connected get ya hoop into the DE+S knees up at Millbrook next year. (google DVD Millbrook - its like a 4 wheel drive wet dream for adults but taken far to seriously by some )

Millbrook proving ground? I've got a feeling that's somewhere near me or am I thinking of the "Chobham" test track?
I do know one or two ex-DERA types as it happens...not small fry either!

E D I T - I'm thinking of the High-speed track at Bagshot

Thanks for the tips! Missus says to try some big tyres on my T2 before I take the plunge. We got stuck on soft sand. Was pathetic. Looking at 15" Mefros with mud tyres ... still 2WD but hopefully lots more grip.

Can the Syncro do this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWWco18Zw0w" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Buy this one and convert it .....

http://exchange.goo-net.com/usedcars/sp ... 18001.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks Syncropaddy that is an awesome resource. Been scouring the web for days but missed that one. In the US a company will upgrade a Westy to Syncro for $5000 + donor Syncro. Who could/would do that in the UK? Do you think the cost might be in the same ballpark? With so few of them made then this might be a good way to go.

mastersdom wrote:In the US a company will upgrade a Westy to Syncro for $5000 + donor Syncro. Who could/would do that in the UK? Do you think the cost might be in the same ballpark? With so few of them made then this might be a good way to go.

Get them to ireland and I'll do that for you for that money in sterling including new bushes front discs etc (usually need to be replaced factor them in as part of the conversion) Tinkerbelle aka the Horse is one such 2wd to 4wd conversion with some additional mods albeit a single cab look at this years syncropendence thread to see her in action

mastersdom wrote:Thanks Syncropaddy that is an awesome resource. Been scouring the web for days but missed that one. In the US a company will upgrade a Westy to Syncro for $5000 + donor Syncro. Who could/would do that in the UK? Do you think the cost might be in the same ballpark? With so few of them made then this might be a good way to go.

Surely when its priced up in full/properly its just not worth it

If you take value of base van then add conversion labour then add the cost of a GOOD syncro (ie one with KNOWN good box/diff/VC etc etc) then wouldnt that exceed by far the price of selling your base vehicle and adding then £xxk you would have spent converting it?

You're right. It isn't worth it and I'd never be happy with an upgraded 2wd 'cause it wouldn't really be a Syncro. Will just wait and wait until the right van comes up...

ELVIS wrote:

mastersdom wrote:Thanks Syncropaddy that is an awesome resource. Been scouring the web for days but missed that one. In the US a company will upgrade a Westy to Syncro for $5000 + donor Syncro. Who could/would do that in the UK? Do you think the cost might be in the same ballpark? With so few of them made then this might be a good way to go.

Surely when its priced up in full/properly its just not worth it

If you take value of base van then add conversion labour then add the cost of a GOOD syncro (ie one with KNOWN good box/diff/VC etc etc) then wouldnt that exceed by far the price of selling your base vehicle and adding then £xxk you would have spent converting it?

Tend to disagree one has more chance of getting a good 2wd drive base vehicle in certain models such as westies and donor vehicles can be picked up quite cheap converting any 2wd to 4wd will add value to the original van. Besides these days most syncros have been modded/upgraded and very few would be of original spec anyhow. Also bear in mind that doing the conversion right involves a full removal and overhaul of the front suspension, brakes, drivetrain, fuel system, protection bars etc which if farmed that out would cost you close to that if you wanted it done to a syncro.

mastersdom wrote:You're right. It isn't worth it and I'd never be happy with an upgraded 2wd 'cause it wouldn't really be a Syncro. Will just wait and wait until the right van comes up...

Also a late 2wd and 4wd shell give or take some differences are the same shell and its getting a full syncro suspension and drivetrain so apart from on paper it is a Syncro and depending on the conversion may even be stronger than a syncro. Would say that any good 2wd conversion can do anything a syncro can do.
For most people even westies are not the right van hence the amount of mods being done to them (nearly every van has been modded in one way or another) so it might be worth looking at other versions that you could get built according to your needs, specifications and probably cheaper rather than trying to find phoenix eggs. With that in mind this looks good
http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/14-sy ... 66808.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Only considering Westies with Aircon. That Japanese link has some amazing vans. I'm a fussy sod and know it. Have found loads of cool stuff along the way including a Westfalia Syncro with Aircon for £8000 ono (too scruffy for me but brill spec) ... will post links in a bit...

Sorry just curious whats the big deal about air con ?

It keeps you nice and cool when it's hot

PS I guess everybody has their "must have"?

Okay here's some links. You may have seen some of them before but hopefully there are one or two that you haven't. I quite like the Syncro van that cost 50,000 Euros 21 years ago - 1 owner

http://www.adventure-journal.com/2009/0 ... amper-van/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.thinkingthreads.com/SYNCRO.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.autoscout24.es/Details.aspx?id=192063552" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/showD ... abNumber=2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.caravanselecta.co.uk/motorho ... 81082.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.busman.be/pagina57a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://exchange.goo-net.com/usedcars/sp ... 17003.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... &__Dx=mode" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; matchany&__D=syncro&silo=1011&seot=1&__sid=13182D1F882B&__N=1216 1246 1247 1252 1282 4294962746&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__Qpb=1&__Ntx=mode matchallpartial&Cr=5&__Ntt=syncro&trecs=14

Look further afield than Germany etc. Even over there your paying scene tax (But from first hand conversations with two German dealers - dont bother with Poland)

I know its a conversation that could be debated for ever but i personally wouldnt bother with a converted 2WD. To start off with it will always ever be a converted 2WD so could potential impact on any future resale ( such as selling price and 'credability' etc). Also if you shopped around and got the 'right' van thats up and together then all is good in the hood. As we all know , even $hitter Stinkos command a premium over 2wd equivilents. The fact that it is only fit as a 'donor' would make me wary.

Seen a few bang tidy stinkos for sub 10k money in recent weeks if your prepared to travel (saw a finish ambulance go for £2k recently- fully road legal with no rust at all )

I'm set on the spec now Elvis. Westfalia Syncro Pop Top with Aircon in Alpine. Not bothered how many diff locks etc as will be beach transport. Will wait as long as it takes for the right one. Once I've found one then the next owner will have to wait for me to kick the bucket. Damn I wish there were more of them I couldn't live with an ambulance. Just me.