Club 80-90 Forums

Hi Gary - yeah we'll have to try and hook up. Are you going to the Santa Cruz again this year?
cheers,
Rich

Rich
TBH I've not given it any thought but now you've mentioned it I will see if the mrs wants to go and let you know, I see it near her birthday so could just tell her it's a birthday treat

It may be a daft question but if I had the opportunity of buying a rough syncro 1.6dt the same engine as my Westy and transplanted the running gear in to it would I notice a difference in top speed? Lets face it being a 1.6dt it’s hardly quick already so don't want it any slower realy, I normally plod along at 60 – 65 just over 3K rpm.

Chances are the gear ratio's would be the same, so your speed would be unaffected.

v-lux wrote:When Gandhi was asked what he thought of western civilisation, he said " I think that would be a good idea"

Thanks for that I'll bare that in mind

sonic23 wrote:Hi Gary - yeah we'll have to try and hook up. Are you going to the Santa Cruz again this year?
cheers,
Rich

We're doing Santa Cruz again this year. The van is running as sweet as and the tinsel is ready



Baz n Hil

After reading the write up on Sonic23 syncro over xmas has got me hooked again, I'm not sure if it's the look of a syncro or the fact you can go off roading with it?
As I've said before I don't want to sell the Atlantic so I'm left with two realistic option at present and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on this??

1. I buy a cheap! rought syncro and do it up over the coming years but have some fun on the way or transplant all the running gear into the Atlantic?
2. Spend time buying and collecting all the parts needed to convert my van, would imagine this would take some time and cost most in the long run?

If your Atlantic is really nice you will be too precious about it to off road it. If it's the look you are after, lift it and fit big A/T tyres.

I love being able to go places that I couldn't in a 2wd. Buy a half decent Syncro and I'll bet within a few months you will be putting the Atlantic up for sale.

Nothing touches a nice syncro Westy/Atlantic, but much to valuable to off road, but does open up the option of a "wild camp", forestry commision tracks, light green lanes, etc, but if you wan,t to emualate Jed, then a rougher syncro fits the bill, great fun, but sew up your pockets!

Thanks for your imput it all helps, not sure if I want to do proper off roading (will need to come and see some in action?) but do fancy being able to take the westy off road for wild camping / forestry tracks.
Down side of getting another van is space already have 2x cars and the camper on the drive plus the extra tax, MOT and insurence. mind you if I got a doka or caravelle I could sale the Mrs car..........

Glad you liked the article Gary
It gives you some idea what some of us have been through

Have a really good think about what you are really happy with and truly want. The only thing stopping you getting a Syncro is the fact you have an Atlantic and think dont want to sell it, But... if you are truly happy with the Atlantic then you wouldnt need to think about a Syncro because it would be perfect and you wouldnt need to think about anything else. The very reason you are thinking about a Syncro now is because you dont think your camper is everything you want it to be and the added cost of running/taxing/building a shed of a Syncro as well as having your 2wd camper will far exceed the cost that you will spend on the one true van your happy with. That van for you will be a Westfalia Syncro, even if you never green lane it, you wont be happy until you have one because you will be looking at your camper wishing it had the 4wd and the look of a Syncro. If you bought a "pooh" of a Syncro to rag around you will only spend un necessary money on it to compensate for not having a Westy Syncro too, and run the risk of looking at that and not being 100% happy with it

Now thats the easy bit done

Next is finding one, and my honest opinion is there arnt any for sale that are perfect for you. All the ones that are ideal are owned by people who have usually put a TDI in, gear box modifications, and sorted any bodywork Issues and after that they are so content with what they have that they have no need to look at any other Camper or any other vehicle because they just dot mean anything.

You know your going to have to do it otherwise you will never stop thinking about it.

jed

^^^^thats about right, i no longer covet anyones van. i would like to own certain peoples vans as well as mine though
Go on sell the Atlantic and get a syncro. You know it makes sense...

Syncronise the Atlantic "simples"

I can definately appreciate what you are going through! Two years ago I went to a Llangollen 2wd meet and introduced myself to 3 syncro owners via a bottle of Bushmills! I had done the VW shows and touring and looking for more . . . I got to passenger (snow, ice, the full works) and after a dry mouthed, adrenelin (screaming) experience I was hooked
I spent the following year gaining info, being a passenger, gate opening and tea bitch (some of which I flew to Germany in order to perform!)
I had the same question, I have a great 2wd but love the other side of going where others cant go!!
A year ago the temptation was put before me, but the reason I sold out to the purchase of a Syncro is the fact it was known by very reliable syncronaunts Local knowledge goes along way!
Am I happy now I have bought a Syncro . . . my vw life is complete
I never sold my 2wd, as I thought I would, best of both worlds
I have owned VW campers for many years but I have never had so much fun and enjoyment since owning a Syncro
Great meets, great mates and great support . . . and I've got to love beans on toast