Club 80-90 Forums

Excuse me for asking here but is it possible to buy the parts to convert a transporter to a syncro? and how difficult would it be?

just thinking about it at the moment but is it easily possible or is it a absolute mission?

If it is cheaper than buying a syncro then it might be an idea...

totally doable and Jason will sell you a kit of parts to do it
probably not cheaper but if you have your perfect van but it's 2wd then it's an option - there's a few threads on here and elsewhere where peeps have done it
When the syncro was discontinued back in 1992 the good folks at Port Elizabeth VW dealer in SA bought a load of kits from Steyr and then took new vans off the SA production line and turned them into syncros and a good few have been converted since down there

Aiden... thank you thank you....

that is perfect... i am now going to do a bit of research... that would be amazing if it is possible... My wifes 2wd bus has just gone in to a garage to get the engine conversion finished... it was a 1.6d... and will be a 1.9d.... then i would love to make it into a 4wd... as it would have lovely torque, and the 1.6 gearbox... nice low 1st gear... it will be able to crawl through practically anything then...

Thanks again...

This has to be a wind up !!

From your posts I deduce you may not know whats involved in converting a 2WD to Syncro.

Are you able to weld? You will need to replace Syncro specific body panels.

You will need subframes, engine mounting bars, entire front suspension, front diff and driveshafts, steering link, propshaft, gearbox, engine protection, fuel tank and filler, vacuum tank and lines, bash plates ..... plus a few bits and pieces

No i do not know... which is why i am curious as to know if it is possible... it does sound like a hell of a lot of work...

but i am just curious at the moment....

It is possible....welding consists of the steering rack mounting panel, the fuel tank mounting support bracket..and the fuel filler exterior panel...none of which are massively difficult in themselfs but combined with all the the other stuff....well you will need to be keen shall we say!


Possibly easier to find a factory built van in need of a little tlc...more than enough to keep you busy!

You could still fit a 4+g gearbox and rear diff lock...will still cope with sloppy stuff better than a normal 2wd, but its not quite as simple as just swapping the box even so.

You'd be much better off buying this http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewit ... 2744696049" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Apparently the seller is a very handsome chap!

Nice van

ninja.turtle007 wrote:You'd be much better off buying this http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewit ... 2744696049" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Apparently the seller is a very handsome chap!

2nd.


(on both accounts!)

as above posts,
if its had to go into a garage for something as simple as 1.6-1.9 then you arent able to do this yourself imho.
where are you planning on going thet requires 4wd
mm

walkerdude2001 wrote:Excuse me for asking here but is it possible to buy the parts to convert a transporter to a syncro? and how difficult would it be?

just thinking about it at the moment but is it easily possible or is it a absolute mission?

If it is cheaper than buying a syncro then it might be an idea...

easy enough IF you have the skills as the previous posters have said, not really that much welding required but you need to know your way around a syncro to be able to build one
More info here and I think I put a link in the thread to a guy on the samba who has also done it which was very informative

Hi,

I don't know about prices of parts and vehicles in UK - but I'd guess it's not worth the effort.
I've had a rusty syncro and a good 2WD standing next to each other and then decided to sell both and by a better syncro...I think it was the right decision, even now when I have a lot to do with my "new" syncro...

Best,
Holger

See, Ze Germans are very logical!!