Club 80-90 Forums

Am looking for a syncro- total virgin. Have got a splitty but need something that I can rely on, mechanically and go anywhere. I am now worried by how many of you broke at the weekend. Is there a straight answer to the question "are syncros reliable? " feel free to ignore a virgin with his bone question. p.s. Anyone got a Syncro westy for sale in cornwall? (Been trying to badger Mitty into not seeling his to his brother in law.)
The Fat Surfer

Yes 2 broke but both were very modified, if you leave them alone they behave better.

Thing is, they are at a funny time where some are still coming out of normal use, and are a bit tired.
Not all are in enthusiasts hands, so there plenty of them out there that ahvn't been looked after as they should, some down to ignorance of the system, some down to just plain stingeyness.

Expect to put a VC in, more than likely a few suspension bushes, CV joints.. all expensive bits that people are willing to live with.

If VC's go tight, they put extra strain on things like drive shafts, gearboxes, diffs etc..

If you want to buy one, and just drive it maybe you are looking for something that doesn't exsist without spending a small fortune.

The only major problem that Ive had with mine has been the clutch, and Ive had mine for 2 years. I think its very reliable. I just start it in the morning and go, and I service it every 5000 miles and its grand! Its lovely to drive too.

As Andy has said bothe these vans are very modified but should still be very reliable.on my part i think it has been an assembly fault nothing to do with performance or offroading.
Of course though the more u trash it off road the more u will have to spend on maintanence.

Buy one from an existing member that has already spent the money recently and knows the vehicles inside and out or your buy something that others cant be bothered to spend any money on and will need lots spending on it.

Most of these are 15 years and older and some have lead a very harsh life, some only been used on the road so look for something with out mud underneath. Check the condition of the bash plates etc. Thought of buying something from europe, as there seems to be more choice but be prepared to drive on the wrong side of the van. Its something you soon get used to though.

Good luck on your hunt for a van. If you want to have a look over one or two to see what to look for then your welcome to come and have a gander.

Many thanks guys, very helpful. Thanks for taking the time out to reply. I will earmark some TLC money as part of my long term plan. Am not too far from CJ at syncrospares and having a splitty am already in the "if you don't maintain it it won't go" world. Hope to see you with a big grin on my face out of the window of a syncro soon.

There were two or three non-arrivals of vehicles due to existing renovation work not being completed or probs cropping up at a late stage...

There was one non-arrival due to an engine failure but this was a highly modified diesel - the owner still arrived with a wry smile on his face

There was one gearbox that broke on the long trek home, that was on a heavy camper with a Tdi diesel, but shouldn't have happened really - we all know that at that heart of a Syncro is a gearbox/transaxle unit that can let go when all is not right, though generally are not weak per se - it's a life thing and higher stresses obviously reduce that . We are hopefully all learning more as exactly what the problems are and how these boxes can be re-built better to stand the stresses imposed on them - and also when to say - beyond economical repair.

If you saw the way many were being used at Coney Farm, high power climbing on very steep dry surfaces with diff-locks on at least the rear axle, then it would seem a miracle that there were no failures on site other than two punctures (bent rim and stick of wood in a sidewall) and a broken gear-stick.

If you go to many off-road pay and play sites you'll find them strewn with parts of all sorts of supposedly tough off-road vehicles, and whole ones as well - and many of course arrive and go home on trailers. We tend to drive ours home after a tough weekend - but then you sound convinced enough already. As Dave says, look for a good one if a long renovation programme doesn't appeal to you