Club 80-90 Forums

been interested in syncro's for a while but information seems hard to find about them,
i have seen the 14" and 16" syncro's does this relate to the wheel size ?
did they all leave the factory the same ride hight ?
is there any mechanical differnce in the running gear between the vans and crews ?
i have done off roading in a defender 90, but watch youtube a syncro would nail one off road. All (most/some) of the vid are not in english, when you see these bouncing over sand dunes and driving through river, mud bogs are these running standard engines ? or scooby etc. motors ?
do you get the same sort of after market kits, lift kits, sump gards ?

i know its personal prefence but which is best ?

and anything else i should know look out for.

sorry for all the qustion, i have always had vws and vans, now all my mates own landrovers and go offroading i want to go flying past them in a syncro then pull up and make a brew

many thanks
ash

Lots of info on the web if you do a bit of googling, for a start look at http://www.busman.be/pagina26.html

16" has bigger wheels but also longer rear trailing arms to accomodate them, bigger brakes, and it's higher than a 14" but more expensive due to rareity.

Some would argue a 14" is just as good 98% of the time. (I've got a 16" )

no difference in mechanics between vans and crew cabs other than final drive gear ratios, oh and 16" bits are more expensive.

Diff locks were optional and a rear one at least is essential for off roading.

The yellow bus on youtube going every where flat out has a scooby motor I think, not sure how long the drive train would last treated like that!

As for the Syncro v Landy question bit of a can of worms, but a Landy can only really ever be 2wd by my understanding but a Syncro with 2 diff locks is real 4wd.

A landy has many advantages off road but a Syncro s is good both on and off road and like you say you can make a cup of tea when you get to where your going.



Think most of the above is correct but.......

now there's a man who knows his beans cheers dude

loads of info on this forum, take a read of the site - syncronauts pages are top right link, and search for landrover you'll find several long discussions on relative merits etc..there's also the brickyard forum where some syncro peeps hang out too including the biggest thread on a modded 16" camper you'll find.

but no it's not like landrovers where everyone and their aunty sell bits of metal to fix the weaknesses and protect them from damage, or mod them for specific purposes there's a limit to what you can mod and how far you can go cos they are independent suspension not solid axle, and forward control and rear engine limits what you can do to improve approach and departure angles. But anything is possible if you've deep pockets or mechanical skills, check out Russell's much modded and improved vehicles (http://www.syncro-nutz.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;), also see SyncroServices web site for parts and inspiration and Yaeger's too both have an english version. CJ at Syncrospares.co.uk will guide you on vehicle availability, he's some interesting vehicles for sale in this country, obtaining from europe is pretty expensive now.

Come along to an event to see how they go in the field, the landrover boys are always suprised by where we go and what we do, and hate the fact that we can brew up and sleep in our vans in comfort. But you will not be able to make a winch challenge type truck out of a syncro, if that's the thing then get a jeep and mod it, but these make perfect green laning vehicles, gearing is suitable, no faffing in and out of low range or 4wd mode.

Running a landrover would probably be cheaper but a syncro will be a LOT nicer to be in and more versatile imho.

16" are rare, and limited inprovement in ground clearance, braking, you could mod a 14" to do what you want without the worry of more expensive and rarer bits.

Parts availability is limited but CJ usually has everything you need and Simon Baxter at Brickwerks has sources for most things new too.

very helpful advise i'll be showing my ugly mug at the next meet, never been one for the cheap and easy route .....owt to be different, vw in my vains