Syncro Kombi (new pictures and a proper update)

[poshbuggers]

Last week I collected my 2nd Syncro (a Kombi this time), an Ebay find of pure chance which I am (up to yet, very pleased with). It's already proved its worth getting me out to friends in remote places, undrivable roads and in pulling out stranded housewives.





The van was purchased from it's owner of the last 3 years, a proofreader for Camper&Bus magazine who has used it for small trips on his vineyard in Hungary and travelling to and from the UK twice a year. It's had only 3 owners from new and seems reasonably original, with a few nice options and good mechanicals and bodywork. It has grey vinyl seats (2 cab seats and 2 triple seat rows) and the basic grey coated panel interior. Bodywork required is a cleanup on a few of the seams but nothing intrusive is needed.

Inputting the VIN number and white sticker details onto the computer came up with the following information:

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Region: Europe [ W ]
Manufacturer: Volkswagen [ V ]
Car Type: Multi Purpose Vehicle [ 2 ]
Body Style: Filler character: No meaning [ Z ] (not specified)
Engine: Filler character: No meaning [ Z ] (not specified)
Restraint(seatbelts): Filler character: No meaning [ Z ] (not specified)
Model: Transporter (Vans), Vanagon [ 25 ]
Year: 1989 February [ K ]
Assembly Plant: Steyr/Graz, Austria [ G ]
Serial #: 084385

White Sticker details/option codes: 3801 09-7-6034 186 60
Typ: 253 5AC (LHD Kombi)
Engine: DJ (2,1l 4-cyl. Flat4 water-cooled with injection from 85on 82kw / 112bhp)
Gearbox: AKG (2,1l petrol. 11.86 - 89, Drives: Gelande 6,03, 1st 3,78 2nd 2,06, 3rd 1,23, 4th 0,85 Rev 6,03, Final Drive 4,57, Diff lockable, 4WD VC-PTO)
Paint code: L90D (Pastel White)
Interior: QQ (????)

M number options:
CAG HYM LYA RAA
M425 - tailgate rear wash/wipe
M503 - roof lining of load space (hard fiber board)
M558 - secondary battery with isolating relays
M561 - ventilation windows in the driving cab doors
M675 - Rev Counter
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So I am not sure what the interior code means or the M425,503,558 numbers either. The van also has power steering (M657) which may have been added at a later date. Either that or the M675 code was mistyped or the rev counter dash was removed on import to the UK (km/mph swap).

The van has the Syncro swan neck towbar , sliding middle window and also opening quarterlights. The rear difflock is still in situ and working.

My plan is to fit my spare Westfalia roof (seems this is going to be an epic job!) and a camping interior (Westy/Multivan combo) as well as some choice extras I have stocked up on over the last year (Ortec wheel carrier, dash tidy, SA upper lights and grille, heated Recaro seats, bullbar, smoked lights, CB Radio, Bluetooth head unit, insulated Westy windows, Tristar arches, whistle stop door kit, heated truck mirrors, underslung LPG tank, Merc Penta 16" wheels on 225/75R16 tyres, Syncro Services lift kit, light guards and more....

I'll be adding 2wd HD springs, uprated shocks, a propex kit, Thule roof basket, ladder and fuel can carrier over time.

We are weighing up our options on the interior at the moment. Having used an early Westy for the last year we have outlined pros and cons of the layout and equipment. There are aspects of the Westy gear we find awkward and the thought of a full width R&R bed is attractive. We may opt for a Westfalia Multivan setup with the rear wardrobe, locker and removable Kuchenblock, but the wife does like a 2 ring hob. Bodywise a tidy, textured stonechip protection to the sideplank swage line, reinstated stickers on the doors and better bumpers are all I intend to do.

Bring on the warmer weather, I need to get busy

[syncropaddy]

Nice van ......

Are the Merc Penta rims 8x16? If so it is not recommended to fit 225/75/16 tyres on that size rim. 7" is the max for a 225

[poshbuggers]

Thanks for that syncropaddy.

Yes, they are 8's and I have been told they will/won't suit a 225/75. Looking at the tyres (which I happen to have on some other rims) I don't think they would either and am looking at something different.

Ideally to suit the Pentas but with a lower profile to match the 2.1DJ/AKG gearbox drivetrain.

[syncropaddy]

235/60/16 from a Suzuki Vitara will fit and give you better gearing. You might have to do the sliding door hinge though

[poshbuggers]

Thanks again. I was planning on doing the hinge mod anyway as I don't want the Tristar arches scuffed.

I'll check those tyres out.

[Mick & Tracey]

What's a whistle stop door kit?

[jed the spread]

I had this email a while back, is this the van in question?

Hi Jed,
I work for Camper and Bus and have a Syncro for sale (1988, 8-seater, reliable) if you know anyone interested. At the moment it's getting MOT'd in Carshalton. I'd be looking for around £3k as it's never let me down in 2 years, though it's only been doing a few off-road miles over the last two years. However, I drove it back from Hungary on Monday (700 miles straight on day one) no probs. It's a left-hooker on british plates.

Simon Hursthouse
tour-central.com
+36 48 464 292
+36 70 653 1734 m

[peasant]

. Bodywise a tidy, textured stonechip protection to the sideplank swage line, reinstated stickers on the doors and better bumpers are all I intend to do.

You might want to rip out the interior and floor first and look after that rust around the bottom sill behind the B-pillar (and at both rear wheel arches) and do it properly before you add bling and fancy interior.

no offence meant ...but those areas look suspiscious in the pics

[poshbuggers]

You might want to rip out the interior and floor first and look after that rust around the bottom sill behind the B-pillar (and at both rear wheel arches) and do it properly before you add bling and fancy interior.

no offence meant ...but those areas look suspiscious in the pics

No offence taken. To be honest the pictures make it look worse than it is but I do intend to wire brush it and get some Vactan (on order) in there.

Most of it seems to be discolouration rather than rust. It shows up nicely on a white van

[jed the spread]

I had this email a while back, is this the van in question?

Hi Jed,
I work for Camper and Bus and have a Syncro for sale (1988, 8-seater, reliable) if you know anyone interested. At the moment it's getting MOT'd in Carshalton. I'd be looking for around £3k as it's never let me down in 2 years, though it's only been doing a few off-road miles over the last two years. However, I drove it back from Hungary on Monday (700 miles straight on day one) no probs. It's a left-hooker on british plates.

Simon Hursthouse
tour-central.com
+36 48 464 292
+36 70 653 1734 m

Well was it?

jed

[poshbuggers]

That's the one.

But I didn't pay anywhere near that much.

[poshbuggers]

Time for a brief update.

I've been using the van for daily use since my last post. The only issues that have cropped up are occasional erratic idle, rich fuelling and squeaky front suspension.

To get it sorted it is booked in for a checkover front to back, full service and complete refurbishment of the front suspension. The ones on it all seem perished and ripe for replacement so I have had a set of front uprights rebuilt with new bearings, seals and extended studs fitted. That, the Syncro Services lift kit (and the refurbished front locking diff which I shall be fitting at some point) should see the front end done for a while. At the rear I am having extended studs fitted and the other half of the lift kit. The rubber bits there will be replaced once I have funds to do the lot. 8Jx16"Merc Pentas with new Multivan 225/65R16C Commercial Rated tyres will provide the traction. Bigger than a standard Syncro 205/14 combo but not as big as a 225/75R16.

I gutted the interior to reveal some minor work needed to the inner sill (usual behind the cooker area) and the vertical seams up from it. These are going to be cleaned up and Vactan treated. Thankfully they aren't anywhere near terminal

I'm putting together a Westfalia interior based on the Club Joker 2 layout (short wardrobe, overhead locker, full width R&R bench, small seat and short kitchen block with a buddy box). The units I have need work but mainly cosmetic and will be recovered/painted to give them a new lease of life. As we only use the poptop for occasional child storage we decided to go with a more 'lightweight' interior layout, geared for short stay, social use rather than the mass storage of the Club Joker 1 setup. I'm installing a Westy swivel base on the passenger side, making the buddy box/seat a sort of recliner for when the wife wants a comfy chair and peace to read a book. The hob will be running from a genuine LPG tank (new gas flap door purchased) and as we don't do loads of cooking in the van we will be using the Westy gas takeoff to fuel an outdoor stove setup.

Other things that have arrived/been ordered/been fitted are a proper LHD dash tidy with the map table (installed), genuine Carat bumpers and door pods (ordered) and a bullbar.

The bullbar isn't specifically designed for a Syncro and to be honest I am not happy with how it mounts either, but it is the style I wanted. I'm going to rethink the mounts to make it functional, rather than cosmetic and add provision for the mounting of a couple of Hella spots on there.

I've fitted some light protection bars from Kernow Light Guards (Ebay seller) on the front indicators and rear lenses which have also been replaced. At the front I have DEPO smoked indicators and at the rear I have custom red/black smoked lenses in a style I created myself.

I'll get some pics together in the next few days and fill in the visual blanks.

[syncrowjoker]

Sounds like youve been busy!get those piccies up!

[Willburt]

Hi Yes you did get a bargain you bugger!!!!!!

I was in contact with Simon and he gave his word that you had first offer.

Nice Chap,

Good luck with it, I managed to track down a Doka Syncro originally from Switzerland a week later, but haven't had time to play

[poshbuggers]