Club 80-90 Forums

This is just an appreciation message about syncros, I love them all. We should not care whether they are petrol, diesel, have high tops or tin tops, LPG, no diff locks, decouplers, big bumpers, Lhd or Rhd. It just does not matter, each of our syncros is unique and special. We should just basque in the knowledge that we all have recognised what special vehicles they are. If my Syncro was a 1.6 diesel or 1.9 DG or AAZ or whatever, so what, it just happens to be a DJ, let's all just live with what we have and get back to being a constructive forum enjoying the benefits that our own particular vehicles bring us.

What is he on about you might ask, well I have just spent two weeks without my Syncro, whilst that rear end damage was being repaired by Syncrospares in South Molton. I just drove her home tonight and have realised again what special vehicles they are. I love em. SS have done a great job and put themselves out to make a really special job. Every cloud (being rear-ended) has a silver lining.

So more enjoyment of these excellent vehicles please.

I really don't think that driving anything else gives me the pleasure of the Syncro.


Simon.

missing mine too. first time its left home since i`ve had it.

Missing both of mine at the moment, I was hoping to be driving the Doka but it looks like that plan has gone breasticles up somehow too. Just had to beg the farther in law to hang on to his *cough* escort van for a little while longer

jed

Here here. Well Said.
I'm missing driving the doka right now as the gearbox is out and count myself very fortunate to have an alternative.

Can't ever see me being without one.

Rich

I wish that I could echo Simon's comments bit I can't. I hate ours quite a lot. It's crap. Everything seems to take twice as long and cost twice as much compared to a 2wd, but maybe a lot of that is due to the hard life and neglect it suffered in it's former years.
However, I will love it when the snow arrives, just like last year.
I also get a perverse kick out of seeing how little I can get away with to keep it on the road. If it was pristine, I'd be scared of damaging it. It's a thinking man's Land Rover and I regard it as such.
Am I the only one who's syncro is bottom of their T3 food chain?

silverbullet wrote: Am I the only one who's syncro is bottom of their T3 food chain?

I would think so! Really the only T3 that may equal a syncro is a lowered 2WD running 400BHP.

These vehicles need constant maintenance. If yours doesn't make you smile at times, maybe you should move it on. Then you could by a diesel, which would make you smile all of the time!! Unless like me you have an electrical fault you can't find!

It was never going to be a looker! That's why I'm calling it The Blue Moose* from now on (all credit to Paul and the Horse) Sure it's capable enough and a great all-rounder, but it has pi$$ed me off a lot recently. MOT tomoz so maybe that's why I'm gloomy...

*After a scorched bloody steak combined with our old college colloquial term for a brutally unattractive woman

silverbullet wrote: It's a thinking man's Land Rover

Love that.

But I am 6 years in, and sometimes you have to have something taken away to realise its true worth.

Tomorrow she will infuriate me somehow I expect. Like sorting the list of things Syncrospares suggested I attend to. Which I will have to do. Still it is good for Baxter I suppose. Big order on its way!

when mine was off the road I was happy in the knowledge that it would be back!
But as the path became less clear,
and, through the dark times
with engine transplant and full transmission strip down in progress
I was not blessed with the same attitude of mind.
When my fingers were blue, and i could not see the way ahead . . Yes I Cried
Although not a jealous man, I could find no Solis in other foooookers pleasure.
So to all who have there van in bits and who's love for their van, doka, camper, or panel van
is being tested,

PM. me, CASH WAITING!

I'd like to have two

Definitely a love/hate relationship. How can you appreciate the highs, without the lows!

lloydy wrote:I'd like to have two

It works well. You can drive one whilst fixing the other. Leaves you skint though.

sometimes you have to have something taken away to realise its true worth.

I've really missed my 2.6 being out of action over what turned out to be such a piddling fault in the end. But it was a nightmare in the snow and ice, lighting up a rear wheel at the slightest whiff of the throttle. The syncro definitely has it's place, couldn't really live without it. In fact we've never been without a 4x4 as a family, come to think of it. People don't believe you when you tell them the syncro is a 4WD, so that's always satisfying!

Same sentiments as Simon. I just love ours and it is definately a keeper. Just about to replace the VC which has failed open and costs a lot. Also have a list of jobs as long as both my arms to do over the winter but even that is a bit of therapy as its very different to what I do for a living.

In the Picos we got just about everywhere the others did even without a VC and last winter in the snow it was just one big grin We have spent a total of 41 nights camping in it this year including two and a half weeks in Northumberland and the Lakes and a week in Spain. The rest has been weekends etc around Cornwall and Devon. Yes, it will cost us and take some work to keep it up to scratch but its worth every penny and all the effort.

Off to the Lakes again and S of France next year. Also hopefully some more Syncronauts events.

We all love ours, but still cant part with our X-Army 2WD doka.
Maybe I'll show it some love and an engine transplant I've been promising