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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ogden Valley area, UT
Posts: 1,047
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synchro bus?
anybody have any experience with the VW synchro bus?
I'm beginning the search for a new weekend river ride, and from the videos I've seen, these things are the bee's knees! opinions or any leads are appreciated. ~Chris |
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09-23-2008, 09:04 AM
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AutoBahned
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great in its day! cannot match modern elec. spin control on ice/snow/wet; nor match a big motor, auto trans, 4wd rock crawler type thing
a real cult vehicle, camper is esp. "neato" many add-ons avail. - lights from S. Afr., etc. 4wd system is big maint. & repair hassle with high prices Vanagon bus ("brick") met all car safety stds. in its day, unlike the deathbox, knee-capper earlier "bread loaf" models several web sites on these - they are muy $$ too when the overstessed motor dies install 3L 911; diesel; or adv. hybrid setup would be killer in these things |
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09-23-2008, 09:38 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: San Jose
Posts: 4,622
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I had a 1987 Syncro and loved it. The guy I sold it to still has it and has put over 200 thousand miles on it. The one big thing I always wanted from it was more horse power. Other then that....two thumbs up.
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Dan 2002 996 C4 Cab w/ Jake Raby 4.0 2024 Tacoma TRD Offroad 4x4 2003 Range Rover HSE |
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09-23-2008, 11:19 AM
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A guy that works in the same building as me has one. I have to concentrate hard when I walk by it to not either leave a note, or steal it.
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09-23-2008, 11:26 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: the beach
Posts: 5,149
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I have a 1989 syncro double cab and I love it. They are very good off-road. There's an awful lot to write about it, so I suggest you lurk on www.thesamba.com. They have a vanagon forum. You'll also find info at www.gowesty.com.
As I said, I love mine. But it is a cult vehicle. Big, modern American 4X4s are better in many ways, simply because the newest vanagon is 17 years old. A new truck will be less trouble (maybe), but my vanagon has been very reliable. The old syncros are hands-down winners in the cool department, especially if you're a VW nut, like me. After all, it's a rear-engine car. A well-sorted syncro is expensive for an old car, but still less than a new 4X4. And it will go up, not down, in value. They get about 20 mpg. As for off-road, I've seen syncro campers go up hill climbs that Jeep CJs couldn't do. They're not as expensive to maintain as people say, and are easy to work on. Bottom line, my Dodge Dakota 4X4 was dull as could be. The Vanagon is a lot of fun. But that's me. I also like my 38-year-old Porsche.
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Charlie 1966 912 Polo Red 1950 VW Bug 1983 VW Westfalia; 1989 VW Syncro Tristar Doka |
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09-23-2008, 11:33 AM
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Un Chien Andalusia
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My Uncle has one which he has been working on and using for about the last 20 years. It may well have started off as a camper or he may have been converting it from a normal van. He's certaily been doing a lot of interior work on it although progress is very sedate. It has served him very well on his camping trips to the back of beyond in the meantime.
Like someone else said, I'm sure 4WD has moved on considerably since these were made but it has got him into, and more importantly out of, some way out-of-the-way places. Some of the more remote canyons in Death Valley are some of the popular hikes if I'm not mistaken. He does seem to have had a few cylinder head problems with it but when you consider the miles he's probably put on the thing it not too much of an issue. If you're seriously interested PM me and I'll ask him any detailed questions you care to pass along.
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2002 996 Carrera - Seal Grey (Daily Driver / Track Car) 1964 Morris Mini - Former Finnish Rally Car 1987 911 Carrera Coupe - Carmine Red - SOLD :-( 1998 986 Boxster - Black - SOLD 1984 944 - Red - SOLD |
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09-23-2008, 12:22 PM
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AutoBahned
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yup - and if maintained, it will continue with that same ability level indefinitely
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09-23-2008, 02:56 PM
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Soldier of Fortune
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 987
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Check out the TriStar Doka...much more practical than a van...you can get a camper-tent set-up for the back, but when you want to haul stuff, you've got a pick up. Subaru conversions are the way to go with these:
 
Last edited by DasBoot; 09-23-2008 at 03:33 PM.. |
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09-23-2008, 03:23 PM
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Custom User Title
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Miami
Posts: 4,294
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I don't know anything, but I know I think they are cool. There's videos of these doing rock climbs. Its apparent that they are far from stock, but its cool to see someone rock-climbing with a vehicle that they can live in too.
I imagine a WRX engine in there would really wake it up. |
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09-23-2008, 03:31 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: the beach
Posts: 5,149
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This'll get you to the river. And across it, too. This one's in Baja. Notice that he's actually towing the van.
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Charlie 1966 912 Polo Red 1950 VW Bug 1983 VW Westfalia; 1989 VW Syncro Tristar Doka |
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09-23-2008, 07:03 PM
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beancounter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Weehawken, NJ
Posts: 3,593
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Definitely a high cool factor. I stumbled upon a thread in a VW online forum where a guy had put in a Subaru STI turbo engine. Now THAT is really sweet!
Found him on google: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2301589
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Jacob Current: 1983 911 GT4 Race Car / 1999 Spec Miata / 2000 MB SL500 / 1998 MB E300TD / 1998 BMW R1100RT / 2016 KTM Duke 690 Past: 2009 997 Turbo Cab / 1979 930 |
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09-23-2008, 07:11 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: the beach
Posts: 5,149
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Quote:
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Charlie 1966 912 Polo Red 1950 VW Bug 1983 VW Westfalia; 1989 VW Syncro Tristar Doka |
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09-23-2008, 07:55 PM
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