Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2006 08:30:50 -0400
Reply-To: Christopher Gronski <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Christopher Gronski <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Who syncro-knows it all?
In-Reply-To: <1b85fa6a0609042243u49f782d6u710f73a90c05df01@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Unless you really want the mechanical challenge swap the interior or
wait for the perfect van. Everything you've said you wanted
- A/C: Decently complicated job if its not there at all, it would be
nice if your van had this (even if it is not working), but not
necessary Vanagon A/C is marginal at best. If A/C is all that stands
between you and your dream van, but it sans A/C and install a Behr
unit. Syncros already come with upgraded fans, condensors etc. that
you are going to want in whatever van you buy.
- Power Windows, Door Locks, and Mirrors: Easy, Easy Easy
- Cruise: Aftermarket is Easy and more reliable than stock
- Lower Body Cladding: No idea, but I thought the idea of a suncro was
maximum ground clearance and minimum overhangs
- Weekender interior: Can be had in most stock syncros, interior swaps
take a weekend or so
- Leather Steering / Alloys: An hour each at BEST
Basically you can do everything you want to do on a long weekend, I
can"t even imagine how long a full suspension and drivetrain swap will
take. Weeks or months depending on how much time you devote to it at
least.
Many members see their vans as works in progress, they get a van that
is "almost there" in terms of what they are looking for, then they add
the various upgrades they are after over time.
My current van started as a deer damaged, UPS brown, syncro westy. It
is now an Alpine white, westfalia-adventurewagen hybrid with too many
upgrades to mention.
Chris
On 9/5/06, Zeitgeist <gruengeist@gmail.com> wrote:
> Ok, this seems to be the general consensus I'm hearing, but let me be clear,
> I want ALL of the options my Wolfsburg Edition van has, in an AWD vehicle.
> I don't think I've seen too many Syncros with ALL of the following:
>
> - A/C
> - PW
> - PDL
> - Cruise
> - PM
> - Lower body cladding
> - Weekender interior package
> - '89 WE upholstery
> - Leather steering wheel
> - Alloy wheels
>
> Most affordable Syncros appear to be stripped down versions, which would
> require lots of custom wiring swaps. I'd much rather swap over the front
> suspension, driveline, transmission and fuel tank, in order to meet my
> specification list. Wholesale electrical upgrades are far more of a PITA
> from my perspective. And yes, I will be doing all the labor myself--I have
> the space and equipment to do so.
>
> What I really need to know is whether Syncro upper and lower control arms
> can be directly swapped into a 2WD chassis. Are the steering racks the
> same? Transmission mounts?
>
> TIA (not my name--see below)
>
> On 9/4/06, JordanVw@aol.com <JordanVw@aol.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > its easier to install the wolfsburg interior into a syncro passenger van,
> > than the syncro stuff on a 2wd.....
> >
> >
> Casey
> Olympia, WA
> Biodiesel: "I drive in a persistent vegetative state"
> '87 300TD intercooler #22 (218k)
> '84 300D (216k)
> Gashuffer:
> '89 Vanagon Wolfsburg Edition (187K)
> http://users.zhonka.net/zeitgeist/Misc/IMG_0171.JPG
>
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