Date:         Tue, 5 Sep 2006 06:50:36 -0700
Reply-To:     Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Who syncro-knows it all?
Comments: To: Zeitgeist <gruengeist@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <1b85fa6a0609042243u49f782d6u710f73a90c05df01@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

As long as you have both vehicles near each other, it is not all that
hard to convert a 2wd to Syncro. But it is NOT just a matter of
unbolting the 2wd stuff and bolting in the Syncro bits. The front frame
section is different. After unbolting all the 2wd front suspension and
steering parts, you need to cut away a lot of metal, then you can bolt
the Syncro front sub frame in. The 2wd crossmember for the steering rack
is in the wrong place and must be cut out and the Syncro crossmember
part welded or bolted in. There is no going back!

In the rear, the trannys bolt in much differently, and the engine/tranny
must be lowered to allow room for the rear fuel tank.

Mark

Zeitgeist wrote:

> Ok................
>
> 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?
>
>