Date:         Sun, 4 Jul 1999 11:49:41 EDT
Reply-To:     ESNTLRADIO@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         - Jeffrey Dingle <ESNTLRADIO@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: [Fwd: Fwd: CamperVW] - Synro Tranny Blues . . .
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

4 July - 12:00 PM - Boston

Dear David:

To steal a quote from Bill Clinton, "I feel your pain . . ."

I have a 87 Syncro whose transmission bit the dust two weeks ago.  What a
drag it was.  Returning from my 20th college reunion at Cornell in Ithaca,
NY, on my way back to Boston, 1 hour into the trip, on the back roads of New
York, wife and 3 young kids, 90 degrees in the shade . . . dead in the water.

When I finally made it back to Boston via a rental car (2:30 in the morning),
I faced the task of what to do.  Sell it as is (for next to nothing)?  Pull a
used one out of a junkyard (good luck with a Syncro)?  Get one from VW (they
quoted me $4,500 just for the tranny!!!)? Get mine rebuilt or get a unit
already rebuilt?

Well, after much soul searching, phone calls, web surfing, I bit the bullet
and went for a rebuilt tranny.  As I write, it should be in Ithaca, awaiting
installation next Tuesday.  Here's what I learned (sobering) and what I would
recommend, assuming you want to keep your car - it being a 90 Syncro Westy,
I'd definitely want to hold onto it.

First, as far as I know, the only place where they rebuild Vanagon trannys is
in California and Washington.  There are basically two options - ship your
tranny to CA or WA, have it rebuilt, and have it shipped back, or buy one
that's already rebuilt, have it shipped to your mechanic, and then ship your
core back to CA.  I chose the latter for a couple of reasons.  By the time I
got my tranny removed, shipped to CA, rebuilt (no firm price until they tear
it apart) and shipped back, a month could go by - and I wouldn't know what I
was getting into until they got it.

With one exception, no one has got a Syncro tranny "on the shelf" ready to
go.  Estimates for a rebuild ranged from $1,000 to +$2,000, 12 month, 12,000
mile warranty.  I found one shop who had a tranny ready to ship, with a 24
month, unlimited miles (within 24 months) warranty.  Having spoken with at
least 6 rebuilders in CA, I went with this shop even though they were more
expensive (they were highly recommended by an VW engine rebuilder in Boston).
 Based on all my conversations with the owner, I know I've found the right
place and I would recommend them to anyone with a Vanagon tranny.  Top notch
as far as my impression is concerned.

They are:

        Rick & Didi Long
        LONG ENTERPRISES
        2475 Morse Rd
        Sebastopol, CVA, 95472

        (707) 829-1169

Here's the deal (remember, we have Syncros).

        Rebuilt tranny: $2,400 (a regular 4 speed is only $1,200)
        Core charge:            $600 (refunded as soon as your old tranny is
shipped back)
        Shipping:               Approximately $75 UPS, 5-7 business days to
East Coast
        Warranty:               24 months, unlimted miles

Call Rick Long and talk with him (tell him I recommended him to you) - if you
want to keep your Syncro, I think it's money well invested.  I was extremely
impressed with Rick - he definetly knows his stuff.  I'd be interested to
hear from anyone else who has purchased rebuilt Syncro trannys.

Let me know how you make out - I should be "on the road" next week!

Jeffrey Dingle


In a message dated 7/3/99 8:29:24 AM, raritat@MEGSINET.COM writes:

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