Well, I assume you know all the things to look for in = a Vanagon with 140k miles on it, so I won't go into all that.  As = far as the Syncro stuff is concerned, I would look closely at the = following:

1. Transmission.  Any rebuilds?  If not, it = may be due soon (about $2,500 for quality work AFAIK)

2. The VC - First, make sure the drive shaft is = there. (If the VC is toasted, many people remove the drive shaft) Then = check the operation of the VC.   This is a tricky thing to = check, but you should be able to jack up the entire rear end with a = floor jack, start the engine, and using the clutch and brake, get the = rears turning at about 10-20 rpms before the fronts want to pull the = car forward.  If you let the clutch all the way out at idle, it = will pull forward so you have to kind of feather the clutch and tap the = brakes.  There is also another method using a torque wrench that = Steve Schwenk just posted recently.  (I don't have the details = with me).

3. Check all the CV joints for the usual wear - = there's twice as many of them to wear out!

4. Drive at highway speeds and be very mindful of any = vibrations that come and go with speed.  The usual report is that = they hit at around 50 mph. These are often caused by improperly = balanced drive shafts (happens when shops replace the U-joints and not = the entire shaft).  The PO of my Syncro replaced the u-joints 4 = times before giving up and replacing the entire shaft with a new VW = unit.

5.  Check to make sure all the tires are the = same size, brand, and have the same amount of wear on them (within 2.5 = mm).

6. Check the operation of the diff lock.  This = can be tricky, but you should be able to check it by jacking the rear = up into the air and engaging it while the engine is running and in = neutral (engine is required since it uses vacuum to engage).  Have = someone pull the knob and listen for the actuation of the solenoid. = (ANYONE ELSE HAVE IDEAS ON CHECKING THE DIFF LOCK??)

That's about all I can think of off the top of my = head...

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.C= OM]On Behalf
> Of Chris Hazen
> Sent: Monday, March 27, 2000 2:38 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Syncro upgrade?
>
>
> Sorry for repeat - new to list and did not find = info in
> archive relative to question.
>
> I currently own a '87 GL Westy (156K, rebuilt = eng. 25K ago,
> very clean) and am contemplating upgrading (?) = to a '87
> Syncro Westy - original owner (an = acquaintance), 140K, 5 sp
> (were they all?), Locking diffs', clean = interior etc....
>
> 1. I do most of the work on my '87, how = different am I going
> to find the Syncro? 
> 2. What do I need to pay attention to when = scoping the
> vehicle out and negotiating a price?
> 3. Realizing market values - what is a fair = price range for
> the vehicle - and a fair sales price for my = vehicle?
>
> I live in the mountain interior of Colorado, = and have "made
> due" with the rear wheel drive, but would = obviously benefit
> from the Syncro option.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Chris
> Telluride, CO
> '87 Westy
> '73 Commando
>