Hello (7 Passenger Syncro w/ EJ25 swap build)

[rs4-380]

Joining your ranks as I just picked up this syncro. I've already ordered the bentley but get ready for tons of questions, because the more I dig around the more I realize how totally different these cars are from other VW's of the era.

[unimogken]

Welcome to the club!

I've had mine about a month and a half and loving it!

I read the Bentley every night before bed.....hehe

[dart330]

Sharp looking Syncro! Got anymore pics?

[rs4-380]

I'll get some up soon. Van is in pretty good shape and runs well, but has a couple issues. I'd still say it was worth the 900 bucks I paid for it.

-needs a clutch (have a heavy duty setup on the way)
-will need new tires to pass inspection here (ordered some 27x8.5 duelers)
-Diff lock has been disabled, but from what I can tell it's a simple fix if you spend some time with it
-Has some seam rust starting, but I'm used to rust from my a1 background and I'll be jumping on it first thing.
-Has a decent sized hole in the driver side rocker panel, but from the looks of it, it's a n easy patch.

I'm so used to lowering cars that it seems strange to raise one

[OEMplus.com]

Quote, originally posted by rs4-380 »

I'd still say it was worth the 900 bucks I paid for it.

You sir, SUCK!

[MagicBus]

Welcome to the club

I have a Flash Silver '91 non-syncro, but the resemblance is quite strong.

[Horrido Beetle]

$900.00 bucks for a trailer-able deer blind................

Wait until you feel and hear that horrible sucking sound of your wallet as THE CASH FLOWS OUT OF IT................................................ .....

that clutch job will cost well over a $1000.00 bucks and the bad news (when/if the guy you found to do the job) - tells you your gas tank straps are rusted through. Not to mention that the expansion tanks on the fuel tank and the vent gaskets are shot and drops 2 to 3 gallons with every full tank.

Daddy?......Why is the Syncro peeing around every turn?

That grinding noise is your VC and its frozen. Your Servo is shot - no green light baby. ......... Plus the 7500.00 plus labor for that Subie conversion you just got to have.

OH........ and of course ...You got to get those 16 inch wheels with the big BF Goodrich tires. Not that you'll ever trust the "Piece O Chit" to every get out of anything bigger than a inflatable pool size mud puddle on cement. AND ALL OF YOU KNOW WHAT I"M TALKING ABOUT!

keep a log and please flush when you've paid enough for a FJ Cruiser or Hummer H2. 0% for 60 months - it's free money DUDES!

i know ......... I'm NEGATIVE....... BUT I've BEEN HERE BEFORE.

Let the replacement part hunting begin!!

Good Luck!

HORRIDO

P.S. All I'm saying is it's a real labor of love keeping these old vans on the road.


Modified by Horrido Beetle at 6:15 AM 8-16-2006

[tdi_twins]

Too bad we can't ban you, Horrido 'get a Honda' Beetle.
I'm a getting tired of your Honda picts and now the deer is way over the top!

[Horrido Beetle]

Later....................................


Modified by Horrido Beetle at 11:54 AM 8-16-2006

[rs4-380]

thanks for everything you "contributed" horrido.

I do my own work. Basic maintenance to engine swaps. That clutch job is going to cost me what I paid for the clutch kit. The gas tank straps are rusted, and when they need to be, I'll replace them. The ej22 swap won't cost me anymore then the 1000 bucks spent on the adaptation kit and the 300 dollars spent on the donor car that are so prevelant up here.

If the vc blows up, or if something else happens that I can't deal with, I sell the van as-is to my local vanagon mechanic, and chalk it up to fun while it lasted. I don't need this van to get me to work everyday, I don't need this van to get me across the country. It serves a specific purpose in my world of vehicle needs, and that is it.

[J_Westy]

Quote, originally posted by tdi_twins »

Too bad we can't ban you, Horrido 'get a Honda' Beetle.

Ditto.

Ignoring his threads doesn't even work because he keep high-jacking other people's threads with his BS

[Provocyclist]

Horriddo:

[vanaguy]

Quote, originally posted by Horrido Beetle »

Not to mention that the expansion tanks on the fuel tank and the vent gaskets are shot and drops 2 to 3 gallons with every full tank.

Huh. Not trying to feed a troll here folks, but I was under the impression that this only happens to 2WD Vanagons.
I base this on reading the "main" Vanagon, along with the syncro, subie-conversion, and vw-camping mailing lists for the last 5 years. Never heard of a problem with the 4WD vents, etc.
So... is this real?

[rs4-380]

to get off the topic of horrido....

first new stuff showed up today

[Horrido Beetle]

I WAS HAVING A BAD NIGHT.....

After reading the crap I wrote and the pictures I posted...........I removed them.

I can't stay away from these VW's - Looking at a '66 Bug.

NICE TIRES..........

HORRIDO

[rs4-380]

Quote, originally posted by Horrido Beetle »

NICE TIRES..........

[rs4-380]

started to tackle some smaller things today. Got rust bullet on the bad seams, and fixed the passenger side window, which wasn't working (it was weird, traced it to the connector between the switch and the motor, so I just cut it out, spliced the wires, and it works great).

Tomorrow hope to get the new tires on the wheels, figure out why the lights always stay on when in the door open position (ie figure which switch is bad), figure out why my temp gauge is not working, reset the oxs light, and look into the front end clunk I am getting over big bumps.

I do have to say though, this thing is a blast. Totally different then my other vws.

[rs4-380]

cleaned the inside a little today.

Also, fixed the temp gauge (corroded connector on the actual sender), the sliding door (had gotten a new lower bearing assembly off ebay), tightened the spring on the passenger side mirror so it doesn't slowly slide off of where you adjust it too, fixed the interior light issue (the switch in the hatch was bad, staying on when everything was shut, reset the OXS light, and finally, got the tires on. Looks much better with the bigger rubber IMO.

before

after

[jordanvw]

looks like the top of the line for '87..with the diff lock, power windows, power mirrors, and the weekender interior.
that was an expensive van when it was new, optioned out like that...
i noticed your missing your passengers side power mirror... do u still have it? i have some if you need them..

ps, remove your front carpet, and shampoo it and pressurewash it! it makes a big difference and its easy to do..

[rs4-380]

yeah, the carpet needs some work. I do have the old electric passenger mirror, not sure why the swapped it out for a manual one (motor seems shot on the driver side too), but either way, i don't have a problem adjusting them by hand either way.

Interesting you say that about intial price as I just registered the van today and was surprised by the base rate they used to calculate the fee. Do you have any idea what they sold for when new?

[Jesslop]

I almost bought a new '87 GL in late 87 or early 88 and I recall the asking price around $17k.
Cheers,
Jess

[rs4-380]

I can see

[vanaguy]

Looks like fun! Did you put relays on the headlights yet?

[rs4-380]

Quote, originally posted by vanaguy »

Looks like fun! Did you put relays on the headlights yet?

nope, wont' need them with the new lights

Took care of the jack problem (my floor jack won't really lift the van). Also bent my bumper back into relatively straight shape, and mounted an old saab foglight as a backup light. You can also see my smokin' new mudflaps.

got some floor mats that fit, and did something I usually don't do, and spent money on a new stereo.

FIxed my brake lights with an old switch I had laying around from the rabbit, and adjusted the reverse light switch.

[stagger_lee]

What a steal. Love the blacked out wheels. A must for all vehicles I think! chrome sux. Keep us all posted. things a beaut! Cheers!

[vanaguy]

Quote, originally posted by rs4-380 »

nope, wont' need them with the new lights.

Absolutely true until your headlight switch burns out. Carry a spare.

Quote, originally posted by rs4-380 »

Took care of the jack problem (my floor jack won't really lift the van). Also bent my bumper back into relatively straight shape, and mounted an old saab foglight as a backup light.

Hey! It's starting to look like mine!

[rs4-380]

Quote, originally posted by vanaguy »

Absolutely true until your headlight switch burns out. Carry a spare.

I thought you meant in order to get more light output. I wasn't aware familar they went bad with just the stock headlights.

Quote, originally posted by vanaguy »

Hey! It's starting to look like mine!

whoa, you don't say! I actually like you backup light location better. I have a feeling mine is going to get wacked quite a bit.

[vanaguy]

Quote, originally posted by rs4-380 »

I thought you meant in order to get more light output. I wasn't aware familar they went bad with just the stock headlights.

Actually, you do get better light from the stock lamps with relays. It almost makes up for the sucky pattern!
But yeah, the switch tends to burn out. You are also likely to lose the electrical half of the ignition switch. When that happens you'll have no headlights AND your heater fan won't work.
Besides those, I also carry a spare load reduction relay and coolant light relay. They should be numbered 17 (or 18) and 42 (or 43), respectively, on the main fuse panel.

[Green T4]

Looks great! Reminds me of my son's departed T3 Transporter. His had the same centre row seats (same colour too).

Maris

[unimogken]

Whooo hooo!

Another conversion in the works!

I just picked up my $600 '93 Legacy last week and hid it in my garage before my neighbors had a chance to complain about having a wrecked car in my driveway... hehe

[Vanagon-S]

So addictive!

You've been bitten. This how mine started also...

[rs4-380]

Picked this up this weekend. 2001 2.5l w/ 65k.

[Vanagon-S]

Nice 2.5!

Looks like you have an EGR valve. You're going to have to plump the feed hose from the front instead of reversing the manifold.

Throw those crash guards away, the ones that are covering the injectors. They'll get in the way.

[rs4-380]

Quote, originally posted by Vanagon-S »

Looks like you have an EGR valve. You're going to have to plump the feed hose from the front instead of reversing the manifold.

car to elaborate on why it won't work? I wasn't familar with the situation.

[Vanagon-S]

Your 2.5 EGR is piped directly into the side of the head and is bolted to the intake manifold. It would be in the way if you could reverse your coolant manifold. Not to worry, there are a few Subaru conversion parts guys that make a nice stainless pipe solution that takes the coolant from the stock subaru location.

like this one: