Not perfect, but very close to. An awesome looking rig, proudly restored in Bolivia. After all the work, time and money invested into this project, it has less than 10 miles driven post-restoration.
Over the last +7 years I made several improvements, such as replacing those weak looking bumpers, improved lighting, installed a Tacoma single cab bench, a Toyota engine, rebuilt the transmission, added full AC and power steering, cool interior finish 100% insulated, performed a deep anti-rust chasis treatment, and even added a super cool “bumper to bumper” roof rack (which everybody seems to loves as much as I do!). I will attempt to review every aspect of this built to the best of my ability:
●Engine:
Yes, I gave up on the 2100cc VW motor; not because it was bad, but mainly because original parts for that engine are hard to find in South America. So, I imported several components from the US and Germany to keep it running, but after a few years of using it as a daily driver, I decided to look for another option that would make my life easier. I think the water-cooled boxer is nice, but I started feeling that an engine that old should be preserved not hammered. Of course, the Subaru EJ25 was my 1st. choice, but decided to go with a more commercial option; the Toyota 3S. A 2000cc. Japanese 4 in line cyl. gasoline injected engine, with more than 50HP over the stock VW H4, higher revs. engine, very reliable, and easy to work on/fix by most mechanics ????. Toyota parts are economic and easy to find anywhere you go to???? (which makes it an excellent option for overlanding). It fits just fine inside the engine bay with no modifications, plus I was able to keep a few VW components in their original locations, such as the air filter compartment, water reservoir, and even the VW clutch press. Of course, an aluminum adapting plate was needed, along with a merged VW/TOYOTA flywheel. This allowed me to keep the stock VW starter in the bell house. New AC DENSO compressor and new hydraulic steering pump. Engine can be easily accessed for quick inspection from a custom rear grill/hintched lid which also lets hot air flow out of the engine compartment. Overall, I am happy with this engine and its performance.
* As a plus, the original engine is included on a pallet inside the van, with all parts needed for a rebuilt (weather you keep it as a souvenir or put it back, it is nice to have the original power plant).
The TOYOTA engine swap, resulted in a "SYNCROYOTA" upgraded HYBRID, because I went further to improve other aspects with TOYOTA components, in order to get better performance and increased reliability.
Here is a list of those improvements:
○Brand new TACOMA 2016 single cab bench. It's frame was widened about 6 inches to fill the full lenght between door panels. This bench really changed the ride 200%; it is definitely stronger, taller, softer/cushier and 10 times more ergonomic than the stock VW. It was adapted with its original rails, so the entire seat adjusts forward and backards smoothly, plus the back also adjusts from 90 to 105 degrees. It seats 3 big guys no problem (better and more comfortable than in a stock TACOMA, since the SYNCRO has better front suspension by far;)
○TOYOTA HIACE heavy-duty front disc brake calipers, with ventilated discs and a much larger hydrobag. Now, this really improved breaking performance.
○TOYOTA LEVIN rear disc calipers, with brand new, heavy-duty hand brake system.
○TOYOTA PROBOX hydraulic steering auger (quite similar to the stock mechanical one).
○TOYOTA IPSUM exhaust silencer.
● Gearbox and transmission:
Refurbished 4-speed original transmission (1-4 F, 1 R and low G), with rear looking differential (no actuator, apparently did not come with it, nor its engaging knob, but it works, just needs a vacuum kit), new syncro rings, and several parts (too many to list), front diff. fully restored with new viscous gel + all new o-rings/seals, brand new front CV joints and shafts, brand new rear CV joints (all 4)
●Electrical:
New 65A battery, new fuse box, plus all relays and fuses, new inline electrical fuel pump, new engine ground cable, etc.
6.5" and 5" Led headlights, all imported from the US to upgrade to South African grill.
GoWesty - Terrapotz front/lower grill LED daylights.
Ambar fog lights and roof rack LED bar
Brand new VW OEM smoked stop lights, with 3rd. stop lights fitted to the rear bumper
Two slim/quiet fans added to the front of the radiator for improved airflow. These 2 fans come on simultaneously with a thermo switch at about 75-80 degrees Celsius, but main VW/"BOING sound" fan comes on at 95 degrees C. I preffer to keep it on manual mode, and love to kick the big sucking power before temo gauge reaches 90 degrees.
●Suspension, wheels & tyres:
New bearings in all four tires, new rear shocks (front ones are good, as well as the 4 coils)
1" rear wheels aluminum spacers
1" front wheels polymer spacers
16X6.5" VW steelies
245-75/16 Brand new GENERAL GRABBER
VW safety bolts center caps (made in Germany)
●Bumpers, Spare Wheel Mount and Roof Rack:
All these were designed by a very respected welder in my hometown. I ordered some bumpers for my van, and showed him a few pics for reference. He disliked them all and said to me: "These are anything but nice bumpers for a SYNCRO; I will me you some real SYNCRO bumpers”. With them results, I went ahead and ordered a spare wheel mount, and a full roof rack w/ladder. Welder is now working on a Patent for his designs, so whoever buys this van will get the 1st. generation (which in my opinion it’s already too cool). Pros: light weight, great looking, very creative design/not copied from any other project. Supports way over 300kg well distributed, easily!
2 high pressure 750N cargo door telescopes, with plenty of power to lift door with added ladder.
●Restoration:
This van was in pretty decent condition, even though it spent almost 20 years of its life in the Bolivian amazon (Rurrenabaque, go google it). It did have some rust but no major structural damage. Floors were fine, except for the front steps that were about 30% gone. Other than that, we just cleaned it and removed 100% of its paint. The entire chassis was restored, leaving not a single rusted corner. It was then treated with two coats of zinc phosphate (best anticorrosive product ever), and then covered with clear automotive varnish for extra protection and easier cleaning. Belly shines and stays shiny all the time.
The interior was also treated with zinc phosphate in the floor and all corners. Then the entire van was glued and covered with 15mm heavy duty cloth; full roof, 4 doors, front/side panels all the way around, as a thermic/acoustic solution. Finally, the back of the van was covered with 11mm MDF wood, treated with a coat of marine grade varnish. Yeap! Back is wide open space, intentionally left empty so that it can be adjusted the desired configuration. However, original rear seat rows are available in case they want to be reinstalled in their original locations. Included.
Both in&out, van was primed with MIPA products (Made in Germany). Sand/beige non glossy paint replaced an original old acrylic brown. All black stripes and other stickers are made of high quality vinyl decals to match the paint job, so it all looks like one big job.
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Ok, how much! I have tried to set a fair price for this SYNCRO, so I will start taking offers from $us38,000 (not enough but I think its quite reasonable, considering all the high quality work done to it, quite more expensive to achieve in other places).
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■Notes:
•Guaranties and Warrantees: None offered, none implied.
•Sold as Seen: You’ve bought it, it’s all yours. No future claims.
•Keyboard Warriors: If you have nothing nice to say, it’s better to say nothing.
•Budget: Don’t spend what you have don’t have. Keep some cash in the wallet. It is an awesome van, but you may need to invest on further equipment (Fox suspension, side awning, camping equipment, etc). However, this vas is an immaculate platform to make it even nicer and cooler.
•Pricing: Very subjective, if it’s not for you, there may be another SYNCRO out there within your budget. This unit can be cheap or too expensive; it all depends on where you live and what you want it for.
•Offers: Taking Serious Offers ONLY and around the asking price. You may offer less, and let it go, but if you offer more, you minimize the changes I post it on bringatrailer.com or eBay.com, where more people will be bidding for it.
•Questions: I can answer all your questions, and if requested, we can make a video call to show or review more details. I will not upload videos on youtube.com, or email clips on demand.
•Delivery: Around $us3-5K (sealed container from Santa Cruz to final destination, not RORO).
•Payment: Full deposit in US account. My partner lives in Katy, Texas so you can speak to a US resident if needed. Feel free to search me on Linked In (I don’t make a living restoring cars, I just do it for fun ????)
Tks. for reading and be safe!