Andrew(34k) - 1987 VW Westfalia Syncro Weekender

[34k]

Well I've dropped a hint here and there about the new project and I'm just trying to get some photos put together today since I'm going to be all douche-baggy and not post those yet. Photos are taken, but I need to organize them and re-size a bit before I upload them.

Perhaps a little game? We need some more traffic on this forum!  

From Pat's FS post on the A4:

I'd like something small, fun, lightweight, German and under $15,000.  That rules out a lot of cars.

Like I said there, it's 3 out of those 5 criteria he posted.

And I was looking for 5x112 wheels for it which I've now found all five I need including a VERY important full size spare.

Ahhhh so there you go. Will this fail, is it lame? PROBABLY, but until I get the photos ready that's all I got.  

[aowhaus]

hmmm,
5x112 bolt pattern?

Let's see...
Audi:
S4- smallish, but too obvious.

Mercedes:
SLK-class - small, lightweight, but i don't think the trunk could fit a full size spare.

VW:
Passat - not small nor lightweight.

[34k]

Heya Alan!

Lessee... None that you mentioned there, though the wheels did come off a Passat and it does share something very fundamental in common with the S4.

Another clue, I'll be bringing it to VWOTG and I'll be able to park it with the show cars, though in its current state it is not even close to a "show car" and in fact, one of the deciding factors in buying it was because of this very soon new addition to the family. If you recognize the breed, that's not a SMALL clue. 

[KWilson]

Did you buy that Mexican VW pickup thing that was for sale on Craigslist a little while ago?   

[KWilson]

Or, I think that some Vanagons and Eurovans are 5X112.  But that rules out two critera - small & lightweight.  Mk5 GTI?

[34k]

Did you buy that Mexican VW pickup thing that was for sale on Craigslist a little while ago?   

Nope! Though that would take care of the dog issues and I think that thing was 4x100? Could be wrong, but I thought I saw 4-bolt Schmidt Modernlines on that thing a while back.

Or, I think that some Vanagons and Eurovans are 5X112.  But that rules out two critera - small & lightweight.  Mk5 GTI?

Hmmm, not a Mk5. Though of course you've got the bolt pattern there, I'd feel pretty awful putting one of those dogs in a hatchback!

I did say 3 out of the 5 criteria, but what fundamentally would make a Vanagon or Eurovan similar to a S4? 

[KWilson]

I did say 3 out of the 5 criteria, but what fundamentally would make a Vanagon or Eurovan similar to a S4?  

Four wheels and a full-sized spare?

OK then, how about a Passat Wagon?  I'd guess A4 Avant, but I don't think VWOTG likes Audis, do they?

[34k]

Well, so the key  question here ends up being "what fundamentally would make a Vanagon similar to a S4?"
So the answer is, AWD! In this case, it's a SYNCRO baby!

"Meet my new best friend, Boxy Brown." ~Meatwad

1987 VW Westfalia Syncro Weekender
~100k on the clock









It's bit of a rare combination to have a Weekender Syncro. I wasn't actually LOOKING for a Syncro, I was just looking for a regular Weekender but I ran across this for a very fair price and decided to go for it.

This weekend I installed new GoWesty bumpers and skid plate. The skid plate requires removing the spare tire from the front. I've got plans for that later.







I also installed the South African grille



I primed and painted the wheels a gloss black as well.
Just waiting on some BFG T/A tires to mount those up.





Lots of interesting plans for it in the works though I'm going to have to catch up on some various maintenance issues first.

General tune-up stuff
New front rotors/pads
Replace fuel lines
Front passenger CV is torn to hell

It JUST fits into my garage with these wheels. I may have to let some air out of the others to get it in there.





So there we are. Game Over.
I'll post up more as the work progresses with various stuff

[KWilson]

I have always wanted one of those!  Looks like it's in good condition.  Congratulations!

Taken it off any sweet jumps yet?

[redline]

Whoa, did not that coming! I can't wait to see what you do with it Andrew!

PS; did you still want some rolling shots of the GTI? I was just thinking about VWOTG last year and realized I completely forgot to get back to you on getting some shots!

[shummer]

sweet!

VW T3 syncro

[gragravar]

that looks awesome.  congrats on the new truck!

[34k]

Thanks all! It's really about making it fun for road trips and camping. We needed something big enough to fit an Irish Wolfhound and since neither of my Golfs or my wife's Subaru would work for long, I started looking for one of these. The dog should be here sometime around the end of June, beginning of July.

I've actually started the process of breaking down the MK4 and I'll be posting a For Sale in a bit with the part-out and the whole car. *sniff* I just can't justify owning four vehicles. I've been working about a mile from home so since last Summer I've been walking to work every day. So basically... I almost never drive anymore. That'll be great for the dog and since my office is dog-friendly he'll be with me every day. Good stuff, but one of the cars has to go.

Plus, parts $$ and car $$ will go into the new work on the van.

MIKE: The Mk2 won't be going anywhere! For sure on the rolling shots etc. No rush at all though. I may be changing some stuff up a bit too. I just threw a new alternator in it a while ago and haven't fired it up yet but I've got an emissions test to do this month so it won't be long.

While writing this i got a call from the tire shop and my BFGs are in! More pics to come.

[92UrS4]

Totally awesome! How funny that Renee and I were just talking about these vehicles the other weekend. Great choice.

[34k]

That's funny Jay, talking as in thinking of buying?


Oh and anybody who's planning on going, Wendy and I will be out at VWOTG, so stop by and say hi.

New tires... new attitude? Well, maybe not but certainly new altitude. The 14" that came on the van were waaaaay smaller than the stock size. These new ones put it very close to where it should be. And there's the Passat wheels in all their rattle-canned glory.

[92UrS4]

Renee and I were talking about some things we would like to do in life and I told her how the synchros would allow us to do it. I also told her finding one in good condition without eleventy billion miles was difficult.

[aowhaus]

going to paint the rest of the van?

I saw a very nice dark metallic brown on a Porsche Panamera.
Matte paint job would look killer.

[34k]

I'm not planning on paint work in the near-term. I figure if it's too pretty I won't want to use it. I want to be able to feel okay about rubbing a tree branch or getting it dirty.

The hard part isn't finding one so much as finding one for not ridiculous money. I mean, here's a nice one on Go Westy for $65k...
http://www.gowesty.com/vehicle_details.php?id=1258

I still have no idea how those prices are justifiable. 

Jay, if you'd like to take it for a drive sometime lemme know.

[92UrS4]

Andrew I really would. The Scout covers a lot of bases for us, but there are some things we would like to do now and in the near future. Not when we are 75, if I even make it that far. Gotta do the things you want to do so you can have those memories your whole life, not just the end of it, in my opinion.

[redline]

The hard part isn't finding one so much as finding one for not ridiculous money. I mean, here's a nice one on Go Westy for $65k...
http://www.gowesty.com/vehicle_details.php?id=1258

WOW. I want what they're smoking. 65k for anything VW (Phaeton excluded ) is rather ludicrous imo...

And I can't wait to see what changes you make to the mkII! When you get those changes done, let me know, I'd love to go out for more shots

[RobD]

Andrew - Nice addition to the stable.  The T3 synchro has always been one of my faves.  I'd love to check it out sometime.

The hard part isn't finding one so much as finding one for not ridiculous money. I mean, here's a nice one on Go Westy for $65k...
http://www.gowesty.com/vehicle_details.php?id=1258

I still have no idea how those prices are justifiable. 

Supply / demand and crazy west coasters with too much money.  GoWesty does nice work and basically the vehicle comes out in like new condition and warranty to boot.

My T4 EV westy wkender is holding its value really well.  VW tried to give them away (relatively speaking) in 2002/2003 cause they stopped producing the T4 for american mkt.  Now there is enough demand that i could almost get what i paid for it back in 1/03.

Andrew the wheels and tires really look nice.  Great choice.  Any engine swap in your future?

Rob

[34k]

WOW. I want what they're smoking. 65k for anything VW (Phaeton excluded ) is rather ludicrous imo...

Oh I didn't pick the most expensive ones either. Just one that happened to be for sale right now.
http://gowesty.com/vehicle_sales_history.php
How about $124k, $119K and $105k for their top three?  

I mean I understand the whole supply/demand thing and that they are restoring them to "mile 0" and the quality of their work, but the math just doesn't seem to work out for me. Oh well, someone else's money! I'm not hating on anybody, GoWesty or the buyers. After all, I've spent a fair amount of money at GoWesty so far. I'm just a bit baffled by their vehicle sales prices.

Rob,
Ohhhhh I've got an engine swap in the works for sure. I haven't laid those plans out very firmly yet though. I'm currently leaning towards the EJ25. I'd thought for a while about the 3.3 SVX especially with the weight of the Syncro/Weekender combo, but at the same time, I'd be concerned with the longevity of the transmission. I'm already looking at a rebuild on it as 2nd gear is a bit fiddly.

Are you planning on being out at VWOTG? Like I said, the wife and I will be there rockin the van. I'd like to check out the EV W/E. I've only ever been in a non-camp/weekender and that was some time ago.

[RobD]

Andrew,

Not sure if I'll be at VWOTG yet.  Hoping to make it but potentially could be out with client playing golf. 

Have you or did you check out JDB imports?  Last time I was up there they had a few EJ conversion T3 non synchro set-ups.  The mechanic there is a nice guy but would not take my T4 there after he quoted 6hrs to change the spark plugs in it (vr6 2..

Keep us posted of what you are doing on it.

Thanks
Rob

[ColoradoB5]

Andy, that is sweet!   I haven't been in this section for a while and glad I checked it out.

My buddy Brooks has what I think is an 80 or 81 Westfalia.  He loves it, but it's not in quite as good of shape as yours.  It's also air cooled, so it has a tough time getting up 70 to get into the mountains, but he did manage to get it all the way up to near Bierstadt last summer to meet us for some camping.

I know you are going to dig it!  It's looking great already. 

So you said you are selling the Mk4?  That's a bummer!

Good to hear from you!

Dub