I always thought you guys were kidding about the “CC Effect,” but there it was, alive and well and in my face yesterday. For you non Vw guys , Yes our vans have “SYNCHROS” in the Transmission . I guess…. It was indeed. One thought is that they worried about misuse/liability. And it turns out that VW made my dream vehicle, to a T, even if I didn’t pursue it just then. It’s quite an experience to consciously buy a vehicle where you are embarrassed by the name. I rode with him on a few deliveries, and he let me get behind the wheel once or twice. There is a cool factor to the camper. The VW inline gas engine is the easiest swap by far, but its power curve is not ideal, especially for a Syncro. Suspension Lift Kit for all T25 Type25 T3 Vanagon 2 Wheel Drive Models. No minivan has ever been able to seat three across in the back with anything approaching the room and comfort of the Vanagon’s back seat. And which is of course the important first step in a well-suspended vehicle. The VW T3 is a good commercial verhicle, no doubt. But, with my allergies, I’d have to buy a trailer with AC and a shower to even consider camping (if you can still call it camping). We all like to gripe about the tsunami of alpha-numeric model designations (240D, 740i, XR4Ti, etc) but the counter argument is the never ending stream of stupid model names from Volkswagen. Hersteller: Volkswagen Original. American Brands: AMC, Jeep and All Others, Tractors, Lawn Mowers, Off-Road Equipment, Curbside Classic: VW Vanagon Syncro (T3): So Misunderstood, This one with a Subaru six was being offered for $70k, https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-european/curbside-classic-1990-vw-lt-4×4-westfalia-camper-the-vanagon-syncros-gnarly-big-brother-and-the-ultimate-niedermeyer-mobile/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/wooriegi/8015451166/in/set-72157610911117470, http://www.flickr.com/photos/wooriegi/7052610561/in/set-72157610911117470, Ten Years Ago Today: Auto-Biography, Part 1: Genesis, CC For Sale: 1959 De Soto Firedome Sedan – Smart Burnished Aluminum Door Frames, Cohort Pic(k) of the Day: Ford Courier Still Hard At Work – “Firewood $75/Cord”, Curbside Classic: 1952 REO F-22 – I Can Dig It. Sure, a jeep is more capable, but the syncro is nicer at night , More of my van and trips here: http://shufti.wordpress.com. One sits very tall in the high quality seats, has superb visibility, and one feels very much like at the helm of a bus. Gearbox Rebuild. Diesel may not be for everyone, but if you want good fuel economy, I would think there’d be nothing better. Well, and those high prices, of course. Gowesty VW T25, T3 & Vanagon 2WD Suspension Lift Kit Bundle (Free Ball Joint Spacers & Decals) $ 640.14. Vanagon are now inevitably in the hands of its lovers; anyone who bought one naively decades ago and moaned about the performance or lack of power amenities or reliability and wished they’d bought a Caravan has long passed it on to more appreciative hands. Oil Pressur Switch / Temperature Sensor for VW T3 Bus; Ignition, Distributor, Control Value for WBX VW T3 Bus / Glow System for TD VW T3 Bus; Oil Circuit for VW T3 Bus; Fuel Facility for VW T3 Bus. My next-door neighbor actually has a Westfalia synchro; it’s pretty ratty though, and the thing is that most of the synchro parts have been taken off by a previous owner, so now it’s only a 2WD with high ground clearance. The control knob on the dash is a pull and turn to activate compared to straight pull for the rear locker. I’ve crawled in and out of Highlanders (barely made it), Traverses, Pacificas, and more since then, and only the Ford FLEX (gag on name again) trumps it for solid three row access. Single tires at the back, but sometimes with the heavy-duty rear axle with dual tires. My experience with these is minimal, but I have to say the idea of a solidly built van has definite appeal. In 2005 it was the best 7 seat wagon I could find that got reasonable gas mileage. Lovely evening on the west coast of Vancouver island, end of August past. I guess there is something to be said for the alpha-numeric names after all. (In the late seventies VW couldn’t offer a diesel at all), It’s a cliché folks, but the Mercedes TN really was the van-counterpart of the W123 and W124 diesel. See more ideas about subaru motors, vw vanagon, wander. It, too, was kind of a beater, and not being any kind of a camper, I couldn’t for the life of me understand why he wanted this thing. Cornering at speed — or even just taking the typical twists and curves of the average freeway — caused the elevated tail-end to fly around in a way that made me feel I was on the verge of losing control of the thing and spinning out. Of course it all depends on maintenance, and they are pretty straightforward to wok on, but my syncro has never left me stranded and it has about 360,000 km on it now. As we say here, “the sun rises for free”. Yeah, procrastination is no stranger to me. Accessories: Offroad / Campinng / Special Parts / Adhesives and Sealants for VW T3 Bus Specialties: Cruise Control / Rear Light / Mirror / Roof Rack etc. Designed for hwy and rough road travel. The Ultimate spring and suspension set ups for your VW T3/ T25 2WD or Syncro . There are just two aspects that have kept me from really wanting one so far: the thought of hitting something head-on without any crumple zone at all, and the fact that they always, always seem to rust at those vertical seams between the body panels. Having the front locked does affect steering quite a bit. (In the late seventies VW couldn’t offer a diesel at all) It’s a cliché folks, but the Mercedes TN really was the van-counterpart of the W123 and W124 diesel. The compact size of the syncro is a plus on many of the logging roads I go on. The syncro has pretty close to same 50/50 weight distribution but having 4wd the traction problem is solved. This one with a Subaru six was being offered for $70k. My folks ended up buying a slightly-used 1991 Fiat Ducato 4WD Camper (4WD also by Steyr-Puch, incidentally). ), i found it quite comfortable. We covered that here. Not original at all. All Hail the Vanagon! It also had a 2.4 liter diesel engine with perfect gearing for towing jobs. But I do remember being very favorably impressed with the ride, the road feel, and the cornering. It’s a shame that the diesel was discontinued for the Vanagon. They were called the T25 all through their life, and VW only decided to use T1, T2, and R3 as retronyms after the T4 was introduced…. But the added crash protection is a big plus. Those absorbers are ideal for lovers of sportive but comfy driving experience. Sometimes I have to turn around on a narrow road, often there is a lot of brush encroaching. Pretty often I see an emblem on the back of an old Volkswagen Golf with 2 rabbits mating. brought a tent along so the lads could sleep outside if they wanted, and that night they pitched the tent in front of the van. When these debuted, I thought the Vanagon name was so stupid, that I just refused to like them. I couldn’t tell you jack about VW’s, other than the fact that they were omnipresent all over SoCal, but while looking at a townhome for sale yesterday in the Palm Springs area, there “arose such a clatter” out in the driveway, which turned out to be another realtor arriving with his clients to show the place. Very disconcerting. For sure there are no affordable and capable 4wd camper vans around. Let’s face it; American minivans have always been designed more for carrying kids in the back than full-size adults. But a really stellar box: Tall, straight, solid, rigid, superbly space efficient, and with nice big windows to boot. there were 4 of us plus 2 large dogs. The Volkswagen Type 2 T3 is the third generation of the Volkswagen Transporter named the Transporter or Caravelle in Europe, Microbus in South Africa, T25 in England and Ireland, and Vanagon in North and South America. I think you could sell me on this vehicle if I had the money. Definitely a dream car of mine. The Vanagon is again unbeatable in that regard. BILSTEIN BILSTEIN B6 front suspension for VW T3 2WD . Modestly Stiffer & Slightly Taller than Stock moderately stiffer but designed to meet VW specs for vehicle ride height, alignment and shock valving. The steering is unassisted, but not really all that heavy, especially once the wheels start rolling just a bit. I just wish the ones around here were not always that brown and beige two tone. The new Explorer is pretty cramped by comparison. It just did everything better. Learn how your comment data is processed. The result is that Vanagons today still command prices way beyond that of any old minivan. Just like a boat. That’s  a picture of CC reader Alistair somewhere in the back woods of British Columbia with his Syncro Westy. With their AWD system designed and built by Steyr-Puch, the Syncro happily plays where only Jeeps and such usually fear to tread. Again concerning the Mercedes: those are pretty rare with 4WD, at least I’ve hardly ever seen one. But anyway, now I can admire the ridiculously named Vanagon on its own merits, and I judge it to be worthy of the VW Bus tradition. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. (there was also a 4×4 BTW), These were great vans, but at least a class bigger (or two) than the Type 3. I for one feel uneasy when people (not just Germans!) Brickwerks - Suspension Lift Kit - T3 2WD - Parts, spares and components for VW T3, (T25, Type 25, Vanagon) T4 (Eurovan), LT (LT1, LT28, LT30, LT35, LT40, LT45, LT50, LT55) & MK1 Caddy GoWesty UK Firm but Responsive Feel - … As can its driver. Jul 8, 2020 - Explore laminatemarket's board "Volk transporter T3", followed by 118 people on Pinterest. A big American van might have a smooth ride on the freeway, but the Vanagon’s supple legs come into their own once the road turns, or turns rough, or one turns off the road completely. Your specialist for improving the off road performance of your van (Mercedes Viano/Vito and Sprinter, VW Transporter T3, T4, T5, T6 and Crafter). It was better built, more durable and more heavy-duty overall than any other van he drove in the past 40 years. More typical might be in the low-mid  twenties and up, depending on equipment and condition. My old 72 westy, with its torsion bar suspension was more compliant on rough trials, better traction compared to my 2wd 82 vanagon westy. VW T3 repair sheet metal side panel behind left WBX . Even the 2WD versions have exceptional traction, thanks to the rear engine. Paul, I don’t think VW sold any syncros with front lockers in the US. I admit it is not for everyone and that is a good thing too. And that was the Mercedes TN (built from 1977 to 1995). I am not sure you can use the words, “durability” and “VW Van” in the same sentence, JP. But it still is semi-hippie, happy campers, REM’s Shiny Happy People, the B52’s Love Shack, beer drinkers ‘n pot smokers, peace signs all over the van. That was neat too, but a bit big on the outside and hideously expensive. I’d only driven full-sized US cargo vans till then, and had not liked their ride at all — especially when empty. But, it’s a price one pays for fuel economy and longevity. Accessories: Offroad / Campinng / Special Parts / Adhesives and Sealants for VW T3 Bus Specialties: Cruise Control / Rear Light / Mirror / Roof Rack etc. Plus the 72 had something like a 40/60 weight distribution whereas the 2wd vanagon is pretty close to 50/50. Well, the Vanagon really wasn’t a minivan; it was a European full size van, the equivalent of our Econolines and such, despite being less than 180″ long. Das Fahrwerk ist auf Lager und sofort lieferbar. 091 4-Speed Aircooled Rebuild; T3 4-Speed Gearbox Rebuild; T3 5-Speed Gearbox Rebuild; T3 Syncro Gearbox Rebuild; Syncro Front Diff There was a point in my younger life where I imagined what my ultimate vehicle would be; one that had the least compromises and could do more things than any other: drive and handle well, be roomy enough so to able to live out of it, have four wheel drive, be long-lived, and have a turbo-diesel engine for good efficiency. Actually, come to think of it, a somewhat eccentric friend years back in San Diego acquired one of these Vanagon Westfalia Syncros. I easily lost traction in the 2wd vanagon good snow tires were mandatory in the white stuff. BILSTEIN B4 rear suspension for VW T3 2WD Add to cart. Fuel Facility for Diesel VW T3 Bus; Fuel Facility for Petrol / Gasoline VW T3 Bus; Tank and Components for VW T3 Bus. But you don’t. Doggone it, Paul – You have just about sold me on one of these. When Toyota introduced their van here, they called it the Vanwagon. I love that van. I wonder if an Alaskan type camper on a 4wd Toyota truck would be more useful for what I want. “inevitably many of the comments (or even the text) will be utterly predictable: it’s so slow…underpowered…unreliable…couldn’t compete with American minivans…it’s so slow…underpowered… Ok; I get it. GoWesty-designed progressive suspension lift kit for your 2WD T3/T25/Vanagon. considering the Mercedes T1: those are pretty great. One of my least-favorite elements of the custom big van thing was that however much you dress them up, the van never really let you forget that it was a big, relatively flimsy box on a platform frame. Which makes it eminently suitable for a long life, in the right hands. Also the temptation to compare to hard core off road vehicles is there when folk modify the syncro. We’ve had numerous Vanagon posts here at CC over the past few years by other authors, and inevitably many of the comments (or even the text) will be utterly predictable: it’s so slow…underpowered…unreliable…couldn’t compete with American minivans…it’s so slow…underpowered... Ok; I get it. My son’s scoutmaster toted a group of hyperactive younguns all over Texas in one of these. See more ideas about vw vanagon, vw van, vw syncro. Hansen Motorsport Gewindefahrwerk für den VW Bus T3 2WD in Action. Copyright 2011 - 2021 Curbside Classics. In the days of the VW T3 the scrap metal dealers drove Hanomag-Henschels (and the later Mercedes editions, I’m sure you remember them) and the hippies drove a, well…., VW T2 I didn’t even think that was possible!”. I hate the term T3 for these….. Gowesty Front Lift or Standard Springs – Pair [2WD T3 T25 Vanagon] $ 321.38 Select options; Related products. These vans and light trucks were basically fool- and abuse proof. Most comfortable car I’ve ever had. The VW T3 was a good workhorse, but it was outclassed by a fellow-German from 1977 onwards. But they could also be ordered with a limited-slip rear differential that was activated by pulling a knob between the front seats. It’s all business here, with that big steering wheel and industrial-grade gear shift. I compare owning a vanagon westy, and especially a syncro to owning a small boat. We also test drove a Westfalia conversion (sold through MB dealers; they called it “James Cook” with decals to match). Please accept cookies to help us improve this website Is this OK? Brief history of VW T3 SYNCRO. But the Syncros are in a league of their own. A lot of these Mercedes TN/T1 models from the eighties are still on the road, doing their daily jobs. Oh I see the JDM imports, deli as etc, around here and some are attractive. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Before our first trip I said to my wife let’s do one and then sell it for a 4motion. I can trump that. There was one that really stood out. The XXXXXXXX was one of the most remarkable vehicles ever built, and has one of the most fanatical followings out there. Two Volkswagens Das erste und bis jetzt einzige Gewindefahrwerk für den T3 mit TÜV-Teilegutachten! Besides trucks my father also drove smaller toys in the seventies, eighties and nineties. Yes, it’s not perfect; but it has a number of qualities that are unique, which convincingly convey greatness upon it.”, Are we allowed to use this argument against the author when he disagrees or dislikes the subject matter? Ford Freestyle. But size-wise, I’d say that they’re in a different league; great for camping, but a bit too big as a daily driver (alhough my aunt used hers that way for years). My brother has had one for many years, one of the rare one-year US diesels, which he’s upgraded to a turbo diesel and to run on veggie oil. Size-wise, somewhere between the VW offerings and the Mercedes; quality-wise, well…. BILSTEIN BILSTEIN B4 rear suspension for VW T3 2WD . And when the time came to actually buy a minivan in 1992, the Vanagon was not a realistic option, and not just because it was out of production. It became my dream escape vehicle; the optimum device with which to drop out and roam and explore all corners of the world in a fantasy trip. for VW T3 Bus OFF-Road and Outdoor Accessories for VW T3 Bus I just think that from a practical standpoint, the VW is probably a better fit (if not by much) for most people. Durability? I could go on and on about the Vanagon, which is a bit odd, since I’ve never owned one. I guess these are the fuel injected models. But the increasingly popular solution is to re-engine the Vanagon, and the options are extensive. Both were designed for the inevitable workout they receive at the hands of an engaged Vanagon driver. Telephone support and counselling under: Anyway, a timely and unexpected CC encounter. He was in a newish Cadillac SUV, but the clients were driving their beater Vanagon Westfalia Diesel VW, with British Columbia license plates. The T3, especially the synchro, really is one cool van – which is probably why they’re still so darned expensive. But still, the relatively uncomplient (compared to say a landrover or land cruiser ) suspension is noticeable at times. General import I didn’t mean to say that the suspension travel on the syncro is poor, just that it is noticeably less than the older breadbox van. $ 605.10 ARB Flip Flops Size UK Size - 7 to 8 $ 36.30 VW T25 T3 Vanagon Hi-Lift Style Jack Adaptor For Factory Jacking Points $ 36.30 THESE ARE PREORDER ITEMS BEFORE ORDERING, PLEASE READ THE TERMS AND … But he thought he had scored the deal of a lifetime. It is a daily driver and is a hobby. It all depends on the depreciation whether a vehicle is expensive (to buy). Was it slow? Anyway, when it comes to sheer “Teutonic virtues” both VW models were outclassed by the Mercedes models. for VW T3 Bus OFF-Road and Outdoor Accessories for VW T3 … Accessories: Offroad / Campinng / Special Parts / Adhesives and Sealants for VW T3 Bus Specialties: Cruise Control / Rear Light / Mirror / Roof Rack etc. Despite being a good foot shorter than a contemporary Grand Caravan, the Vanagon was massively roomier inside. And with a diesel engine powering the Vanagon at the time, painfully slow. It was manufactured in Germany from 1979 until 1991. That second clip shows up a lack of the drivers ability rather than the lack of a locking axle and in real off road conditions a Mitsubishi L300 van can always be called on for a tow, those really will go places Jeeps fear to tread unless extensively modified. These shock absorbers are engineered to outlast and outperform the competition. One more pic, can’t upload right now, just give link. But you don’t. Neither T2s or T3s are 4wd vehicles (excepting T3 syncros), so their ability to move over rugged or slippery terrain will be limited compared to something like a Jeep or 4wd pickup truck. i’ve never been in one but i’d love to try it out. But parts are a bit harder to come by and there is less living space inside. A youtube video shows a head on collision with a Volvo, and the Vanagon comes out much better. Great article as always. I remember riding in it once, thinking how slow and underpowered it was. Speaking of engines, that is obviously the Vanagon’s weakest link. Gowesty VW T25, T3 & Vanagon 2WD Suspension Lift Kit Bundle (Free Ball Joint Spacers & Decals) $ 644.68 Read more; VW T25/T3/Vanagon T4 Rear Lower And Upper Spring Seat Set *4* $ 116.64 Add to cart; Koni Adjustable Twin-Tube Shock Absorbers – Rear $ 306.98 Add to cart; Koni Adjustable Twin-Tube Shock Absorbers – Front $ 276.28 Add to cart This entry was posted in campervanculture.com and tagged mods, t25, t3, upgrades, vanagon, vw, westfalia on October 10, 2016 by Daniel. The name of the Technology which makes them an awesome 4 wheel drive system is called “Syncro” . While I’ve never owned or driven a VW Vanagon, I have ridden as a passenger in an 80s rear-engined, rear-wheel drive Vanagon, and while I agree that it is different from the American minivans by Chrysler (Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager, etc. I had a chance to ride in one again just recently, and all my impressions formed in the past were reinforced: the solid body, the excellent ride, the superb view, the firm but comfortable seats, despite being thirty years old. These springs are an exclusive GoWesty design. I hate do this but I have to argue your point on the long spring travel and traction of the vanagon. And it just looks like it was meant to be there. technique offroad, aménagement, équipement, accessoires pour les vans notamment 4x4, Mercedes Vito / Viano 4 Matic, VW Syncro etc. Larger joints can be fitted which allows more travel and allows you to raise the van without damagingt the joints. And the fuel economy of a diesel and the all-wheel drive traction of Syncro, there’s the ultimate in off-road vanning. It seems that some cars and trucks are predestined as they get older. Seal kit, without cat for the 2WD 2.1 ltr. My dad and me once test-drove one of those, and that was pretty impressive. It’s a game. VW Spring is coming! for VW T3 Bus OFF-Road and Outdoor Accessories for VW T3 … http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=156366&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0, http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=498427&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0. But the use of German names just doesn’t translate well here. (“Oh Lord, won’t you buy me….”, speaking of hippies), Oh, I agree the Mercedes is a great van and very tough and durable. What better starting point from which to build the ultimate multipurpose vehicle. :o), Your email address will not be published. Consistent with the Vanagon’s seemingly infinite upgrade-ability, aftermarket power steering is available. I learned this week that Passat is german for trade winds. None of us want to remove our “Syncro” badges ,but honestly they are just 4WD Vanagons now . A TDI four is substantially more complicated because of its electronic engine controls and other aspects, but is very sought after for those looking for maximum efficiency, as well as a fat torque curve. But the Vanagon, even completely unloaded, felt reassuringly stable in a way I’d only experienced in passenger cars — and some of the more expensive passenger cars, at that. I remember saying to my friend, “Dave, this van handles almost like a sports car! Various conversions are done to the engine. (T2 gasoline and T3 diesel), two Mercedes vans and two Ford vans. Which of course explains why it made such a superb compact camper, in the form of the Westfalia conversion (or others). That was a rarity (IMO) for any VW van. American vans seem inevitably to be rattletraps, sometimes even when new. i’ve seen a couple of good examples living on the street of the east village in nyc: this one is a beautiful synchro with round headlights: But I like a good stiff structure, I like chair-high seats, I like manual transmissions, and I like durability. Reviews of the Vanagon back in its day consistently raved about its stellar handling and ride, unlike any other van, full-sized one or minivan. Often driven by scrap metal dealers (or other “recyclers”), they mostly drive the single cabs with a flatbed. I don’t recall it being slow, although we were in city traffic, and it was also someone else’s work vehicle, so I wouldn’t have been trying to “see what it can do” anyway. And if I was a bit younger and less spoiled by the space and bathroom of our Dodge  Chinook, it’s what we’d be using for our backwoods haunts. So, I’d have to pass on these as too slow, expensive, difficult parts and service, etc. Geez, whoever comes up with names for VW should be fired. I still think Vanagon is the dumbest name ever, except for maybe Routan or Toaureg or how ever the hell you spell that. The first models (1979-1982) were still air-cooled (like the T1 and T2) but from 1982 … It also had a 2.4 liter diesel engine with perfect gearing for towing jobs. Getting into the back of a Vanagon through its giant sliding door is more like walking into a genuine bus than clambering into a glorified station wagon. Required fields are marked *. The 2.5 L Subaru has become very popular, because it fits under the stock engine lid and has such a significant boost in torque and power, as well as being a rugged engine, generally. http://shufti.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/img_2734.jpg, the pic from last month’s trip (exploring the Klanawa river watershed on the west of Vancouver island). Really, if the going and towing got rough, you wanted the Merc. The VW T3 was a good workhorse, but it was outclassed by a fellow-German from 1977 onwards. Where to start? We needed a mommy-mobile, and a used Vanagon wasn’t going to cut it with mommy on many levels. VW T25 T3 Vanagon Westfalia Skylight Plastic Insulated Double Skinned *BRONZE* $ 91.98 Add to cart ‘Culture’ Diff-Lock T-shirt – Black $ 18.40 Select options; Interior Festoon Bulb Upgrade [VW T2 T3 T25 T4 LT] $ 6.13 Add to cart All Rights Reserved. http://www.flickr.com/photos/wooriegi/8015451166/in/set-72157610911117470, this one is a nice looking and well used westfalia: That’s why there’s more weight up front than the older transporters, and not as good rear drive traction. Kia does not offer a Pongyang. And the all-wheel drive Syncro version takes it to a whole other level; to the very peak of automotive Valhalla. This set VW T3 high performance shock absorbers is proven quality by Bilstein and fits the 2WD (rear). http://www.flickr.com/photos/wooriegi/7052610561/in/set-72157610911117470. The seats in the Vanagon are kitchen chair height, as well as very comfortable. Of course, the optional front differential locker (which this one seems to lack) is desirable in these extreme terrain situations, but then this isn’t exactly the kind of use most Vanagons will ever see. In the videos of those syncros off road, the suspension seems to have a pretty decent amount of travel.

Warum Hast Du Nicht Nein Gesagt Text, Tennis Weltverband Abkürzung Drei Buchstaben Kreuzworträtsel, Never Back Down Hdfilme, Comdirect Nfc Android, Palina Rojinski Mann 2020, Rotkäppchen Geschichte Für Kinder,