Seller's Description
1986 Volkswagen RV - Vanagon Syncro (4x4) w/ Country Homes Camper pop-top.
Southern California van when I bought it in 2012, I have lived in dry climates since owning it and store it indoors.
245k miles on body. At 215k a 19k mile Subaru 2.5 motor from a 2009 impreza was installed by North Westy, and the transmission was rebuilt by AA Transaxle.
So Engine has 49k miles and Transmission has 30k miles.
Water Pump and timing belt replaced at installation, so about 60k miles until next service.
Exhaust and Catalytic Converter were replaced with the install.
Original Tachometer was replaced by one from a Jetta to more accurately represent redline, and the higher revving nature of the subaru motor.
Engine air filter has been replaced with a Donaldson air filter housing and connected to the factory snorkle. Much better than the open cone filter most conversions use.
2 knob syncro, has selectable rear locker and decoupler. Unlike the original configuration, you can disengage the front driveline and drive in 2wd to save a little fuel.
When transmission was rebuilt taller and stronger 3rd & 4th gears installed at that time.
Also installed new front and rear axles at that time.
About 2" lift, 225/75r16 duratracs (70% tread) on mercedes aluminum rims with matching spare.
Spare is BFG Mud Terrain, never driven on.
Upgraded front brakes.
Toyotomi diesel heater w/ fuel tank in original spare location.
100aH house battery under back seat.
100w solar on roof. Had 300w previously but it made the roof difficult to lift.
Fiamma awning (These Awnings are awesome!)
Passenger seat has been modified to enable instalation facing forward or rearward. Westy swivel seat bases can be included but are not installed.
Westy swivel table and mount mounted behind passenger seat.
Homemade galley bench and storage
Rear seat folds down to almost queen size bed (Rock n Roll bed)
Pop Top can sleep 2 children or 2 very friendly adults.
My wife and I slept up top for a month in Mexico.
Canvas is in good shape, screens are begining to deteriorate. My wife has stitched up a couple openings in the screens.
I originally had storage shelves on both sides in the rear cargo area. This made it a bit cramped sleeping, so I removed one of them. The removed shelf unit is available if desired.
GoWesty Coinmat floor on all carpeted traffic areas.
GoWesty front and rear bumpers, rocker protection and front to rear skidplates.
Rear Bumper has 2" reciever, front bumper has a bolt on (on top) reciever.
Swing out tire carrier and rear cargo/fuel tank carrier.
Custom Luggage rack w/ basket and roof rack brackets.
I replaced the square headlights with round Hella lenses with h4 capsules in them and wired in relays so the headlights get full alternator voltage instead of the diminished voltage from the original design. They are much better than original.
There is also a pair of KC HID Daylighter spot lights on the front bumper wired to come on with the high beams. These put out alot of light.
Spare ECU w/ custom programing from NorthWesty, Spare rear Axle, Spare New Rear Wheel Bearing, Spare belt.
This van rides and drives awesome. It's very fun to drive on forest and unimproved roads. They are incredibly manuverable, and can make almost any flat spot your camping spot.
Speed dictates mileage. On the PCH I was getting 21 mpg, averaging 45 mph. On I90 at 75 mph its about 16mpg.
Headliner has a couple small holes in it, and used to have a flip down monitor just behind the front seats. The mounting plate is still installed to cover up the headliner damage from mounting it.
Small amount of rust at lower windshield frame, and on corner of lift gate. No seam rust.
I can remove the stickers if desired.
This has been an incredibly reliable vehicle for us. I have driven the Cassiar Highway, Top of the world highway, Sea to Sky highway, Pacific Coast Highway 1 from Astoria WA to La Paz, MX.
It's been from the Sea of Cortez to the Caribbean Sea. There is no place or time I would hesitate to drive it, as long as the ambient temps are under 100.
Unfortunately, I haven't really used it in a couple years. Now I want to build an E350. Possible partial trade for a 2004-2010 E350 6.0 or 6.8.
Edit to add a few more things I remembered:
Stainless Steel Coolant lines
Mesh windshield cover/sunscreen
Screen for rear door... I think? I haven't ever used it, not even sure where it came from. Just found it in the van.
