Re : Extra Lift Possibilities

1
Hi Guys, im new to VW T3 Syncro club, as Ive just purchased a 89model with Trakka Conversion and quiet excited..

Im about to attempt its maiden voyage from SA to nowra NSW..

Looking at lifting the van with bigger tyres and rims, does anyone know details of rims etc I can use?

In addition where and how can I reposition the spare tyre from interanl back of van to external of vechicle somewhere?

Thanks for details Brent and Michelle this is our 3rd T3 and first with syncro..
2

Brent,

 

You can run 15 X & rims and 215-75-15 tyres like the B F Goodrich AT with no clearance problems.  Beyond that, you have to start making clearance in various places – never a good idea.  We have members who make trips across rough desert terrain on the 14 X 6 standard wheels and 14” BFGs with ease.  This is what the Syncro was designed to do in the first place.  The Syncro is a highly capable rough terrain vehicle in its standard form.  The addition of 15” wheels and rubber improves this capability by a small amount.

 

The standard placement of the Syncro spare wheel us under the front.  The Syncro came with a very rugged square tube wheel carrier, designed to protect the front underside in rough terrain.  If yours has not got such a carrier, it has been removed somewhere back in its history.  The alternative is to acquire a rear swing out wheel carrier but they can be quite expensive.

 

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of brent.warner1
Sent: 02 October 2009 20:38
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re : Extra Lift Possibilities

 

 

Hi Guys, im new to VW T3 Syncro club, as Ive just purchased a 89model with Trakka Conversion and quiet excited..

Im about to attempt its maiden voyage from SA to nowra NSW..

Looking at lifting the van with bigger tyres and rims, does anyone know details of rims etc I can use?

In addition where and how can I reposition the spare tyre from interanl back of van to external of vechicle somewhere?

Thanks for details Brent and Michelle this is our 3rd T3 and first with syncro..

3
Some people run 15" merc steels as they are cheap though the offset isn't ideal. There are many options though few are a perfect fit. Here's a link to a site that lists the wheel specs of many different makes and models.http://web.archive.org/web/20040726083026/http://www.tyresave.co.uk/fitment.html Make sure your offset is as close to et30 and wheels have the correct load rating for a heavy syncro camper. Spacers can be used to correct offset but i have been informed they are not legal.If you decide to use spacers the studs may need replacement as they will be shorter the width of the spacers.  You can buy alloys from gowesty and van-cafe. I bought 15" rhein alloys from van-cafe which are a perfect fit as they're made for the vanagon. Have found van-cafe offer the best prices for these alloys.

As for lifting the car with tires. 235/75/15 is about as tall as you can go without extensive mods and gives about 4cms lift over stock. Gowesty sells 2" lift springs which gives you a total of 9cms extra clearance over stock bringing ground clearance from 26.5cms to about 35cms. This is a huge increase over stock and I wouldn't say more clearance is necessary The only way you can go taller again is to fit 16" trailing arms and modify the wheel wells to accomodate larger 31" tires or even bigger than this but requires more work again. Very expensive for only a mediocre gain of 2.5cms. Also you can't go taller than 2" on the springs or you have topping out problems and you will need control arms spacers to bring the camber angle back in line. Once again only a small increase can be had and isn't worth it in my opinion.
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: brent.warner1@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2009 10:37:41 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re : Extra Lift Possibilities

 
Hi Guys, im new to VW T3 Syncro club, as Ive just purchased a 89model with Trakka Conversion and quiet excited..

Im about to attempt its maiden voyage from SA to nowra NSW..

Looking at lifting the van with bigger tyres and rims, does anyone know details of rims etc I can use?

In addition where and how can I reposition the spare tyre from interanl back of van to external of vechicle somewhere?

Thanks for details Brent and Michelle this is our 3rd T3 and first with syncro..



Click Here View photos of singles in your area
4
>
> The standard placement of the Syncro spare wheel us under the front.
> The
> Syncro came with a very rugged square tube wheel carrier, designed to
> protect the front underside in rough terrain. If yours has not got such
> a
> carrier, it has been removed somewhere back in its history.


That is not exactly correct Les.

There are 4 standard options for the spare wheel.

1/ In the back above the engine.
Early Australian syncros came like this.

2/ Clamshell under the front.
This is if you have 14 X 5.5 wheels.

3/ Heavy duty front carrier.
This is the common one for Australia and the one that you have described. (14 X 6 wheels)

4/Rear swing out carrier.
Usually found on 16" versions.
5

Phill,

 

I wasn’t aware of the inside storage.  I have only ever seen the under front position.  (My T2 had the rear interior storage.)  Can you put a date on the Syncro interior storage?  Better still, do you have any pics that can be scanned and posted.

 

The “clamshell” was standard on the US delivered Vanagon and, as I understand it, on the 2WD T3s delivered in Australia .  The 2WD came with 14 X 5.5 and, as far as I know, the Australian delivered Syncros all came with the heavier 14 X 6.  I wasn’t aware that the Australian delivered Syncro came with anything other than the square tube carrier.  Again, do you have any dates or pictures of the pressed metal version?

 

I have some early brochures from the Syncro introduction to Australia that I must check but you probably have more brochures that the rest of us put together.

 

Regarding the 16” Syncro, were any 16” sold in Australia ?  And how many 16” were built world wide?  I was under the impression that the only two 16” in Australia (other than personal imports) were those of Yurik and Mark.

 

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of plander@optusnet.com.au
Sent: 03 October 2009 10:27
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] The Syncro- Highly Capable in Standard Configuration



That is not exactly correct Les.

There are 4 standard options for the spare wheel.

1/ In the back above the engine.
Early Australian syncros came like this.

2/ Clamshell under the front.
This is if you have 14 X 5.5 wheels.

3/ Heavy duty front carrier.
This is the common one for Australia and the one that you have described. (14 X 6 wheels)

4/Rear swing out carrier.

6
Hi Les,

Two of Syncros including my 16". They reside under the rear bench and intrudes into the lower cargo area. These are both Doublecabs. On my former Syncro Doublecab, the spare came on mount inside the upper cargo bed. Guess that makes 4 methods.


BenT
Sent from my mobile device

On Oct 2, 2009, at 5:53 PM, "Les_Harris" ob<leslieharris@optusnet.com.au> wrote:

Phill,

 

I wasn’t aware of the inside storage.  I have only ever seen the under front position.  (My T2 had the rear interior storage.)  Can you put a date on the Syncro interior storage?  Better still, do you have any pics that can be scanned and posted.

 

The “clamshell” was standard on the US delivered Vanagon and, as I understand it, on the 2WD T3s delivered in Australia .  The 2WD came with 14 X 5.5 and, as far as I know, the Australian delivered Syncros all came with the heavier 14 X 6.  I wasn’t aware that the Australian delivered Syncro came with anything other than the square tube carrier.  Again, do you have any dates or pictures of the pressed metal version?

 

I have some early brochures from the Syncro introduction to Australia that I must check but you probably have more brochures that the rest of us put together.

 

Regarding the 16” Syncro, were any 16” sold in Australia ?  And how many 16” were built world wide?  I was under the impression that the only two 16” in Australia (other than personal imports) were those of Yurik and Mark.

 

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of plander@optusnet.com.au
Sent: 03 October 2009 10:27
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] The Syncro- Highly Capable in Standard Configuration



That is not exactly correct Les.

There are 4 standard options for the spare wheel.

1/ In the back above the engine.
Early Australian syncros came like this.

2/ Clamshell under the front.
This is if you have 14 X 5.5 wheels.

3/ Heavy duty front carrier.
This is the common one for Australia and the one that you have described. (14 X 6 wheels)

4/Rear swing out carrier.

7
> I wasn't aware of the inside storage. I have only ever seen the under
> front
> position. (My T2 had the rear interior storage.) Can you put a date on
> the
> Syncro interior storage?

I think it was an early '88. It had no clock, cigarette lighter or vent windows. I wish that I had of taken more interest in these early ones as i drove many. It also had 5.5" wheels.






Better still, do you have any pics that can be
> scanned and posted.
>

No unfortunately.




>
>
> The "clamshell" was standard on the US delivered Vanagon and, as I
> understand it, on the 2WD T3s delivered in Australia. The 2WD came with
> 14
> X 5.5 and, as far as I know, the Australian delivered Syncros all came
> with
> the heavier 14 X 6.

Not the early ones



I wasn't aware that the Australian delivered Syncro
> came with anything other than the square tube carrier. Again, do you
> have
> any dates or pictures of the pressed metal version?
>

I don't know whether they came to Australia.





>
>
> I have some early brochures from the Syncro introduction to Australia
> that I
> must check but you probably have more brochures that the rest of us put
> together.
>

Most of the early brochures were reprinted German ones.





>
>
> Regarding the 16" Syncro, were any 16" sold in Australia?

Only the two Safari syncros.




And how many
> 16"
> were built world wide?

2,138
8
Les,
 
Just a reminder. I have Merc 15" steel rims. The tyre you mention below is on my spare and with very minor mods underneath, the spare fits under the front, fully inflated. Handy, I wanted to get rid of the rear mounted spare wheel.
 
Ken 
 
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: leslieharris@optusnet.com.au
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 09:30:41 +1000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] The Syncro- Highly Capable in Standard Configuration

 

Brent,

 

You can run 15 X & rims and 215-75-15 tyres like the B F Goodrich AT with no clearance problems.  Beyond that, you have to start making clearance in various places – never a good idea.  We have members who make trips across rough desert terrain on the 14 X 6 standard wheels and 14” BFGs with ease.  This is what the Syncro was designed to do in the first place.  The Syncro is a highly capable rough terrain vehicle in its standard form.  The addition of 15” wheels and rubber improves this capability by a small amount.

 

The standard placement of the Syncro spare wheel us under the front.  The Syncro came with a very rugged square tube wheel carrier, designed to protect the front underside in rough terrain.  If yours has not got such a carrier, it has been removed somewhere back in its history.  The alternative is to acquire a rear swing out wheel carrier but they can be quite expensive.

 

Les

From: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of brent.warner1
Sent: 02 October 2009 20:38
To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] Re : Extra Lift Possibilities

 

 

Hi Guys, im new to VW T3 Syncro club, as Ive just purchased a 89model with Trakka Conversion and quiet excited..

Im about to attempt its maiden voyage from SA to nowra NSW..

Looking at lifting the van with bigger tyres and rims, does anyone know details of rims etc I can use?

In addition where and how can I reposition the spare tyre from interanl back of van to external of vechicle somewhere?

Thanks for details Brent and Michelle this is our 3rd T3 and first with syncro..


Find out how here Get Hotmail on your iPhone
9
Gday Brent,
I also have a Trakka syncro. Forgive me but the mind boggles how one would contend with an internally placed spare wheel along with a Trakka conversion. Perhaps this is the spare wheel placement that Les would like a photo of. Can you please supply such a photo please to the forum.
Ken 
 
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: brent.warner1@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2009 10:37:41 +0000
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re : Extra Lift Possibilities

 
Hi Guys, im new to VW T3 Syncro club, as Ive just purchased a 89model with Trakka Conversion and quiet excited..

Im about to attempt its maiden voyage from SA to nowra NSW..

Looking at lifting the van with bigger tyres and rims, does anyone know details of rims etc I can use?

In addition where and how can I reposition the spare tyre from interanl back of van to external of vechicle somewhere?

Thanks for details Brent and Michelle this is our 3rd T3 and first with syncro..



Check out The Great Australian Pay Check Take a peek at other people's pay and perks
10

Phill,

 

This rings a bell.  In Melbourne , City Subaru had the VW franchise at the time and the first Syncro they had was an extremely austere version.  From memory, it had side windows, the interior was completely unlined and it had two round headlights.  I drove it but I can’t remember where the spare wheel was.  I only ever saw the one of those.  The subsequent Syncros were the four headlight Transporters and Caravelles.

 

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of plander@optusnet.com.au
Sent: 03 October 2009 11:41
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] The Syncro- Highly Capable in Standard Configuration

 

 


> I wasn't aware of the inside storage. I have only ever seen the under
> front
> position. (My T2 had the rear interior storage.) Can you put a date on
> the
> Syncro interior storage?

I think it was an early '88. It had no clock, cigarette lighter or vent windows. I wish that I had of taken more interest in these early ones as i drove many. It also had 5.5" wheels.


11
> I also have a Trakka syncro. Forgive me but the mind boggles how one
> would contend with an internally placed spare wheel along with a Trakka
> conversion.

The early Trakka T3s (Air-cooled and 1900s) had the spare in the back.
12
> Les_Harris <leslieharris@optusnet.com.au> wrote:
>
> Phill,
>
>
>
> This rings a bell. In Melbourne, City Subaru had the VW franchise at
> the
> time and the first Syncro they had was an extremely austere version.
> From
> memory, it had side windows, the interior was completely unlined and it
> had
> two round headlights. I drove it but I can't remember where the spare
> wheel
> was. I only ever saw the one of those. The subsequent Syncros were the
> four headlight Transporters and Caravelles.
>
>
>
> Les
>
>

I have driven many round headlight syncros. As far as I know, there were no syncro panel vans imported to Australia other than the Telstra specials.

I think the square headlights came out during '88. Most of the early round ones have been converted by now.
13
Les,
Is a Tristar a genuine 16" model?
 
If so ..... Hartmuts.
 
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: leslieharris@optusnet.com.au
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 10:53:41 +1000
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] The Syncro- Highly Capable in Standard Configuration

 

Phill,

 

I wasn’t aware of the inside storage.  I have only ever seen the under front position.  (My T2 had the rear interior storage.)  Can you put a date on the Syncro interior storage?  Better still, do you have any pics that can be scanned and posted.

 

The “clamshell” was standard on the US delivered Vanagon and, as I understand it, on the 2WD T3s delivered in Australia.  The 2WD came with 14 X 5.5 and, as far as I know, the Australian delivered Syncros all came with the heavier 14 X 6.  I wasn’t aware that the Australian delivered Syncro came with anything other than the square tube carrier.  Again, do you have any dates or pictures of the pressed metal version?

 

I have some early brochures from the Syncro introduction to Australia that I must check but you probably have more brochures that the rest of us put together.

 

Regarding the 16” Syncro, were any 16” sold in Australia?  And how many 16” were built world wide?  I was under the impression that the only two 16” in Australia (other than personal imports) were those of Yurik and Mark.

 

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of plander@optusnet. com.au
Sent: 03 October 2009 10:27
To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] The Syncro- Highly Capable in Standard Configuration



That is not exactly correct Les.

There are 4 standard options for the spare wheel.

1/ In the back above the engine.
Early Australian syncros came like this.

2/ Clamshell under the front.
This is if you have 14 X 5.5 wheels.

3/ Heavy duty front carrier.
This is the common one for Australia and the one that you have described. (14 X 6 wheels)

4/Rear swing out carrier.




Check out The Great Australian Pay Check Take a peek at other people's pay and perks
14

Phill,

 

That is probably the dividing line – between the early T3s, which were air cooled, and the later, which were water cooled. 

 

Next question, what was the date of the change from air cooled to water cooled in Australia ?

 

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of plander@optusnet.com.au
Sent: 03 October 2009 12:27
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Re : Extra Lift Possibilities

 

 



> I also have a Trakka syncro. Forgive me but the mind boggles how one
> would contend with an internally placed spare wheel along with a Trakka
> conversion.

The early Trakka T3s (Air-cooled and 1900s) had the spare in the back.

15

Ken,

 

No, as I understand it, the TriStar came with factory 14” alloy wheels.

 

Les

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Ken Garratt
Sent: 03 October 2009 12:46
To: Syncro Oz Forum
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] The Syncro- Highly Capable in Standard Configuration

 

 

Les,
Is a Tristar a genuine 16" model?
 
If so ..... Hartmuts.
 

 

16
Hi Brent,
I also am fairly new to the Syncro and mine is also a Trakka conversion. I don't have the diff lockers. I have 27X8.5X14LT Radial tyres on there and they have worked a treat. I'm still not altogether comfortable with the sand driving but the Syncro has handled brilliantly and the one time I did bog (in sand), no one could believe I had gotten to where I had. It was a steep sand dune/track and two Pajero's had gone ahead of me and taken three atttempts to get there. I was travelling with them so I had to follow. Almost made it too! Good luck on your maiden trip. Harold
17
I have an 88 Syncro Trakka with round headlighs and curious to know if there are any others out there.




--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, plander@... wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > Les_Harris <leslieharris@...> wrote:
> >
> > Phill,
> >
> >
> >
> > This rings a bell. In Melbourne, City Subaru had the VW franchise at
> > the
> > time and the first Syncro they had was an extremely austere version.
> > From
> > memory, it had side windows, the interior was completely unlined and it
> > had
> > two round headlights. I drove it but I can't remember where the spare
> > wheel
> > was. I only ever saw the one of those. The subsequent Syncros were the
> > four headlight Transporters and Caravelles.
> >
> >
> >
> > Les
> >
> >
>
> I have driven many round headlight syncros. As far as I know, there were no syncro panel vans imported to Australia other than the Telstra specials.
>
> I think the square headlights came out during '88. Most of the early round ones have been converted by now.
>
18
> Is a Tristar a genuine 16" model?


No, TriStars are 14"
19
> Les_Harris <leslieharris@optusnet.com.au> wrote:
>
> Phill,
>
>
>
> That is probably the dividing line - between the early T3s, which were
> air
> cooled, and the later, which were water cooled.
>
>
>
> Next question, what was the date of the change from air cooled to water
> cooled in Australia?
>



Compliance date or manufacture date?
20

About the tristar : the tristar was build on demand of the swedish volkswagen importer who wanted to offer their clients a very luxourious T3, this had to do with tax legislations. About 1500 of them were build, if I’m correct 1000 2wd and 500 syncro’s. The syncro’s came with the typical tristar fender flares that differ from the 16 inch fender flares.

They were only available in a 14 inch version although you could also get them with 16 inch alloy “keyhole” rims with low profile tires. The same kind of keyhole rims ware also sold on lancia’s although with a different bolts pattern. The tristars with 16 inch alloy rims were no genuine 16 inch syncro’s. If you want to know the differences between a 14 and 16 inch you should look to my website www.busman.be  , go to info and then look at the page differences 14 and 16 inch.

But, one could get everything on demand, so yes, a few 16 inch tristars were build.

In some countries, like the US , the tristars had a lot of options standard. About two dozen of them were sold in the us. They came with power windows, power mirrors, etc… European tristars didn’t have the electrical options standard. Anyway, tristars never came with all the options like on the white well known one from the brochure. The bulbar, roll bar, aluminium side gates, everything was optional.

One or two were sold in OZ I think, about 20 RHD tristars were sold in the UK .

 

About 16 inch syncro, 2138 of them were build in all models. Panel vans, window busses, double cabs, campers and single cabs. The rarest are the campers and the single cabs. Engines were the 1600TD, the 1900 carburettor, the 2.1 MV, DJ and SS (only for the swiss market if I’m correct).

When I’m not mistaking only two of them went to OZ, a special doka with dual shocks front and rear and a trakka camper.

The 16 inch syncro was produced from 1987 to 1992 and was only sold in continental Europe . I know of only one that was originally sold to the UK .

Although the 16 inch was never available in RHD, I know the 2 australian ones are RHD and one or two more are in south Africa . I sold one RHD doka to the UK and one to Ireland . These two cars were first registered in 1994 (!!) in germany , although normally cars there are left hand drive

 

Mike plompen

www.busman.be

www.syncro25years.eu