Interestingly according to an online video tutorial from the UK all T3’s have the positioning to house rear seat belts so as long as you use appropriate belts (this fella used brickwerks belts) and fit correctly then there shouldn’t be an issue. Thanks @portmacpeter the quest for the holy grail is half the fun, learning a lot as I go.
Andy
Well, as I said previously and I repeat:
“If you are serious, expect to spend a year searching and waiting. You might get lucky earlier, maybe not.”
The thing is, up to 12 months gives you the chance to know more thoroughly the topic and places you in a better position to buy right, not wrong, when the opportunity apears.
Ken I missed this bit about vin plates not being stamped, I’m researching with local mechanics about what they look at and any conversion or current problems under a blue slip check. Hopefully talk to an old Rugby mate who does blue slip checks this week. My first check from now on is the vin plate. I should be documenting all of this.
Andy
That’s one of the biggest problems with all campers form that era, apart of Trakka there is no documentation available anymore.
Mine has been converted by Camperize, also 4 seater with all belts, Z bar etc. but compliance plate state it’s a 2 seater. Got a sticker with a number of Camperize on the A-Pillar which is apparently the compliance number in NSW, but couldn’t find out anything. Now in VIC, it’s registered as a Transporter and nobody looked for any engineering certificate for the pop top or camper conversion.
Dunno what it will be if we move interstate…
Yeah that’s right, as long as the base was a window van, all those seatbelt bolt holes are there. Panelvan e.g. Telstra = no.
But you will still be able to fit some, though it’s not easy.
Important nowadays is also that the seat itself is ADR approved. The old rock n’ roll beds are not approved under ADR and therefore cannot be certified nowadays
Hi Arne, In the uk tutorial I watched I think he said it was an ex panel van yet it still had the marked points for seat belts, would that be correct?
Anyway I had ideas to fit a second hand rock n roll bed if I found a van without but I guess that wouldn’t pass a blue slip check. Could you fit a second hand 3 seat Caravelle setup in a van without back seats and if you could would they fold down custom a bed over the top?
@unclekenz @kombi4x427lc @portmacpeter @Neil @GW2200
Andy,
As you are in NSW, go up to the search facility at top righthand corner and enter the following words … “NSW Rip Off”.
This archived topic you will find is lengthy, in your case is relevant, should help you appreciate the minefield you have to cross if you aren’t careful how you approach buying or fabricating a 30+ year old pop/high top campervan in NSW.
Move to VIC, might be a whole lot easier.
I have the same sticker as Arne on the duct just below the dash where they stick the M-code label but it is just a label referring to a code from the old RTA. I bet our current NSW Service NSW would have no clue what it means.
My compliance plate says 8 seater from the Caravelle CL format but its now a camper so its a 6 seater with an old rock’n’roll bed which is not one of the current RMS approved bed/ seats and a factory jump seat which faces the rear of the van behind the passenger seat.
I haven’t had mine certified since as it had the camper conversion done prior to my ownership - all I did was add the pop-top and my Camperize label refers to the same code as fully fitted out vans with pop-tops.
My van also came with a engineers certification for the Subaru conversion so I haven’t bothered to upgrade that even though I changed the Subaru engine to another version.
Mines on club rego which only requires a hand written pink slip so no engineers certificates are checked. If I put the van back on full rego I will probably get harassed for a full review of the conversion(s) as my engineers certificate is very old now…
Hi Ken,
Thanks for that link painful reading but well worth it.
If I bought a Syncro that needed modification from interstate to take these costs into consideration and have these conversations with installer and RTA before proceeding with any mods. Still look to NSW as first choice in my search.
If you can think of any other advice I need please pass on, this forum has been the best thing I’ve done so far in finding a vehicle.
Andy
So to summarise, to keep the lid on the can of worms:
Only buy an intrastate REGISTERED vehicle.
Do the buyer a favour when you sell … only sell the REGISTERED vehicle to an intrastate buyer.
Avoid any/all circumstances that might lead to the vehicle requiring a blue slip inspection … for example, allowing rego to lapse for too long.
Stay friendly with your local mechanic who does your recurring annual rego checks.
Too easy! HA!
Ken, I’ve seen reference to models that came out with 16" wheels, how do you know whether a vehicle had these fitted later as opposed to factory standard and what year did these come out?
Andy
Don’t worry about 16”, there are just 2 RHD in the country (not for sale) and one 1 LHD I’m aware of.
There might be another one somewhere, but that’s about it.
So 99.99% of Syncros in the country are 14” 
I’m looking at one thought it might of had 16”s but it has 15”s.
If you want to get a second opinion, just send it through via private message in case you don’t wanna share it in public
Most owners have moved to (still legal) 15" rims, given suitable 15" tyres are more available than 14".
If you want to offroad, maybe stick with 15" wheels, not 16".
No worries I won’t see it for awhile finding out more details.
Ok good to know, what tyres are a good match with Syncro’s in an AT tyre?
I used to swear by BF’s but have Kumo’s on my Amarok and they’ve been good.
Again … do a search for “15” All Terrain tyres4"
Seriously, there is a plethora of reading available on most syncro related topics on this forums archive. Enter ANY keyword/s at the search and you can uncover a wealth of syncro info. The archive content is as relevant today as it was posted previously … over many years. Excellent free content for research.
Enjoy!
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Ken is spot on with the availability of advice on the site. From my perspective, the BFG KO2s are the best for our vans. However the 15" are very hard to get at present. Supply issues from the factory. Word is they may become available later in the year. But there are other options which are canvassed on posts on the site, such as Bridgestone.
Cheers, Peter
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Yep have been reading and searching through different topics, it’s all on here, very helpful. @unclekenz