Andres,
The T4 is a totally different vehicle.
It is transverse front engine, front wheel drive. They did make a Syncro version of the T4 by adding a drive shaft running to the rear wheels but it was a mere shadow of the T3 Syncro. It had a completely different weight distribution, both static and dynamic, it had more overhang, it had less ground clearance and it was a joke by comparison with the T3 Syncro.
There is a strong T3 Syncro group in South Africa . When the T4 Syncro came out, a number of SA T3 Syncro owners “upgraded” to the T4 Syncro, only to find that they had in fact downgraded – by quite a long way. They quietly sold their T4 Syncros and went back to the T3 Syncro.
Yes, it employs a VC and yes, the need for identical tyre rolling radius size still applies.
Summary: totally different vehicle with about half the capability of the T3 Syncro.
Les
From:
Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ]
On Behalf Of xaromerox
Sent: 26 April 2010 09:15
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] T4
2001 syncro
Hi Im confused
Does the T4 syncro work differently to the T3 syncro?
Do all tyres have to be the same etc?
Does it have a viscous coupling?
If not is there a decoupler for the T4 available?
Andres
Well put Les,
What our vehicles are capable of can only be compared to the capabilities of an UNIMOG. Amazes me again and again.
The unlucky T4 has entered VAGs shame file. Hartmut
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Les Harris
Sent: Monday, 26 April 2010 9:37 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] T4 2001 syncro
Andres,
The T4 is a totally different vehicle.
It is transverse front engine, front wheel drive. They did make a Syncro version of the T4 by adding a drive shaft running to the rear wheels but it was a mere shadow of the T3 Syncro. It had a completely different weight distribution, both static and dynamic, it had more overhang, it had less ground clearance and it was a joke by comparison with the T3 Syncro.
There is a strong T3 Syncro group in South Africa. When the T4 Syncro came out, a number of SA T3 Syncro owners “upgraded” to the T4 Syncro, only to find that they had in fact downgraded – by quite a long way. They quietly sold their T4 Syncros and went back to the T3 Syncro.
Yes, it employs a VC and yes, the need for identical tyre rolling radius size still applies.
Summary: totally different vehicle with about half the capability of the T3 Syncro.
Les
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of xaromerox
Sent: 26 April 2010 09:15
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] T4 2001 syncro
Hi Im confused
Does the T4 syncro work differently to the T3 syncro?
Do all tyres have to be the same etc?
Does it have a viscous coupling?
If not is there a decoupler for the T4 available?
Andres
Hart. This guy, Andres is the person selling the other Syncro who called me to say he dropped the price by $2000 as he wants a T4????
Peter
Peter,
Andres is a member of the group. As many have done before and will do again, Andres is on a very steep learning curve. All we can do is be supportive.
Les
From:
Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ]
On Behalf Of Peter Coe
Sent: 26 April 2010 11:21
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia]
T4 2001 syncro
Hart. This guy, Andres is the person selling the other Syncro who called me to say he dropped the price by $2000 as he wants a T4????
Peter
Hart. This guy, Andres is the person selling the other Syncro who called me to say he dropped the price by $2000 as he wants a T4????
Peter
Andres,
What you have done is swap a strong, safe, comfortable and highly capable vehicle for one that is strong, safe, moderately comfortable and barely capable.
There is nothing “hard core” about the T3 Syncro. It was sold as a family vehicle and that is what it was mostly used for and mostly on sealed roads. But it was also designed for countries that get snow and ice each winter. In this role, the T3 Syncro just romped along while everything else couldn’t get grip and slid off the road. It was never a specialist vehicle that could be operated by mechanically minded people. It was a safe and competent family vehicle.
In terms of camping, the highest value T3 Syncros on sale in Australia are the professionally installed camper conversions like the Trakka. In terms of usability, a lot of T3 Syncro owners either have a professional conversion or have done their own and all of them can “sleep in it” when they need, usually with very satisfied grins. I have attached a pic of my 89 Trakka conversion as an example.
The reason that there is almost nothing in the way of support groups for the T4 is that there just isn’t much that you can do with it and what’s the point when it is no different to the average Japanese delivery van. Just as you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, there is no way in the world that you turn a T4 Syncro into a T3 Syncro, hence no such thing as decouplers.
We aren’t being biased, we are just telling you the facts, particularly the engineers amongst us.
Les
From:
Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ]
On Behalf Of Andres Romero
Sent: 26 April 2010 11:35
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia]
T4 2001 Syncro
Hi thats me. She sold on Saturday and the guy drove back to Alice Springs from Sydney . Im not as hardcore as you guys with the T3's dont get me wrong I think you guys and girls are cool. Where Im at is I want to just do a few dirt tracks mainly highway driving and the T3 seemed a hardcore specialist vehicle Im not mechanical. I need something more modern and it has to VW I like the transporters because I want to sleep in it. Ive found a nice 2001 T4 syncro diesel but have now been told that you cant fit a decoupler to it. What have I done?
On 26/04/2010, at 11:21 AM, Peter Coe wrote:
Hart. This guy, Andres is the person selling the other Syncro who called me to say he dropped the price by $2000 as he wants a T4????
Peter
Hi Andres,
If what you say you want it for, you will be ok , maybe VAG learnt a lot from the past and changed the VC somewhat , and I am sure they did, they never ever stop developing .
A friend of mine on a farm in very mountainous country has a T4 single cab , a T4 dual cab for years , both he is abusing constantly and so far had no problems with VCs. So my little bit of input is, just go and enjoy she ‘ll be right mate. Hartmut
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Andres Romero
Sent: Monday, 26 April 2010 11:35 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] T4 2001 syncro
Hi thats me. She sold on Saturday and the guy drove back to Alice Springs from Sydney. Im not as hardcore as you guys with the T3's dont get me wrong I think you guys and girls are cool. Where Im at is I want to just do a few dirt tracks mainly highway driving and the T3 seemed a hardcore specialist vehicle Im not mechanical. I need something more modern and it has to VW I like the transporters because I want to sleep in it. Ive found a nice 2001 T4 syncro diesel but have now been told that you cant fit a decoupler to it. What have I done?
On 26/04/2010, at 11:21 AM, Peter Coe wrote:
Hart. This guy, Andres is the person selling the other Syncro who called me to say he dropped the price by $2000 as he wants a T4????
Peter
Les , I am impressed no end, last time I saw it...............or is this a very dated pic???? hartmut
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Les Harris
Sent: Monday, 26 April 2010 11:57 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] T4 2001 syncro
Andres,
What you have done is swap a strong, safe, comfortable and highly capable vehicle for one that is strong, safe, moderately comfortable and barely capable.
There is nothing “hard core” about the T3 Syncro. It was sold as a family vehicle and that is what it was mostly used for and mostly on sealed roads. But it was also designed for countries that get snow and ice each winter. In this role, the T3 Syncro just romped along while everything else couldn’t get grip and slid off the road. It was never a specialist vehicle that could be operated by mechanically minded people. It was a safe and competent family vehicle.
In terms of camping, the highest value T3 Syncros on sale in Australia are the professionally installed camper conversions like the Trakka. In terms of usability, a lot of T3 Syncro owners either have a professional conversion or have done their own and all of them can “sleep in it” when they need, usually with very satisfied grins. I have attached a pic of my 89 Trakka conversion as an example.
The reason that there is almost nothing in the way of support groups for the T4 is that there just isn’t much that you can do with it and what’s the point when it is no different to the average Japanese delivery van. Just as you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, there is no way in the world that you turn a T4 Syncro into a T3 Syncro, hence no such thing as decouplers.
We aren’t being biased, we are just telling you the facts, particularly the engineers amongst us.
Les
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Andres Romero
Sent: 26 April 2010 11:35
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] T4 2001 Syncro
Hi thats me. She sold on Saturday and the guy drove back to Alice Springs from Sydney. Im not as hardcore as you guys with the T3's dont get me wrong I think you guys and girls are cool. Where Im at is I want to just do a few dirt tracks mainly highway driving and the T3 seemed a hardcore specialist vehicle Im not mechanical. I need something more modern and it has to VW I like the transporters because I want to sleep in it. Ive found a nice 2001 T4 syncro diesel but have now been told that you cant fit a decoupler to it. What have I done?
On 26/04/2010, at 11:21 AM, Peter Coe wrote:
Hart. This guy, Andres is the person selling the other Syncro who called me to say he dropped the price by $2000 as he wants a T4????
Peter
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5059 (20100425) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
Hartmut,
Yes, it is dated but water restrictions over the last several years mean that it can’t be kept the way it was previously. It is looking scruffy again so I will make use of the cooler weather to give it a good polish.
Les
From:
Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ]
On Behalf Of Hartmut Kiehn
Sent: 26 April 2010 12:13
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia]
T4 2001 syncro
Les , I am impressed no end, last time I saw it.......... .....or is this a very dated pic???? hartmut
On 26/04/2010, at 11:56 AM, Les Harris wrote:<DSC00409.JPG>Andres,
What you have done is swap a strong, safe, comfortable and highly capable vehicle for one that is strong, safe, moderately comfortable and barely capable.
There is nothing “hard core” about the T3 Syncro. It was sold as a family vehicle and that is what it was mostly used for and mostly on sealed roads. But it was also designed for countries that get snow and ice each winter. In this role, the T3 Syncro just romped along while everything else couldn’t get grip and slid off the road. It was never a specialist vehicle that could be operated by mechanically minded people. It was a safe and competent family vehicle.
In terms of camping, the highest value T3 Syncros on sale in Australia are the professionally installed camper conversions like the Trakka. In terms of usability, a lot of T3 Syncro owners either have a professional conversion or have done their own and all of them can “sleep in it” when they need, usually with very satisfied grins. I have attached a pic of my 89 Trakka conversion as an example.
The reason that there is almost nothing in the way of support groups for the T4 is that there just isn’t much that you can do with it and what’s the point when it is no different to the average Japanese delivery van. Just as you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, there is no way in the world that you turn a T4 Syncro into a T3 Syncro, hence no such thing as decouplers.
We aren’t being biased, we are just telling you the facts, particularly the engineers amongst us.
Les
From: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com ] On Behalf Of Andres Romero
Sent: 26 April 2010 11:35
To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] T4 2001 SyncroHi thats me. She sold on Saturday and the guy drove back to Alice Springs from Sydney . Im not as hardcore as you guys with the T3's dont get me wrong I think you guys and girls are cool. Where Im at is I want to just do a few dirt tracks mainly highway driving and the T3 seemed a hardcore specialist vehicle Im not mechanical. I need something more modern and it has to VW I like the transporters because I want to sleep in it. Ive found a nice 2001 T4 syncro diesel but have now been told that you cant fit a decoupler to it. What have I done?
On 26/04/2010, at 11:21 AM, Peter Coe wrote:
Hart. This guy, Andres is the person selling the other Syncro who called me to say he dropped the price by $2000 as he wants a T4????
Peter
On 26/04/2010, at 12:34 PM, Les Harris wrote:Hartmut,
Yes, it is dated but water restrictions over the last several years mean that it can’t be kept the way it was previously. It is looking scruffy again so I will make use of the cooler weather to give it a good polish.
Les
From: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com [mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com ] On Behalf Of Hartmut Kiehn
Sent: 26 April 2010 12:13
To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] T4 2001 syncro
Les , I am impressed no end, last time I saw it.......... .....or is this a very dated pic???? hartmut
Les, isn’t time to relocate into a more temperate climate combined with on average 2000 (2mtr) of rain p.a. ?? You and family would be most welcomed here at Prt Macquarie !! Think about it. You are about my vintage and we have room here for a T3 learning centre as well as heaps of room for rainwater tanks and growing your own.........Hartmut
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Les Harris
Sent: Monday, 26 April 2010 12:34 PM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] T4 2001 syncro
Hartmut,
Yes, it is dated but water restrictions over the last several years mean that it can’t be kept the way it was previously. It is looking scruffy again so I will make use of the cooler weather to give it a good polish.
Les
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Hartmut Kiehn
Sent: 26 April 2010 12:13
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia] T4 2001 syncro
Les , I am impressed no end, last time I saw it...............or is this a very dated pic???? hartmut
Hi Andres,
Don’t despair. Despite what some others might say, and without disputing that the T3 Syncro is the toughest off-roader VW have ever made, you’ll be surprised at what your T4 can do. One of the other Kombi’s to the Kape participants, Doug, came in his T4 Syncro, and with careful driving, went everywhere that the T3’s went, and on standard road tyres too. Even my T5 was surprisingly effective, although I decided that discretion was the better part of valour when it came to the worst of the Old Telegraph Track, mainly due to the long wheelbase (poor ramp over angles), and it was just too new and expensive to risk getting stuck forever up there.
I know that a small suspension lift is relatively easy on a T4 (more so than my T5, as you have a torsion bar front end, which can just be adjusted up, and taller rear springs are an easy fit). Some bigger All Terrain tyres, and maybe some underbody protection would be good, but maybe unnecessary, depending on the terrain to be tackled. My T5 has a rear diff-lock, which is useful, but I don’t know that they were ever available for the T4, and Doug managed without one. As for decouplers, I wouldn’t have fitted one to my old T3 if I was given it for free. I still believe that a VC (or Haldex now, in the T5), in proper working condition, is the best compromise. If you were in Melbourne , I could recommend a mechanic for that sort of work, but I’m not sure about Sydney . It might be worth looking at www.vwwatercooled.org.au or http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/t4-chat_forum11.html for other ideas.
I’m sure you’re thinking, as I did when I bought the T5, that 95+% of your driving will be on paved roads and freeways, and you’ll really enjoy the comfortable and effortless cruising of the TDI. It’s just a pity there’s not the equivalent camaraderie of this group for the later AWD vans.
BRIAN REED
FAIRFIELD NATURAL THERAPIES
185 Wingrove St
Fairfield, Vic. 3078
03 9481 5673 0407 319 521
From:
Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Andres Romero
Sent: Monday, 26 April 2010 11:35
AM
To:
Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia]
T4 2001 syncro
Hi thats me. She sold on Saturday and the guy drove back to Alice Springs from Sydney . Im not as hardcore as you guys with the T3's dont get me wrong I think you guys and girls are cool. Where Im at is I want to just do a few dirt tracks mainly highway driving and the T3 seemed a hardcore specialist vehicle Im not mechanical. I need something more modern and it has to VW I like the transporters because I want to sleep in it. Ive found a nice 2001 T4 syncro diesel but have now been told that you cant fit a decoupler to it. What have I done?
On 26/04/2010, at 11:21 AM, Peter Coe wrote:
Hart. This guy, Andres is the person selling the other Syncro who called me to say he dropped the price by $2000 as he wants a T4????
Peter
From:
Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ]
On Behalf Of Brian Reed
Sent: 26 April 2010 16:16
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia]
T4 2001 syncro
It’s just a pity there’s not the equivalent camaraderie of this group for the later AWD vans.
Looks like I did the wrong thing by setting up a T3 Syncro group. Perhaps I should have included T4, T5, Country Buggy, Baja Beetles, Haflingers……..
BRIAN REED
FAIRFIELD NATURAL THERAPIES
185 Wingrove St
Fairfield, Vic. 3078
03 9481 5673 0407 319 521
Well Les, I even had to remind the VW Club to include the T5 (and Mk6 Golf, for that matter) in their concourse categories. And having owned the T3 Syncro from 1996 to 2007, in the early years there was nothing locally (that I found, at least). This group only came into existence in the last decade (you can tell us the exact date), nearly 10 years after production ceased, so who knows what might come up in the next decade or two. In the meantime, I’m happy to tag along with the T3’s. It’s for you, or the membership as a whole, to decide who might be included, but I think past T3 Syncro owners who’ve ‘upgraded?’ and still have an interest, is a fair starting point.
BRIAN REED
FAIRFIELD NATURAL THERAPIES
185 Wingrove St
Fairfield, Vic. 3078
03 9481 5673 0407 319 521
From: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
[mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com ] On Behalf Of Brian Reed
Sent: 26 April 2010 16:16
To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australi a]
T4 2001 syncro
It’s just a pity there’s not the equivalent camaraderie of this group for the later AWD vans.
Looks like I did the wrong thing by setting up a T3 Syncro group. Perhaps I should have included T4, T5, Country Buggy, Baja Beetles, Haflingers……..
BRIAN REED
FAIRFIELD NATURAL THERAPIES
185 Wingrove St
Fairfield, Vic. 3078
03 9481 5673 0407 319 521
Brian,
I must be missing something important here.
I bought my Syncro in December 2003 and immediately spent a great deal of time on the Internet collecting information on the Syncro, technical and otherwise.
I found support groups in the US (two of them) one in South Africa and one in England . I searched the Australian VW clubs for anything resembling a support group but the Syncro wasn’t even mentioned, let alone covered as a specific production Volkswagen. I have been told by some very knowledgeable VW people that VW never made a four wheel drive Kombi/Transporter, so perhaps that wasn’t surprising. In fact, I was even told by the VW dealer in Hawthorn in 1988 that no such vehicle existed….but that’s another story.
The only thing that I found that was of any relevance was a Syncro Register on one of the US Syncro groups, on which were about twenty Australian owners. I copied the mail addresses and began sending out an Australian Syncro newsletter in January 2004. The penny soon dropped that I would do better by starting a specific Australian Syncro mutual support and advice group.
I started this group in August 2004 because there was nothing in Australia for mutual support and advice and certainly nothing that I could find in any of the Australian VW clubs. Needless to say, I didn’t start a support group in 1988 because I didn’t own a Syncro then.
Where did I go wrong?
Les
(As a past T3 Syncro owner, you have stayed in the group, which is perfectly reasonable. It is quite probable that other long-standing T3 Syncro owners might wish to stay in the group if they go to a T4 or a T5; this is also reasonable.)
From:
Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com ]
On Behalf Of Brian Reed
Sent: 26 April 2010 17:13
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia]
T4 2001 Syncro
Well Les, I even had to remind the VW Club to include the T5 (and Mk6 Golf, for that matter) in their concourse categories. And having owned the T3 Syncro from 1996 to 2007, in the early years there was nothing locally (that I found, at least). This group only came into existence in the last decade (you can tell us the exact date), nearly 10 years after production ceased, so who knows what might come up in the next decade or two. In the meantime, I’m happy to tag along with the T3’s. It’s for you, or the membership as a whole, to decide who might be included, but I think past T3 Syncro owners who’ve ‘upgraded?’ and still have an interest, is a fair starting point
.
BRIAN REED
FAIRFIELD NATURAL THERAPIES
185 Wingrove St
Fairfield, Vic. 3078
03 9481 5673 0407 319 521
No Les, you’re not missing anything, that’s pretty much what I was saying. I would have been on that US Syncro register. I’m just noting that it took a long time for the value of the T3 Syncro to be recognized by a sufficient core of local enthusiasts (maybe related to more of them becoming readily and cheaply available as ex business vehicles), and maybe in time, the later models will also develop a greater following.
BRIAN REED
FAIRFIELD NATURAL THERAPIES
185 Wingrove St
Fairfield, Vic. 3078
03 9481 5673 0407 319 521
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Les Harris
Sent: Monday, 26 April 2010 5:48
PM
To:
Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australia]
T4 2001 syncro
Brian,
I must be missing something important here.
I bought my Syncro in December 2003 and immediately spent a great deal of time on the Internet collecting information on the Syncro, technical and otherwise.
I found support groups in the US (two of them) one in South Africa and one in England . I searched the Australian VW clubs for anything resembling a support group but the Syncro wasn’t even mentioned, let alone covered as a specific production Volkswagen. I have been told by some very knowledgeable VW people that VW never made a four wheel drive Kombi/Transporter, so perhaps that wasn’t surprising. In fact, I was even told by the VW dealer in Hawthorn in 1988 that no such vehicle existed….but that’s another story.
The only thing that I found that was of any relevance was a Syncro Register on one of the US Syncro groups, on which were about twenty Australian owners. I copied the mail addresses and began sending out an Australian Syncro newsletter in January 2004. The penny soon dropped that I would do better by starting a specific Australian Syncro mutual support and advice group.
I started this group in August 2004 because there was nothing in Australia for mutual support and advice and certainly nothing that I could find in any of the Australian VW clubs. Needless to say, I didn’t start a support group in 1988 because I didn’t own a Syncro then.
Where did I go wrong?
Les
(As a past T3 Syncro owner, you have stayed in the group, which is perfectly reasonable. It is quite probable that other long-standing T3 Syncro owners might wish to stay in the group if they go to a T4 or a T5; this is also reasonable.)
From: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
[mailto: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com ] On Behalf Of Brian Reed
Sent: 26 April 2010 17:13
To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
Subject: RE: [Syncro_T3_Australi a]
T4 2001 Syncro
Well Les, I even had to remind the VW Club to include the T5 (and Mk6 Golf, for that matter) in their concourse categories. And having owned the T3 Syncro from 1996 to 2007, in the early years there was nothing locally (that I found, at least). This group only came into existence in the last decade (you can tell us the exact date), nearly 10 years after production ceased, so who knows what might come up in the next decade or two. In the meantime, I’m happy to tag along with the T3’s. It’s for you, or the membership as a whole, to decide who might be included, but I think past T3 Syncro owners who’ve ‘upgraded?’ and still have an interest, is a fair starting point
.
BRIAN REED
FAIRFIELD NATURAL THERAPIES
185 Wingrove St
Fairfield, Vic. 3078
03 9481 5673 0407 319 521
On 26/04/2010, at 4:15 PM, Brian Reed wrote:Hi Andres,
Don’t despair. Despite what some others might say, and without disputing that the T3 Syncro is the toughest off-roader VW have ever made, you’ll be surprised at what your T4 can do. One of the other Kombi’s to the Kape participants, Doug, came in his T4 Syncro, and with careful driving, went everywhere that the T3’s went, and on standard road tyres too. Even my T5 was surprisingly effective, although I decided that discretion was the better part of valour when it came to the worst of the Old Telegraph Track, mainly due to the long wheelbase (poor ramp over angles), and it was just too new and expensive to risk getting stuck forever up there.
I know that a small suspension lift is relatively easy on a T4 (more so than my T5, as you have a torsion bar front end, which can just be adjusted up, and taller rear springs are an easy fit). Some bigger All Terrain tyres, and maybe some underbody protection would be good, but maybe unnecessary, depending on the terrain to be tackled. My T5 has a rear diff-lock, which is useful, but I don’t know that they were ever available for the T4, and Doug managed without one. As for decouplers, I wouldn’t have fitted one to my old T3 if I was given it for free. I still believe that a VC (or Haldex now, in the T5), in proper working condition, is the best compromise. If you were in Melbourne , I could recommend a mechanic for that sort of work, but I’m not sure about Sydney . It might be worth looking at www.vwwatercooled. org.au or http://www.brick- yard.co.uk/ forum/t4- chat_forum11. html for other ideas.
I’m sure you’re thinking, as I did when I bought the T5, that 95+% of your driving will be on paved roads and freeways, and you’ll really enjoy the comfortable and effortless cruising of the TDI. It’s just a pity there’s not the equivalent camaraderie of this group for the later AWD vans.
BRIAN REED
FAIRFIELD NATURAL THERAPIES
185 Wingrove St
Fairfield, Vic. 3078
03 9481 5673 0407 319 521
From: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com [mailto:Syncro_ T3_Australia@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Andres Romero
Sent: Monday, 26 April 2010 11:35 AM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia @yahoogroups. com
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] T4 2001 syncro
Hi thats me. She sold on Saturday and the guy drove back to Alice Springs from Sydney . Im not as hardcore as you guys with the T3's dont get me wrong I think you guys and girls are cool. Where Im at is I want to just do a few dirt tracks mainly highway driving and the T3 seemed a hardcore specialist vehicle Im not mechanical. I need something more modern and it has to VW I like the transporters because I want to sleep in it. Ive found a nice 2001 T4 syncro diesel but have now been told that you cant fit a decoupler to it. What have I done?
On 26/04/2010, at 11:21 AM, Peter Coe wrote:
Hart. This guy, Andres is the person selling the other Syncro who called me to say he dropped the price by $2000 as he wants a T4????
Peter