A Syncro (notice there is no "h" in Syncro) is a totally different beast.
As an owner of a Syncro Westy, I can tell you that there are innumerable
differences from a 2WD which makes them very unique.  My advice would be to
stick with 2WD unless you want/need 4WD.  The reason I say this is that they
are a bit more work to maintain and a bit more expensive, and if you don't
love it for being a Syncro (like I do) you could find it tiresome.  They are
also about 300 lbs heavier, and don't get as good gas mileage as a 2WD .
(For example, I get about 15-17 MPG where a lot of 2WD Westies talk about
getting 20+ MPG.

On the other hand, if you feel the need for a really unique and superior 4WD
vehicle, the Syncro is GREAT!  You will also join the ranks of a great
sub-group within the list community where we do neat stuff like have custom
springs made and import shocks by the container load from Australia.  :-)

Good luck with whatever you choose!

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: Kim Springer [mailto:kspringr@IX.NETCOM.COM]
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2000 12:09 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Synchro vs Non-Synchro

Tobin,

Thanks for the encouragement.

To All (even Eric),

Maybe this is a good subject for some review.  My understanding is that the
mounting of the front diff' and the extra "ladder beam" that you find on the
synchos is completely different than what you find underneath the
Non-Syncho.

I myself have never crawled under the two to compare.

Feedback from the viewing audience?

Thanks, Kim

[text/html]