I can think of several other reasons why VW did not build it in-house:
Steyr-Puch had the expertise and tooling, and VW was already thinking of a
replacement for the Vanagon.

While it may be a labor consuming and expensive task, it's an interesting
way of "preserving" a rare beast.

I'd try it just to see if it works.  You can always bolt all the 2WD stuff
back up.

If not, I can always adopt a "useless" Syncro.

Chris.

----- Original Message -----
From: 1980 VW Westfalia "Pokey" <pokey@VANAGON.ORG>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2000 8:19 AM
Subject: Re: It is possible to make a 2WD into a Syncro?

> Even with free labour swapping components to a 2wd is not an option. Here
is
> what Vanagon.com had to say about swapping synchro components to a 2wd
> westy:
>
> Syncro's are so different from regular VW Vanagons that VW decided to
> contract out the construction, and they were built by Steyr-Daimler-Puch
in
> Austria at the same factory where they build the Mercedes Gelandewagen
SUV.
> So VW did not want to touch this, why should you? Besides the powertrain,
> the suspension is different, there is a totally different fuel system
> located over the trnsmission, control wiring to go to the cab, vacuum
lines,
> a special snorkle air intake system for fording those deep streams, bash
> plates that protect the powertrain, etc.
>
> One of the great thing about Syncro buses is that all of this was thought
> out and engineered in great detail to make these a world class vehicle.
Just
> slipping in a Syncro powertrain would not do it. If you aleready have a
late
> model Westfalia camper, keep it pristine and ready to sell, and when that
> Syncro Westie appears in the local want ads, go for it and sell your 2WD.
> You'll likely pay a hefty premium for the Syncro if its in similar shape,
> but it won't be to much different than the cost of buying a donor Syncro
> plus the value of your 2WD Westie, and your labor and grief factors will
be
> much, much lower.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris Gronski
> Toronto, Ontario,
> '80 Westy "Pokey"
> '87 Chevrolet Sprint (Ice Racer)
> '91 Pontiac Firefly Convertible
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "CHRIS STANN" <cstann@HOME.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, September 29, 2000 9:08 AM
> Subject: Re: It is possible to make a 2WD into a Syncro?
>
>
> > It seems to me that it can be done.  From looking at the Bentley you may
> end
> > up swapping out the entire front suspension.  I have no idea if the
> > transmission will bolt to the existing  mounts.  I would use the rear
> > springs, too.
> >
> > If you don't use it, can I have it?  My '85 Westy is itching to go
muddin'
> !
> >
> > Chris.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2000 11:27 PM
> > Subject: Re: It is possible to make a 2WD into a Syncro?
> >
> >
> > > Very good point, but I have access to a damage Syncro which isn't
going
> > > anywhere anymore!
> > >
> > > At 05:18 PM 28/09/2000 -1000, Mick Kalber wrote:
> > > >Gee, Dave, as in demand as syncros are, why not sell the syncro and
buy
> a
> > > >westy 2WD?  Probably could get some good $$$ for it and maybe improve
> > your
> > > >ride quality.
> > > >
> > > >Seems criminal to waste a syncro.
> > > >
> > > >Mick Kalber
> > > >89 Syncro Westy "Daddy-O"
> > > >Tropical Visions Video, Inc.
> > > >62 Halaulani Place    Hilo, Hawaii  96720
> > > >ph. 808-935-5557    fax 808-935-0066
> > > >hotlava@interpac.net
> > > >www.volcanoscapes.com
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >-----Original Message-----
> > > >From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On
Behalf
> > > >Of David Marshall
> > > >Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2000 4:30 PM
> > > >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > >Subject: It is possible to make a 2WD into a Syncro?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >I know this question has been asked before, but I never really paid
> > > >attention to the answer.
> > > >
> > > >If someone has a complete Syncro is it possible to transfer
everything
> > over
> > > >to a 2WD?  By "it is possible" I am talking about free labour and
time
> is
> > > >not an issue.  Does any one have all the gory details?
> > > >
> > > >-- David Marshall - Volkswagen Enthusiast - Quesnel, BC, Canada   --
> > > >-- 78 VW Rabbit, 80 VW Iltis, 80 VW Caddy, 84 VW Westfalia        --
> > > >-- 85 VW Cabriolet, 87 Audi 5000 Quattro, 88 VW Syncro Double Cab --
> > > >-- David's Volkswagen Home Page        http://www.volkswagen.org  --
> > > >-- Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning  http://www.fastforward.ca  --
> > > >-- david@volkswagen.org (pmail) or vanagon@volkswagen.org (list)  --
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > -- David Marshall - Volkswagen Enthusiast - Quesnel, BC, Canada   --
> > > -- 78 VW Rabbit, 80 VW Iltis, 80 VW Caddy, 84 VW Westfalia        --
> > > -- 85 VW Cabriolet, 87 Audi 5000 Quattro, 88 VW Syncro Double Cab --
> > > -- David's Volkswagen Home Page        http://www.volkswagen.org  --
> > > -- Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning  http://www.fastforward.ca  --
> > > -- david@volkswagen.org (pmail) or vanagon@volkswagen.org (list)  --
> >