> > My syncro has an underpanel at the front where the spare wheel on a 2WD
> > goes.
> > This seems to be for weather and foreign body protection. It was a pain

I saw a 1987 white syncro westy in a parking lot at the local zoo (inline 4,
16" wheels, front diff lock etc.). This van had skid plates/pans at the
front where the spare would be and a pan which covers the underside of the
engine at the rear.  The rear cover looked similar to what the diesel van
has, but it wasn't a diesel part.
Both covers looked factory.  I've never seen either cover before, was this a
16" thing?  The covers were not what I would call skid plates as they were
made of sheet metal.  The engine may have been a TDI, couldn't tell for
sure.

Gary
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gary2a/rack/vanagonrack.htm