Yes, that front one sounds like it, they're not real rally style skid
plates, but about 20 swg pressings with considerable reinforcing ribs
laterally inside and longitudinal finger pressings.

Mine hasn't got a rear one one, but it might have been removed if it had one
originally.
Does anyone know exactly where the supposed 'Factory Options' plate is
fitted - surely this would show special fit parts.

I'm also wondering whether the rear frame under and behind my engine (square
section tube about 11/4" ish) is standard - will have to srtart crwaling
under other peoples vans in the craparks around here.

Clive
'88 Syncro Transporter

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Lee" <gary2a@TELUSPLANET.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2002 2:55 AM
Subject: re. Syncro front underpanel

> > > 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