On Monday, October 28, 2002, at 01:02 AM, Brian D Butler wrote:

>  Is there any difference between a 2wd and a syncro body?
> Is this easily done by a backyard mechanic?
> Do I need a crane to transfer the two bodies, or can you get a group
> of 8-10 people around the body to lift and transfer them?

You mean outside of the difference that the 2wd gas tank is in the
front, and the Syncro gas tank is in the rear?

As 8-10 people moving the bodies...Let us say for the moment that the
body is ONLY 2000 pounds (and the other 2500 pounds of the vehicle is
in the drive train...) then you are only talking about need 10 bodies
capable of lifting 200 pounds each...and walking around with it
(coordinated with each other).

Personally, I think this approach is a little backwards. If you want to
do the swap, put the 2wd up on some stands, and remove all of its drive
train, gas tank etc. The put in the gas tank of the syncro (putting in
a new opening in your rear quarter panel for the fill up point.) then
add the syncro drivetrain...and skid plate.

I would consider doing it...if I had about 2 or 3 months to do the
project. (I have a few other things I do besides working on my
Vanagons...)

:)