John, you can use the syncro thermostat housing in your 2wd van and
there is no problem with the hoses.  However there is a problem with the
sensors.  The 2wd Vanagon plastic thermostat housing uses coolant temp
sensors that clip in place while the syncro one uses sensors that screw
into place like the 1.9l Vanagon.  Actually the sensors for the syncro
are the same as the 1.9l Vanagon.  The Temp II sensor will just plug in
(blue plug) however the coolant temp sensor for the gauge (black plug)
you would have to modify a little.  It has two wires to it a brown one
(ground) and a yellow with a red stripe (sensor wire).  Just cut the
normal plug off of the end and crimp a new female spade end on the wire
that is yellow with the red stripe.  Now plug this onto your new syncro
coolant temp sensor for gauge and you should be good to go.  I don't
think you need to do anything with the brown wire, just tape it out of
your way.  Hope this helps,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

John Reynolds wrote:
> SNIP.... mostly the plastic hose connections, like the thermostat housing and the distubution pipe behind the engine on the later vannies..... SNIP SNIP
>
> Luckily the complex distribution pipe on right side was replaced a few years ago.  I have a metal Syncro T-Stat housing that I could repalce the plastic housing with, but some of hoses into the thermostat housing are different from the 2WD vans.  While perhaps some of the Syncro hoses could be substituted, it is not readily apparent if this approach will work.  If anyone has the Syncro into 2WD (manual) hose puzzle solved, please let me know!
>
> John
> LiMBO
>
>