Bob Berkemer wrote:

> 1. Am I just looking at a lot of mechanical headaches and expense by
> moving to the syncro? We do like to get on some pretty iffy roads!

As a Syncro owner, I just cant say that you do. The Syncro is just as
reliable as the regular Vanagon (sic). Of course, there are a couple more cv
joints to go bad, and some other stuff like vc coupling and drive shaft, but
none of them are really known to be notoriously bad. If the tranny goes bad,
it costs a lot more to have it repaired, but one cant go around being afraid
of that. 2wd trannys go bad too, the problems are the same.

If you like to go a bit off-road, you will be glad you got the Syncro, just
make sure there is a diff lock, some (very few) Syncros didn't have the rear
diff lock, none in the US had the front diff lock. The G (low) gear is
great, too.

> 3. O.K. ...one more question, will a westy syncro fit into your standard
> garage? I know they are taller but can't find the measurement.

A regular Syncro is only 1" taller than the regular Vanagon, according to my
owners manual. They look much taller than 1", though.

PerL
87 Syncro 112i