Syncro Bug?

[type34inKY]

Does anyone know of a Vanagon 4WD Syncro in a Type1? I've often thought if I won the lottery I might try it. I wonder how much power those trannys would take.

How friggin cool would that be?

[Shadowbug]

ther e was a fellow around one of the forums who modified a bus box, he had a new main shaft macined up so it extended out the front of the case so he could drive a differential at the front.
if you were to use a viscuos coupler from a syncro setup, in line on the same layout, you'd have a Syncro.

[oasis]

The Vanagon syncro is very persnicketty and expensive. It is easier to find a working Vanagon with a non-working syncro than the other way around. On top of that, a Vanagon syncro weighs 330 pounds.

Oh, yes, they are cool. I drove a bunch before buying a standard Vanagon, and then a bunch more when it was time to sell Vanagon. I ended up getting a EuroVan Westy the second time around instead.

Perhaps, a Quantum syncro system would be better. They are identical to Audi's Quattro. Maybe that can be adapted more easily. I don't know. I am not a mechanic.

If it could work, it may be more reliable and less heavy than the Ferguson viscuos system Vanagon's had.

Originally Posted by oasis

Perhaps, a Quantum syncro system would be better. They are identical to Audi's Quattro. Maybe that can be adapted more easily.

The Quantum/Passat/Fox/Audi transmission have the R&P on the wrong side and since it's a one sided case cover there is no way to flip it, so you'd have a Bug with several reverse gears.

[SuperRSi]

But what a great escape vehicle if trapped in a narrow alley...

[oasis]

Originally Posted by oasis

Perhaps, a Quantum syncro system would be better.

Originally Posted by Superman

The Quantum/Passat/Fox/Audi transmission have the R&P on the wrong side and since it's a one sided case cover there is no way to flip it, so you'd have a Bug with several reverse gears.

Perhaps not.

[Ziptar]

Originally Posted by Shadowbug

ther e was a fellow around one of the forums who modified a bus box, he had a new main shaft macined up so it extended out the front of the case so he could drive a differential at the front.

This is the fellow.

I read a usenet post a while back by the guy that built the transmission. it used a T2 Trans that was modified.The outout nosecone was a one off casting.

You could check with This Guy and see if he ever did his syncro bug project.

I have read up on a bunch on trying this and this is what I have distilled so far.

Use a T3 Syncro Trans, custom drive shaft, shifter, and an R160 or R180 diff from a Nissan or Subaru. Not sure what to do for a transfer case, Viscous Coupler Maybe??

The T3 Syncro front diff is very large and heavy.

It would probably be eaiser to do it on a super as opposed to standard, since struts are used on FWD cars it makes that part eaiser. You could use Early Rabbit Spindles, they aren't very strong but, they would bolt up.

Maybe a Porsche Cayenne front suspension as part of Porsche Brake upgrade, I don't know if the BC for the wheels is the same as say a 944.

While the Idea of 4WD or AWD is cool no matter how you slice it it would be difficult and expensive. The diff would need to mount up to the tunnel some how. It would have to either bolt up directly or on a frame. To that end the hole front end will require some sort of Tube Frame to be built for the diff, suspension and axles.

So for all that effort, you would have to ask what the benefit is. RWD ACVWs seem to perform just as well as 4WDs in mud and sand, and with the right suspension setup hold the track as well as an AWD vehicle, you probably wouldn't gain much benefit with 4WD/AWD outside of the coolness factor.

Still though yes it would be cool...


There is always the factory option..... Yes the VW Factory option like that used on the Type 87 Kommanderswagen. of which 1 is still known to still exist in the VW Museum.



It is possible replicate that though, all you need is the drivetrain from a Type 166 Schwimmwagen. Of course here in the US that stuff is laying around everywhere.... NOT!

14,000 some odd Type 166s were produced, parts and complete vehicles still exist in europe, former eastern block particularly. This guys is making a Type 87 Replica from Type 166 Running Gear but, I can't read Chzeck..

Awsome isn't it.... I just watched a pair of Type 166 front spindles go for $260 USD on ebay.de, you'd still need a bunch of other parts after that. I read that the production Type 87 was almost impossible to drive. The Type 166 drivetrain only engauges 4x4 when it's in first gear, other than that it's RWD. It was mainly there so a Schimmwagen could pulll itself out of the water when coming ashore.

Again it would be expensive, and the benefit small but cool as hell.

[GS guy]

Not quite GL, but still a pretty neat example of AWD VW power.
http://www.manxclub.com/botm-3-04/botm-3-04-3.htm

It does use the syncro trans per the description.
Jeff