1987 Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro 5-Speed

This 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro was acquired by the seller in 2018 and subsequently underwent a mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment that included refinishing the van in green, reupholstering the cabin, overhauling drivetrain components, and replacing the engine as well as braking and suspension components. The van is powered by a Subaru 2.5-liter flat-four mated to a five-speed manual transaxle, a locking rear differential, and Syncro all-wheel drive. Equipment includes aftermarket bumpers and auxiliary lighting, 16″ alloy wheels, a sunroof, aftermarket suspension components, a rotating jump seat, a rear lay-flat bench, and front-seat heating elements. This Vanagon Syncro is now offered with service records, spare parts, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Washington State title in the seller’s name. The van is said to have been partially disassembled before it was refinished in green during the refurbishment. Equipment includes powder-coated Rocky Mountain Westy metal bumpers with rock lights, a sliding sunroof, a sliding rear door, a South African-style grille with Hella halogen lights, a receiver hitch, and auxiliary LED lighting. The sunroof mechanicals were refurbished and rust repairs were made during the refinishing. A replacement windshield was installed during the refurbishment. The seller states the roof-mounted LED light bar needs to be wired to the battery. Alloy 16″ wheels sourced from a Mercedes-Benz CLK have been powder-coated to match the bumpers and are mounted with 215/65 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02 tires. A suspension overhaul is said to have been completed under current ownership, which included fitting Powerflex suspension bushings, GoWesty springs, Old Man Emu Nitrocharger rear shocks, Trail Master front shocks, and a T3 Technique sway bar and end links. The cab features front captain’s chairs and rear seating trimmed in green and teal vinyl with color-coordinated tartan inserts that carry onto the door cards and rear panels. The seats received replacement cushions during the refurbishment, and other equipment includes a dash-mounted USB port and level, a Big Shot Shifter, a powered cooler, a reversing camera, a GoWesty auxiliary battery under the driver’s seat, front-seat heating elements, and power-operated windows with replacement regulators, motors, and lock actuators. Sound-deadening material was applied to the roof and interior panels, and the headliner, carpeting, flooring, and window regulators and seals were replaced during the refurbishment. The heater box has been fitted with a replacement motor and core. The seller states the reversing camera, the power panel beneath the rear seat, and the front-seat heating elements need to be wired. The three-spoke wooden steering wheel frames VDO instrumentation including a 100-mph speedometer and a tachometer. The six-digit mechanical odometer shows 280k miles, and true mileage is unknown. Approximately 90 miles have been added by the seller since the drivetrain was installed, and the seller states the speedometer functions intermittently and the temperature gauge is inoperable. The rear of the van features a rotating jump seat and a lay-flat rear bench seat trimmed in matching upholstery. A memory foam rear pad has been added with a matching cover, the rear windows have been tinted, and the window vents have been rebuilt. A storage area under the rear bench contains a fire extinguisher and a power junction box. The Subaru 2.5-liter EJ25 flat-four is said to have been overhauled and has been fitted with STi head gaskets. Power is delivered to all four wheels through a five-speed manual transaxle and a locking rear differential. The transaxle, front differential, driveshaft, and front and rear half-shafts are said to have been rebuilt during the refurbishment. Various suspension and underbody components are powder-coated. Additional photos of the underside are presented in the gallery below. The Carfax report shows no accidents or other damage and lists history in Washington State from the first entry in 1997. Filed under: vw