1986 VW Vanagon Syncro Is a No-Frills Camper With Formidable Off-Road Capabilities

People typically prefer newer vehicles for better reliability and more modern features. Still, you shouldn't underestimate older vehicles like the one I'm discussing today. Despite its age, it's still a very capable home on wheels, especially since it underwent some modifications.

Riley initially started exploring the wilderness and dabbled with mobile living in a first-gen 1999 Honda CRV. He eventually upgraded to this Vanagon, which is way more suitable for living on the road. He bought this Syncro in February 2023 and rented a garage for three months to carry out the conversion.

He chose this specific vehicle because of several reasons. First, it had only a little rust. Second, the entire underside was redone with new parts, such as bushings, axles, bearings, and more. Lastly, it had under 100,000 miles (160,934 km), which is so little considering the van is close to 40 years old.

One of the most significant changes to this unit is that its original engine, a 2.1-liter water-cooled engine generating 95 hp, was replaced with a Subaru EJ22 engine, which outputs 130 hp and 137 lb-ft. (186 Nm).

This upgrade makes the vehicle more capable both on and off-road, especially since it carries added weight. Furthermore, it's also more fuel-efficient, as the VW van can now reach about 22 MPG (almost 13 L/100km) on the highway and 17 MPG (14 L/100km) in the city.

Another useful feature of this Vanagon Syncro is that it comes with a low gear, enabling it to easily tackle off-roading. Moreover, this particular vehicle is a triple-knob Syncro, meaning it has locking front and rear differentials and a center decoupler. With the increased power from the Subaru engine, it's a fantastic option for going off-road.

I'll start by presenting the exterior features. Riley added front and rear steel bumpers for additional protection when going off the beaten path or in case someone hits the vehicle. On the roof, he mounted 400 W solar panels and a Maxxair fan.

At the rear, you'll discover a swing-away tire carrier that also holds a large backpack and a diesel canister, which feeds the diesel heater. Other notable elements include a StarLink and a WeBoost signal booster.

Let's move on inside. This 1986 Vanagon offers quite a tight space, measuring around 44 square feet (4 square meters). Riley transformed the interior all by himself and made it to fit his exact wants and needs. It's very straightforward, yet it does the job.

As soon as you step inside, you'll have the kitchen dead ahead. It's definitely one of the simplest kitchens I've ever seen in camper. It features an 8-foot (244-centimeter) long countertop, a sink with a Dometic water faucet, and a BougeRV fridge box, which is housed between the driver's and passenger's seats. What's more, Riley uses a portable stove for cooking.

The only plumbing system in this van is the one for the sink. It consists of a 7-gallon (26-liter) canister hidden in the cabinet underneath the sink. It might seem too little, but Riley says it's enough to last him for around two weeks.

Riley wanted four people to be able to sit comfortably inside the van, so he came up with a unique, simple, and practical solution. Two cabinet doors can be flipped up and used as a table. In fact, he designed a different setup for each table. One is supported by a string attached to the ceiling, while the other features a leg that holds it in position.

The space underneath the countertop is used for storage. Again, it's super simple, but it provides a bunch of room to store stuff. As a content creator, Riley has lots of equipment he needs everywhere he goes.

Behind the driver's and passenger's seats, you'll find a long bench. Inside it, Riley devised a charging station next to the electrical system, which he made himself. It looks very DIY, and the wiring is a bit chaotic, but Riley claims everything works well.

You'll notice an Anker 767 power station, which boasts a 2,048 Wh capacity, enough to power everything in this van. In fact, he used all the electricals in the van for about a week and measured the consumption with a power meter to figure out how much power he needed. Both the solar panels and the alternator can charge the battery bank.

The small couch also doubles as a bed. To transform it, Riley folds down the cushion, pulls out a platform, and lays down a 3.5-inch foam mattress. The bed is full-size, so it can fit two people, albeit it might not be super comfortable.

At the rear, Riley stores a large toolbox with everything he needs to carry out repairs. It's critical for you not only to carry tools but also to know how to repair a vehicle this old, as various components tend to break down from time to time. Typically, they're easy repairs, but you need to be prepared.

Of course, there was no space inside the van to fit a bathroom. Like many other van dwellers, Riley uses Planet Fitness and other gyms to use the bathroom and shower. Other places he can go to are gas stations, restaurants, and truck stops. In case of an emergency where he really needs to shower, he can use the sink's water faucet outside.

You're probably curious about how much this rig cost to build. The total cost is around $40,000 (€36,530), and that's including the base vehicle. In fact, the van itself is the most expensive part, as a 1986 VW Vanagon Syncro (in good condition) is priced between $20,000 and $30,000 (€18,265 and €27,398). It's a lot to pay for a camper van, especially since you can build out a large van with the same amount – check out this recent article I wrote about a camper that cost $37K all-in.

All in all, this is a cool and practical van you don't often see on or off the road. It's very simple, but it's enough for Riley to live a comfortable life on the road. Of course, he plans on making further modifications (there's always something to change or add), but this Vanagon is an excellent starting vehicle for van life, especially if you plan to go off the beaten path.