[mattwilde66]

This is Syd with the other Syncro's in the family. The silver long nose is the taxi and "Adolf" is sat in the background waiting for a new engine.

Untitled by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

 

[mattwilde66]

Syd up on ramps again. Needs new front shocks as they are weeping.

Untitled by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

 

[mattwilde66]

Syd's now got some new bracketry to stop the side bars from falling down. They had suffered a bit from all the jacking up when the exhaust popped off. The stupid thing with these is how they are attached to the jacking points and make it harder for me to get under. They do look good though.

Untitled by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

 

[maximus659]

That's one thing that has put me off sidebars, making it awkward to lift.

 

[mattwilde66]

That's one thing that has put me off sidebars, making it awkward to lift.

Aye its more chew than its worth sometime. They were on when I bought the van and I was going to take them off when I was heading over to Norway but the way they were put on made them a nightmare to get off again so this is a bit of a compromise.

 

[ckjoiner]

You'd think the guys who make side bars would weld a simple flat plate on the corner of the brackets to allow a jack to sit under. Numpties! It's not that hard to do :/
Gonna have some made on my bars in a few weeks off a welder mate.

 

[mattwilde66]

A quick word of warning for you all. I just got back home after two weeks away and turned all the electrics on in my van when I noticed a strong plastic smell. Turned it all off and replaced a blown fuse and turned it back on to find smoke billowing out of the 12v socket for my cool box. Thankfully I caught it before it got worse but the whole van could have gone up in flames! It was only used for one of those cheap Aldi cool boxes. I'm not sure which bit was at fault but both are now binned and I'll be investing in better quality bits to cool my beer from now on.

Untitled by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

 

[mattwilde66]

So today when Asbjorn was checking the fluids he notice the gearbox oil was quite low. Apparently he had the same problem with his 2.5tdi Syncro. There was no apparent leak although I don't know the last time it was looked at. This is the fluids we dropped out tonight and tomorrow we're going to bung in some fresh 75W/90 synthetic. I found another thread on here which had the details and it needs 3 litres. Next job is checkin the rear diff to see how much is still in there.

Untitled by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

 

[mattwilde66]

Here the new bits that's been fitted whilst i've been back offshore:

New shocks

Untitled by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

Untitled by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

New steering arms:

Untitled by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

Untitled by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

 

[mattwilde66]

Whilst it was up on the ramps I thought I'd take some more pics of the work we'd already done.

The exhaust that's been fixed for the journey back to blighty:
Untitled by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

Untitled by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

Untitled by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

The Eberspacher bits fitted before we left for Norway. We modified the exhaust here so it faced back and didn't collect any crud

 

[mattwilde66]

Syd finally met the Nordlys. (Well he probably did quite a few times before I got back to Norway but they don't count). Thank god the mighty Eberspacher D2! There is no chance I could camp like this though a mild northern Norway autumn. The Frost was just forming all around me at the time.

IMGP1302 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

 

[mattwilde66]

Here's a few more shots from the way back down so far:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zaSkebs8ftF4.kRX3sTVDFkKA

IMGP0376 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0394 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0400 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0404 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0430 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0471 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0449-Edit by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

The Perfect Road by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0495 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0523 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0573 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0665 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0601 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0719 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0756 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0801 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

Sunset from Kålitinden over Handnesøya by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0816 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP0880 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP1076 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP1089 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

De Syv Søstre (Seven Sisters) by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP1150 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP1228 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMG_0761 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMG_0710 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMG_0539 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP1240 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

IMGP1308 by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

 

[syd]

I've loved every minute of itLOL:

 

[hugabug]

wow love the pics T: looked like a cracking holl A:

 

[mattwilde66]

I've loved every minute of itLOL:

You best be on your best behaviour the rest of the way home T:

 

[syd]

You best be on your best behaviour the rest of the way home T:

Promise i'll be good DadRasp:

 

[538]

Looks like an amazing trip, very jealous. I will do it one day.

 

[1943]

Is that a good ole telescopic ladder you have there in the last picture? Looks like a good plan. I've been climbing up the spare wheel carrier for years not wanting a permanent ladder on the back but one of those serves many purposes.

Oh and great pics and trip.

 

[mattwilde66]

Aye its well worth doing if you get the chance. Yes thats a telescopic ladder. I'm 6'6" and tried to pretend I didn't need one but there was no chance I could pack the roof box properly without it or get anything back out. I'd seen them on special offer in Maplins but they had all gone but I found them cheap on Amazon for just over £40. It was perfect and you can also strap a solar shower to it which came in handy for the days we were in the wilds.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003MWX5UK/ref=pe_385721_37038051_TE_3p_dp_1

 

[mattwilde66]

Just worked out we did a little over 4000 miles there and back

Untitled by Matt Wilde, on Flickr

Untitled by Matt Wilde, on Flickr