Electric VW Syncro build 

As an alternative 4x4 camper, I love the Mitsubishi Delica, it’s my dream to one day convert mine to electric, so if you need a test bed….. 😁

It's a VW Type 2 Syncro; T3, ie 3rd generation which is usual German nomenclature; only known as a T25 in the UK as the chassis code for vans/buses etc is 25X in VW terminology (pickups are 24X, the X changes according to body variant; so 1 for van, 3 for Kombi, 5 for Caravelle LHD, 2 van, 4 Kombi and 6 Caravelle RHD, pickups are 245 LHD 246 RHD and double cans 247 LHD and 248 RHD)

Seriously impressive to see the intermediate stages of a conversion - really shows the complexities and where all the work goes. One-off custom engineering can easily cost 100-1000x “mass produced”, which the layman doesn’t always appreciate. It’s fantastic that you’re able to create tools, jigs and kits for your more common conversions, and let us in on so much of it.

Very good to see the "In Progress" vehicles, as it shows the complexities of a complete change over, and the amount of wiring and Cooling gear to make it happen.

I've got a 94 hiace 4wd camper and if the engine ever goes pop this would seriously get my interest! Top work guys.

I cannot wait to see the finished article. I has an 85 T25 2WD and that was awesome fun.

And this is why buying a nice new EV is much more affordable. Still nothing better than seeing beautiful classic vehicles get a new life in the modern world

As far as I know, T25 was the project title at Volkswagen while developing it. For some reason T25 is the most common name in the UK, on the US market this Van is known as Vanagon and in Germany, it is the T3.

Great deep dive into the build and specks. Can't wait to see when it runs.

Great video, really informative. I might be a bit biased though being a T3 owner as well. Can't wait to see more of this build

Thanks for showing us some of what you have to sort out! Great job! Thanks Richard. 🙂👍

Good heavens! The mind- boggling complexity! These vehicles are excellent, and I really enjoy learning about them here.

Toyota LandCruiser 70Series troop carrier has always been an incredible overland car.

I've actually been dreaming about this exact mod for forever. I can't believe someone actually did it

Nothing more satisfying than wiring all done in heat shrink tubing with a connector where the wire won't ever come out

Outstanding project! I was wondering while riding the chair lift yesterday if you had done a syncro conversion and gratefully surprised to find this video at the top of my RU-vid feed when I opened the APP last night (should I be concerned? 🙄). Can’t wait for the update and drive impressions (including pavement and off road trials) as soon as this masterful project is complete. I am the proud & dedicated owner of an ‘87 T3 syncro w/490,000 miles and a storied history of overlanding & #vanlife as well as a Rivian R1T. The syncro, le elephant, has been my daily since January ‘19. It is the most capable and practical AWD vehicle I have owned and I have had many (mostly Jeeps). This past year I replaced it’s Tiico motor (a poor choice by the previous owner) with a stock 2.1 WTB and did a complete restoration including upgrades of the front differential and transaxle. I’m hopeful this is its last ICE power plant and it will receive an electric motor w/a battery pack sufficient to deliver 400miles of range at a reasonable price point in 5-7years. I know that hinges on improved battery technology and improved mining practices (fortunately the brightest minds are working diligently on this campaign). THANK YOU again for sharing the inner workings of your shop!

Electric Pinzgauer! Do it! You guys do such amazing work!

Amazing job! As i said earlier, one day would love to see the ins and outs of how you build and designs the battery boxes, and of course with grommets etc. Really great to see how much work the wiring for all the different parts are……Thnx

This would be my dream set up. Love the work guys.

Wow. I have been driving Westfalias since 1986, and my 1990 Syncro will, no doubt, someday be converted to electric. Hope there is a completion/drive test video follow-up!!🙏

Mercedes benz 1980s boxy 207D van with some Unimog portal axles and Tesla motor would probably make for a very fun overland camper :)

Fossile fuel will be used to charge it. ... This is a magic build I love it ...

Love the details and little insights into the tech!

A Unimog is perfect for you as there will be a variant to suit your wildest dreams!

Nice overview of the scope of a conversion, which might be surprising to a lot of people.

Great tube, love seeing the builds. Thank you.

You guys do such amazing conversions! 👍

Great explanation of systems build and integration. Looking forward to seen the next level of completion and ultimately the 1st road test of the completed project. I'd be interested in a converted Uni-mog,

I’ve a 1974 Pinzgauer 710, would love to make it electric. They are so much fun. I’m slowly converting it into an overland camper to drive the silk roads. There’s a couple of electric converted 710s on RU-vid.

Hi Richard, you have praised the superior quality of the syncro drive train. I don’t know anything about 4wd, but I was kind of hoping that you started of with 2wd adding an electric motor to each axle reaching the same result. So why the one is preferential over the other would be very interesting to know. That’s because I have a special rare T3 2wd. It has 2sliding Doors 😊

Thank you so much for this video, good to see the guts of the build and as you say, not just the finished product, brilliant, thank you. For me a off road camper would be an ex-army 101 Land Rover Command vehicle with a EV conversion my dream vehicle.

WOW, so so so COOL. Damn I got more excited than I should.

Another brilliant informative video, I like the idea of getting 240v AC from the DC battery, this would be useful in any EV, so good luck getting that sorted.

Can't wait to see it out and about on the tracks now!

Love to see/hear how she handles the Egypt journey!✌😎

Well done, curious about the next episode!

Thanks for An awesome walkthrough. My choice for a conversation candidate would be a Volvo Valp. I seems like the centre engine layout would lend itself to a well balanced weight distribution. Thanks for letting us into you garage, thoroughly appreciated.

Love the longer format in depth looks at ongoing projects 👍 The motors with integrated inverters look like they will be a game changer for packaging constraints , Looking forward to seeing more creative builds using these . Also I find myself scanning the background of recent videos trying to get a glimpse of the Tesla powered race car .👀 the chassis off to the right, at the end ??

i love also the long format. keep up the content

You do a really great work. I would love to do projects like this in germany

Probably the only way to have made this thing more awesome would be to have pulled out the underbody stuff and put it on a unimog chassis-then convert the unimog drivetrain. Keep up the great work!

I lived in my kombi for ten years as I went round Australia 8 times as a folksinger. Not many places I could not get to, but 4wd would have been phenomenal!

Ok that was amazing!!!!! Wow ! I knew you guys had some skills as one of the original and best EV conversion garage in the world - but that was amazing. Congrats on building a team that can achieve that kind of complex execution. 10/10... where's the patreon ? I drove a T3 for ten years and have daily dreams of converting one - think I will leave out the electric hob thou!! Thanks ECC that was the episode I've been waiting for!

HA! I love it. Something I've asked for...and here it is!!! Yes! Thank You.

Overlander 4x4 camper - Landrover Dormobile was the thing to have back in the day, been around since the early 1960's I used to have one its basic but does the job.

This is an incredible conversion! Would love to take this on an adventure so badly :D

that synchro is a dream machine

My dream build!

This is a great conversion. hats off. But there is a big dilemma, electrics are the biggest nightmare in off grid and off roading. To see this complex wiring makes me nervous. Now I have to say that for serious off road trips with conventionel systems you need some mechanic skills, serious electrician skills are now involved. I would not travel without a thorough knowledge of the system. love your work 👌🏻

(1) I think you might land up with heated front seats as standard with having to cool off the electrics underneath them. (2) I am glad I do not have to foot the bill - most interesting stuff that one can do provided you can afford it. (3) Looks like a lot of fun - enjoy.

Praying for you take it easy

Great video and amazing conversion! I am looking forward to see a video about the end result. Somewhere in the future when prices of the batteries have dropped a lot, I would love to convert my VW T3 high top to electric as well.

The charging outlet spot is not so convenient when you want to install a bike rack or something similar on the rear reciever hitch and recharge your van. Its an amazing conversion! I’m looking forward seeing it being finished!!

Lovely quality van. I owned a petrol Syncro van which Devon modified to carry the four children, with two removable (if you were fit enough) bench seats with table and a rear fixed bench seat. Another vehicle I wish I’d not sold.

So sad i can't have this in France... It's Amazing, you're genius. Cheers

Great content, amazing project!

What a nice project!!! 😎💪

My Friday is made ❤️

Thanks Richard, that was a very informative and interesting video!!!

17:10 - Depends on the time of year. Historically, Cairo's average daily high is 12°C or lower roughly October to March, and the average daily low in midwinter is below freezing, so you might need heating off-roading in those conditions, if only to be able to defog the front windscreen. Fantastic video and conversion.

I've worked in several countries in Africa and the main problems I had was a reliable electric supply I would strongly recommend a large folding solar array on the roof for charging and if need be pull a small trailer

4x4 VW Crafter/MB Sprinter for an overland Ecamper base, the tallest model so you could fill the floor with batteries and still be able to stand straight 🙂

An excellent video. I’d love to get my T25 converted one day :)

Nice work.

Complicated engineering.... Respect 👍

I reckon a Chevy Astro 4x4 would make an awesome overlander camper. Have one in my garden fort you!!!

With all the things available for synchro to improve off-road ability this is going to be an awesome build. Think this will provide some fun testing in those Welsh hills.

still waiting for a video focusing on how you implement CCS charging in your conversions

Great video mate and still lots of things to do on it yet

Love your work 👍

The one I’ve been waiting for :)

Hat off to you and your team for the amount of design work and fabrication that is going into in this project, this seems akin to aviation or F1 design and development. Guess the KIS strategy is something of struggle with the complexities involved. I'm sure viewers will be interested to see a follow up when the vehicle has been exposed to its adventures, especially in third world environments, what works well what doesn't, and the influence on your future design of adventure off-roaders and maybe more sedentary camper vans. Very best of success with your business.

Wow!! My head is spinning, Rocket Man!!

Great video Richard giving an indepth explanation of the shear amount of work required to adapt all the vehicle systems, but ending up with the same familiar interfaces on the dash and the controls. The synchro is a rare beast, and thankfully due to VW build quality, probably doesn’t need too much body restoration. This will be an amazing vehicle when it is completed. I am not too sure about charge point availability in Egypt and en route though🤔

Perfect combination of all electric.

Great video, content was bang'on, thanks.

This is my abbsolute dream build. I currently have a bright orange 1982 T25 camper with a 220 hp EJ20 Subaru motor fitted but man i hate servicing it and having to deal with an aircooled to watercooled van. I also have had an Iveco Daily 4x4 camper and a LR 101 4x4 camper

It was called T3 in Germany, T25 only in GB and Vanagon in the US. Same car. The CCS2 connector is angled..could interfere with plate or bumper.

Love your work I watch all your épisodes, Yes t3 are great and t25 also 👏, mine is a 2 wD and I love it,I am a big enthusiast of ev I drive a leaf and would love to have my t3 to be converted in a much simpler low tech, no ac no induction but surely the cost must still be prohibitive.

Fascinating video to see the complexity involved to get all of the systems right. The torque 4x4 system should make this ultra useable off-road. If the owner is going to deepest darkest Egypt he may need to find space for sand tracks, which begs the question is their software to accommodate different driving modes i.e. for driving in soft sand. The owner looks like getting a special car back to go touring in. It may be interesting to see an electric converstion of a Hummer H2 or H3, with a roof tent, not only because it is so rugged and could handle the power but because I think you could get a big battery-pack onboard in addition to the point that as a petrol engined car it makes zero sense and a donor vehicle would consequently be less expensive to source. I would imagine that a hi-torque electric powered motor would transform its off-road abilities.

No way best idea yet class will show everyone I know 😉

Awesome work.

What about a Tourist Coach ? There is certainly enough room for Batteries and Motors, enough roof space for some solar panels, enough space inside for your designer kitchen, AND you could probably get a decent bed in there as well !

another brilliant video 😉

If you do a Pinz go straight for a 6x6 Richard, but you'll want an extending roof for standing room. There will be room under the platform for your battery boxes as the standard has under-slung fuel tank and battery box. The later diesel provides room for a good sized AC motor. Standard gear train and hub reduction gears are more than man enough for a big EV motor. Diff locks are hydraulically operated so no leccy complications, all drive shafts fully enclosed too.

Use the interior hammock loop hooks (see below/above) to hang a projector screen and have a camping cinema on the go.

Well done, another excellent video, informative and well put together, thanks - as for off road electric camper conversions what about a Volvo C303 ? or even the C304 6x6 ! I would like to see one of those.

Why not go with a heat-pump heating system since you're fitting A/C already? It gets cold in the desert at night and there'd be an efficiency gain that I'd imagine would be important in a vehicle that might go places where charging points are harder to come by.

If I had an electric quad bike with a trailer full of solar panels, a tarp and a hammock, I'd be happy enough with that! Baby steps 😂

Great conversion! I still keep imagining you doing a Chevette HS rally car, and inviting Jimmy McRae to come and drive it. 😁

Brilliant....great job. Can I suggest an electric conversion of VW T5.....there are so many of them about...and they are great vehicles...I've owned a 4x4 version for 11 years and used it for everything....camping, building, sailing...living in the Alps deep snow...it's brilliant... a huge candidate for an electric version, so many people have used them as campers...gotta be a good market surely... I'd for for a dual motor 4we to reduce the use of existing drivetrain....clutches, flywheel, gearbox, diffs etc

Lol. Watching the show in my country on discovery. Getting the prompt from youtube if I like videos as this.. Big brother watching me but love the show😎👍🏻👍🏻

Very interesting and enlightning video. Using ex-military vehicles seems the best bet for 'expanding' from this VW project. If you use a 4x4 Bedford (other makes are available, Mercedes Unimog for example) MK, 4 tonner, there would be lots of places to fit batteries and motors, and with a decent roof lots of solar panels... and so on. Electrifying one of those would make it a hundred percent better than the smelly diesel version. They are a bit wide, for those roads where you are, but I'm sure if you did one of those conversions, someone would snap it up. Imagine something like that with 3 to 400 miles range.

Hrm, i just saw a document from NXP: Designing an induction cooker using the S08PT family With their design, they drive the LC resonator for the magnetic coil with about 300V DC, which is what you get when you rectify 230V AC. They also need 18V for the fan, and 5V for the usual electronics. So actually, a direct 400V connection for the LC resonator of an induction hob would an amazingly efficient solution. Someone should go and design induction hobs which can be directly connected to 300+V EV traction batteries, and get them certified.

One place that is a common source of water leaking in is the windshield. Any electronics immediately under the corners in the dash area must be protected from internal dripping.

Thank you for the video. Very interesting to see all the details of the conversion work. It would be great if you (also) show more of that kind. PS. If it has to be off-road, how about a electric converted Unimog camper?

The double voltage conversion of up to 2.4 kW for the induction cooker alone is certainly undesirable - the direct HV DC to AC inverter will be a significant improvement. Since every production hybrid and EV with an AC outlet already does this (although usually at lower power), the direct conversion should certainly be feasible.

Pinzgauer's are ideal for EV conversion. The drivers in the NZ Army Pinzgauers have to wear hearing protection because of the engine noise. A 6x6 vehicle with maybe a pop-top would give you some real room to spread out as well. Take care and keep up the good work. Peter W Canberra.

Finally the T3 Syncro! I'm restoring mine at the moment, but unfortunately still with the ICE in it. Maybe in the future....

thank you.