Hey! Yes it was the VW Engine Company. Service and team their are really exceptional. Just finished up my annual check up with them :-)

Cool Thanks I’ll mention you when I contact them.. is your engine carb or fuel injection? How many miles have you put on the new engine so far?

@@g-sailing4427 mine is carb only as I upgraded to a 2.1 from a 1.9…and my carb already runs so well I just transferred it. 20,000

@@JackMacsound thanks!

Thank you! Honestly you can’t go wrong. I was in the north for this trip but I just returned from a 2.5 week bikepacking trip in Abruzzo and again it blew me away 🎉

Thanks buddy, really appreciate the kind words! Haha the van is pretty cool when it’s working 😂

Thanks so much!

Thank you! Try to post little vlogs when I can. The Syncro is quite long geared which can be tricky as first gear would be too much but second sort of runs away so it's not ideal. However, without engine braking the brakes would not be suffice, they get super hot as it is. It's no joke if they really go. I had that in Austria due to my old system being in poor condition and it was one of the most scary experiences of my life.

I totally agree. Often better the devil you know! I also totally agree on 90s onwards....that's for sure the sweet spot. My parents have a 90s Passat closing in on 400,000 miles and I can't remember it ever breaking down!

Hey! Yes, the van is great for travel, when it's working haha. Been building it over the last decade so slowly getting it where I want it :-)

Thanks so much. Trying to be better at filming trips but always a balance around work and cramming activities haha. Appreciate the kind words!

Thanks so much! :-)

Yes, and the branding is even similar! I also enjoy a Surly beer when I can get them!

Thanks buddy! I'm always making little vlogs but not always easy to put them together around work. Appreciate the kind words! :-)

Hey, this was my old rack, which was made up of two Thule Hightop racks, which were great. They come up for sale used from time to time. Best, Jack

Thanks Neil I really appreciate the kind words :-)

Haha I'm fortunate to have some very talented artistic/techy friends to help me with all that stuff. It's nice to make at least one aspect of my video professional! :-) Thank you!

Haha I'm going to say yes. That way it's not a direct reflection of my everyday mental state ha!

@@JackMac were you guys tired?

I'm always tired. But on this occasion we were doing stupid impressions from LOTR ha @@itrstt66

@@JackMac i am not that into lotr to understand it, and it sure was really funny

Thanks for always supporting me Michael, you're the best! Truly. Well running really is a case of getting over the hump. Always brutal for a week or two then your body finds its rhythm. Miss you too! Really hope we cross paths again over the next few months. I'll be back in the UK in October <3

Hey! Wow thanks so much. I just need to perm my hair and I'll be set haha.

Thanks buddy, appreciate the kind words!

Italy is just dreamy!!! :-)

Thanks buddy. Always a challenge to make videos around working two jobs but trying to be better at posting regularly :-). Thanks for the support!

Thanks buddy! I like to do a new country each year but Italy is hard to beat and is calling me back :-). Miss you guys! <3

Thank you. You really did everything possible to make my time in Italy special and I'm so grateful. <3

Thanks for the kind words. Trying to be better at uploading but always tricky working 2 full time jobs haha. I do have another episode going live this weekend :-). Thanks for the support!

I was both shocked and deeply saddened to hear about Vento. He seemed so happy and perky when I last saw him. You gave him the very best life (there are some nice videos of him still to come <3 ). Miss you buddy!

Thanks buddy!!! I’m guessing you referring to the my tuna pasta 😂. Jokes aside yes the food was unreal. I was very lucky to be a guest. ❤

Haha thanks Simon. I work two full-time jobs so I just try to film fun silly stuff whenever I get a moment. Im back in Lofoten, but I think we missed each other. Next time! :-)

@@JackMac I know the feeling. Right now we combine full time jobs with renovating a house, which is why I’m slower than ever editing these videos. Hitting the road again in a few weeks, if you’re still around I’ll keep an eye out🚎☺️

@@SimonBraeck Yes it's a very hard balance. It feels that to really earn a living wage from platforms like this you need to be completely committed with no distractions....90 hour weeks don't work with filming and editing lol. Exciting news on the house...congratulations! I'm here until October (I'll be heading south during that month ) :-)

Haha I get so self conscious about narration. I’ll do my best to provide a full blown David Attenborough next time 😂😅. Thanks for the support!

Thanks bud! I'm running 15-inch wheels so brake options are a little limited. I'm running slightly better-ventilated discs and and better pads up front but other than that I've not made any major changes (although I've been considering a rear disc conversion). I will say that the difference after Matteos work was night and day. A stock braking system is a lot better than people realize but it does require a complete overhaul at some point....which is where I got caught out. I just got off the road from Slovenia a month or so back and some of the rural descents there were pretty hair raising and my van was the heaviest its ever been due to transporting some extra equipment and it had very little issues ensuring I was in a low gear and took my time. I guess what I'm saying is get your existing system tip top before spending out a tonne of the conversion kits. That being said....obviously it has its limitations :-)

@@JackMac thanks for you description! I'm in the middle of a big overhaul of my syncro and I've really been thinking about getting the front discs upgrade.(I have a brake booster from a E30, and braided lines)but I really don't want any problems with hot brakes when going down steep long roads ( I intend to use the car for skiing). 😁 What calibers and disc did you use? I really don't wanna have bigger wheels than 15".

@@FH.Adventures with the booster from the E30, braided lines, and a complete refresh of the stock system you should be absolutely fine. Bare in mind, my van is big and heavy (2,380kg)…well not compared to some high tops but it’s still considerable. I have done some of the gnarliest descents in Europe…all the biggest famous passes, with a fully loaded van. Descents that have big warning signs above them saying you MUST drop into a low gear. Before the overhaul I did have issues but now it’s very rare they fade….hot yes…but not dangerous. Still have to be mindful because they’re old brakes and a heavy van but you should be fine. I also don’t want 16” wheels at all, so this is why I’ve made the best of the system and I’ve been very pleased. Check out black diamond discs & pads. They’re all bolt on. Also. Biggest upgrade you can make it keeping your van light. That goes across all things…braking, performance, handling, etc ☺️

@@JackMac aaarh I see! Sounds like a great idea. I really do want to keep the weight down, but you always end up adding some kgs. Thank you for your replys man, I know what to do now 🤙🏼

Keep up the great work! And remember Volkswagen’s are the perfect package for such travel and just accept they require regular (mechanical) love to be happy. Love the video work and still photography ❤ Cheers from the Pacific Northwest

Haha you know the struggle 🤣

Thanks so much buddy. You know better than most it’s very tricky doing KZbin around full time work. I always set out with the notion that I’m going to focus on making something but always ends up off the cuff around work haha. Glad you enjoyed it ❤️. Hope that Delica engine is behaving finally….I know the pain!

@@JackMac engine is still leaking in many places, we will be in debt 2 to 5 years after this ordeal is over. We are happy for the lessons learned and the experiences, but we still don't know how to find a trustworthy mechanic. We have a plan and are hopeful. The engine will have quite a story in the end. Looking forward to seeing more of your adventures.

@@Yogaslackers I’m sorry to hear this as someone who has shared the same journey. If it’s any help I just remind myself that an engine however awful is still nothing like committing to a mortgage. A few years and perhaps some extra seasonal work and that will be a distant memory. As always anything I can help with in regards to parts don’t hesitate to message me. The van is expensive but long term it saves me money and the experiences are worth it tenfold. It’s hard to have that perspective in the chaos, but long term it’ll all be worth it ❤️

Thank you! He's one of the most talented T3 mechanics I've ever met. It's like watching an artist paint when he's working on the van. He's also creating some very unique engine mods for the WBX, which is under wraps but very cool.

Haha just in time for another mediocre vid! Thanks for the kind words buddy!

Thanks buddy. KZbin is a difficult one for me as I work full time remote and so filming is always sort of off the cuff and I’m never happy with what I’ve got haha. But I’m going to try and be more organised. There’s a few cool spots in later episodes and a lot of VWs ha 😂. Appreciate the kind words!

@@JackMac Yeah totally get it man, you're a big inspo! Will go on another roadtrip this summer with my little Daihatsu Cuore through Norway is there a place where you find gravel roads or do you just stumble upon them?

@@N8forest Ah that will be amazing. Norway is dreamy. Gravel roads can be found in Norway but you definitely have to do your research to make sure you're allowed with a vehicle. Check out Kasper Hoglund on here for info on that, he's always off exploring them in a Discovery.

@@JackMac thanks man! Yeah will actually move so Stavanger area for two years so will see plenty of Norway for sure!

@@N8forest That's awesome check out DID Expeditions on Insta and FB they're based in that area and run a lot of community overlanding events! :-)

Interesting! I just stick to the speed limits tbh so don’t really have an opinion. I was just impressed by how fast they can travel on such slippery roads with studded tires and the like ☺️