Volkswagen marketed the Westfalia camper variant throughout the T3 production, with features including a raised roof (either pop-up or fixed), refrigerator, sink, and stove.

Production of the Syncro four-wheel drive model began in late 1984, with its official debut taking place at the Brussels Commercial Vehicle Show in January 1985.

[13] The original Syncros came with the 78 PS (57 kW) 1.9 L petrol Wasserboxer and a "4+G" gearbox, with G being a low gear for offroad use (Gelände in German).

Alloy wheels and larger fiberglass bumpers with trim along the rocker panels were optional (standard on Hannover and Wolfsburg Edition vans).

Some 1979 through 1981 models received 6 welded-in metal slats covering the engine ventilation passages behind the rear windows.

With the engine and transaxle mounted very low in the back, the T3 had much larger disc brakes in the front, and drums in the rear.

[14] An overhead-cam design was mooted but rejected as a willingness to rev was considered to be of less importance than low-end flexibility and low cost.

[15] The U.S version 1.9-litre and up water-cooled petrol engines experienced significant and repeated problems with cylinder head surface erosion and coolant leaks.

2.1 L engines suffered the same, mostly due to not having the antifreeze changed often enough, and the use of phosphated coolant, which caused corrosion in the cooling system.

T2 transporters or 'bay window' vans, produced in Brazil until 2013, were switched to inline-four-cylinder water-cooled engines and a front-mounted radiator in 2005.

A Camper version known as the "Campmobile" with integrated kitchen, complete with refrigerator (which ran on propane, 110 V or 12 V), a two-burner stove, and stainless steel sink with onboard water supply.

Under the bench seat, which folded down to make full-size bed, was a storage compartment and a rear heater.

Syncro models were manufactured in limited numbers from 1984 through 1992, with the four-wheel-drive system added by Steyr-Daimler-Puch Works in Graz, Austria, with a short wheelbase and 48/52 front/rear weight distribution.

Internal changes include a fully padded dashboard featuring a smaller glove box and updated vacuum-powered ventilation controls operated by round knobs rather than slide levers, while the fuse box was also relocated to the right-hand side of the steering column.

There were also 4 or 5 factory-built 5 cylinder 2.5i Syncros, with K-Jetronic fuel injection, 16" rear trailing arms and brakes and 15" wheels.

The five-cylinder T3s came out initially with a 2.5-litre K-Jetronic fuel-injected engine in 1991, but this was replaced in March 1995 with a 2.6-litre with an improved fuel injection system and two styles of 15" alloy wheels as standard (Rhein or Starburst) along with larger ventilated front disc brakes.

A slightly lower spec 2.3-litre five-cylinder fuel-injected model was introduced four months after the 2.6-litre, but was equipped with a 4-speed transmission and modified wrap-around steel bumpers.

The last T3 off the production line in Uitenhage on Friday 16 June 2002 was a gold-coloured Microbus 2.6i which Volkswagen SA retained for their AutoPavilion, Place of Cars and Legends, which first opened its doors in 2004.

The vehicle was later written off in a transporter roll-over accident in November 2006, after returning from a display in Cape Town.

[17] In 1994, the Swedish insurance company, Folksam tested a Vanagon T3 in a head-on collision with a Volvo 700 series wagon (estate).

The written results stated, "The Volkswagen Transporter type 2 affords excellent passenger safety".

Regarding the Vanagon, the report states "It would be possible to fully repair the VW type 2 at reasonable cost".

[18][19] Crash tests were also conducted using US market vehicles by Californian firms Calspan and NTS on behalf of the NHTSA.

While all three tests showed minor passenger compartment intrusion, the resultant HIC for the driver of the Vanagon ranged between 1313 and 1905.

[18][19] In an rollover test of "a fully equipped VW (Type 2 T3) Westfalia customized camping vehicle" traveling 'sideways' at a speed of 31 mph (50 km/h) on a specially designed 'sled' that 'launched' the vehicle causing two complete rollovers, the report found that "the roof remained fully intact and the doors remained closed".

"[18][19] These vans were made with a "forward deformation zone" consisting of four "side members" below and in front of the passenger compartment making a four-pronged forked frame with a "deformation element" which is mounted in front of this making it extremely effective at absorbing impact.

The front cab has extensive protection by means of four vertical struts that connect an impact-absorbing box section cross-member.

The van was based on the luxurious Carat model, and came equipped with the 231 PS (170 kW) 3.2 litre Carrera engine.

[25] The WBX6 was originally only available with a three-speed automatic transmission incorporating many Audi 100 parts to accommodate the higher power and torque.

Many owners have had the VW engines replaced in pursuit of improved power and reliability,[27][28] particularly the Wasserboxer due to phosphated coolant.