Date:         Sat, 16 Sep 2006 20:42:45 -0700
Reply-To:     Aaron <lists@MYCOMMUNITYNET.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Aaron <lists@MYCOMMUNITYNET.NET>
Subject:      86 front end on an 11/84 westfalia.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

  Hello list.

I am wondering how many of you have "upgraded" your pre-86 van to the
86+ front end stuff. By stuff I mean what the wheels ride on and
anything else that might need to be moved. Why? Because I need new
brakes, shocks and my power steering doesn't work. It might be cheap
and hopefully not too difficult to take it from a parts car that
appears to be in much better condition and have better components as
a result of the swap. Add the fact that my PS rack is shot and I
figure it might be easy to get it all from a parts van and transplant
it to the westfalia I'm fixing thereby solving my issues. I also seem
to remember some saying the newer control arms are better for some
reason??? If it's a significant difference, perhaps it would be worth
the trouble.

I also was wondering about rear springs and shocks. My new to me
westfalia has a very saggy rear. I measured from the top of the tire
to the underbody and I have about 5". I checked out some other vans
today and most of them had significantly more. My first question is
can the rear springs be taken from the van without disconnecting the
CV's? The second question would be are springs interchangeable
between years?

Thanks!
Aaron