Hi folks,

Just as a datapoint, on my 1983 Westfalia, I could NOT lock the sliding
door until it was closed.  My habit was to close the slider, then reach
through the passenger's door and press the button to lock it.  On my 1987,
the door can be locked using the inside button while it's open and then
closed.  When locked, you have to pull the door closed using the inside
handle, because the outside handle is locked.

I have had both of these doors apart at different times to repair or
lubricate stuff, and I can verify that there were some significant
differences in the locking mechanisms.

When I replaced the sliding door, earlier this year, the production date
was important to be certain that the right door was obtained.  The
breakpoint was someplace in mid-1985.  One of the recyclers I spoke to
said that the lock mountpoints and security brace were the primary
differences.

Regards,
Jon