you got me. I have wondered myself what this handle is about. Finally
somebody put up the question :-).
If the door is only slightly open, the handle is not accessible.

        Karl.

 Derek Krueger <vanagon@DRKRU.COTSE.NET> wrote:

>I have this rear, semigingly non-functional, on my 84 Wolfsburg.  Aren't
wolfys an end of model year "option?"  If so, why would some have them and
others not?  I don't see how this handle would really help in opening the
door...

> On 5/20/02 12:27 AM, "Jeff Sibley" <Sibleyjm@AOL.COM> wrote:
>
>> In a message dated 5/19/02 8:50:35 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
>> zavlomja@EC-RED.COM writes:
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Hi amigos:
>>>
>>> I would like to know what is the purpose of the rear handle in the
>>> inside panel of the sliding door, it doesn�t move and is not to help
>>> closing the door either (unless you have spare fingers).
>>>
>>> Any ideas?
>>>
>>> Javier
>>>
>>
>> hmm interior handle, inside sliding door....i use mine to open the
>> door from the inside, sometimes i hold it also to close the door.
>> make sure your little locking device is working, maybe you handle
>> mechanisms beneatht the panel are busted.
>> jeff
>
>
>    Nope, he's talking about the extra handle at the *rear* of the door
>    on
> early Vanagons with the heavier door.  I've got one on my 82 Westy.
>
>    I'm assuming that it is intended to help pull the rear of the door
>    into
> its catch.  It seems pretty unnecessary, and wasnst on my 84 (the last
> year for the heavy door).

Karl
'81 Westy "Jenny"
Wilmington, DE
http://homepage.mac.com/karlploessl/album.html