> Does anybody know if the '86 and later Vanagons were pre-wired
for
> power mirrors, even if they didn't come with them?
> Any tricks to transplanting them if I could find a working set?

no. :(  well ..maybe. depends on if you have the power windows or
not. the wiring harnesses are the same for the power mirrors,
power windows, power door locks. that is, if you have one of
those, the wiring is already there for the other two.

there are THREE wiring harnesses that you need.  one from each
mirror to the dash, and one that spans the dash to connect the
other two.  the dash one also connects everything to the fuse box
and to the defroster switch (so the mirrors will defrost, too).
if you have to buy these harnesses, they are like $100 each!!! :(

the mirror attaches to the doors (on the outside) with THREE
screws. two of the screw holes (already threaded) are already
there ... the non-power mirrors use them. you'll have to drill
another hole for the third one. and drill a hole for the wires.
best way is to get the wire hole done, put the wires through
(more on that in a minute), then tighten down the two screws and
mark the position of the third one. then take the mirror off and
drill the hole. the third screw/bolt requires a goofy-looking nut
on the inside of the door .. it's really difficult to get your
hand up in there to start the nut, and a bit harder to tighten
it. so if you take a set of mirrors off a junkyard bus, save ALL
the little parts that you come in contact with!!
especially that little gasket that fits between the door and the
power mirror.

the wires will NOT fit through the door (that new hole) with
their plastic connectors on .. you have to unclip the connectors
and push the wires through, then put the connectors back onto the
wires after you've tightened the mirror down. the way to unclip
them is to have a large needle-thingie and from the business end
of the connector, push the needle between the plastic and the
metal connector. there's a small clip in there on the metal
connector that you can bend downward and it lets the plastic
slide off. you'll need to bend the clip back up a bit before you
put the connector back on (so the plastic will be gripped by the
metal connector).

feeding the wiring harness through the rubber sleeve between the
door and the dash isn't so bad if you'll take one end of the
sleeve loose first.

that's about all the tricks ... the rest is just dull hard work.
;) i did it on my 88 bus and i've never regretted it ... even
though i bought all new parts and it cost about $800 back then.
:(

good luck!
joel