The later front suspension and brakes will bolt right up to an 82
chassis.
That is a simple way to go and I have done it as a whole unit.

The tranny conversions get complicated so for an 82 diesel your basic
options are the diesel 4 speed or use an aircooled 4 speed for lower
rpms at a given road speed. The 86 tranny won't fit.

If you can find an 83 diesel Westy with the factory 5 speed that would
be ideal. Plus those have the later style cooling system and heater.

Mark

Sam Payne wrote:
>
...
>     Along these lines, are the larger front brakes and better suspension
> parts from 86-91 Vanagons an easy, straightforward bolt-in replacement on
> the diesels? I don't mind no AC or PS, the cooling system I could play
> with and the transmision I can pray with, but the brakes on the '86 are
> barely big enough. Smaller yet does concern me.
>        Thanks again for the help.
>                                               Sam Payne