I think 84 was the year that Vanagons came out with the improved floating
front calipers.
Changing over to these requires changing the entire spindle assembly but you
can use your old upper and lower control arm assemblies.
I don't know if the later assemblies are 'better' or just a later design.
The 80-91 use the same booster assembly and the same master cylinder so any
improvement must be in the calipers themselves.
The 91 Vanagons use the same rear brakes and emergency brake system.
You might find some high dollar Brembo brake system upgrades through list
vendors.
http://www.coximport.com/brembo/aftermarket.html
Brembo warns that a Front Only or Rear Only upgrade makes many vehicles
unsafe.
Best to stick with stock brakes that are always kept in excellent condition.
(My opinion)

Stan Wilder

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Mark Fitzsimons
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2004 10:45 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: early vanagon brake upgrades

Does anyone have a specific shopping list of the "later" parts necesary to
upgrade an early (1982) vanagon's parking brake and front disk assemblies?

What model year or month did the improvements to both systems first appear
in?

(sorry, but I've tried the archives and all my searches result in a request
to reload the page)

thanks,

mark