> do the earlier model vanagons (1980 - 1985) have a slightly bigger
steering
> wheel? every one i've seen looks like it has a bigger steering wheel than
my
> '86. maybe i'm tripping.

Vanagons with manual steering have larger steering wheels.

Mike
Houlton, Maine
'84 GL 7 pass, manual steering
'85 GL Westy, power steering