You're right of course... I should have looked closer before asking. I see they are
completely different. For those who have both '80-84 and '85up vans, is it possible to
make an early style door function as well as the later style? By function, I mean, slide
nicely, and close fairly easily? I know it sounds trivial, but if the early style door is
simply that inferior, this might be a deciding factor on whether we keep this van. The
primary use is camping, where the sliding door see heavy use, and we have become
accustomed to the '88 which operates quite nicely, and can be closed by young
children. I just want to know if an early style door in good repair can work as well...

Thanks...

On 30 Dec 2004 at 12:08, Mike Collum <collum@verizon.net> wrote:

> The sliding door for '85~'91 is a different size from the '80~'84 as well as
> having completely different latching mechanisms.  They are not
> interchangeable.
>
> Mike
> '84 GL 7 pass
> '85 GL Westy
>
>
> >I understand several changes were made in the sliding door and
> > mechanism for the '85 model year, and the later style is much easier to
> > operate. Has anyone tried retrofitting a late style door on an '80-84 van?
> > Is
> > it just the hardware that is different, or the entire door? (I know the
> > part
> > where the outer handle attached is different, but am not sure what else
> > might be.)
> > My '82 door is fairly rough, so if I'm going to look for a replacement,
> > I'd like
> > to consider an upgrade if possible...
> >
> > --
> > Shawn Wright
> > I.T. Manager
> > Shawnigan Lake School
>
>
>

--
Shawn Wright
I.T. Manager
Shawnigan Lake School