Shawn,

I'll chime in here. Owned a 82 diesel for a little while, have an 84 westy now and refuse to give up my 90 which I don't have time to work on.

There are HUGE differences between your two vans. Here are a couple that stick in my mind:
- soundproofing is good on the 88, almost non-existant on the 82. You can add it back (and do better) but why? That diesel is *loud* too.
- power steering is useful. I wish my 84 had it since it makes negotiating small spaces at low speed easy.
- interior bits are much better in the 88. This includes all the plastic bits, dash, cabinets, etc...
- engine options: a stock diesel is a capable engine, but anemic. You'll get there, but with a max speed of 50mph it'll take awhile. You can always put a diesel into your 88 -- and it'll be better.

I'd drive the 82 for awhile and see if you like it. We sold our diesel since we didn't use it and the increased fuel economy was not worth all the drawbacks. You might disagree.

john