If you swap the whole thing, it is very simple and straight forward. I
have put late 85 front ends on 82 bodies a couple of times. The 86+ is
the same process and no harder. Better brakes on 86+. I would have used
86+ except I was stripping a couple 85 Vanagons so that is what I had.

Mark

Shawn Wright wrote:

>In looking at the front suspension of my new '82 Westy, I see some pretty
>sad looking rubber bits - I can stick my finger between the sway bar end
>and the popsicle stick bushing, for instance. And since I might want to go
>with power steering someday (meaning new steering knuckles, etc) it
>occurred to me that I might consider swapping the whole lot from a newer
>van - lower control arms, ps rack, newer brakes, the works.
>How big of a job is this? I'm guessing I could probably break it into several
>phases to make things more manageable.
>
>Are there any major pitfalls that might not be obvious? Anyone have the
>parts lying about...? ;-)
>
>
>
>--
>Shawn Wright
>I.T. Manager
>Shawnigan Lake School
>
>
>