If you want to switch to 87 calipers(86 was older type) you need
to change whole lower suspension and sway bar.Late suspension is
better.Brakes are much better due to single piston caliper.
Done it on my 85 Westy and few more, hard work but worth it
Since new parts arevery expensive getting them from PYP is reasonable
Leon

On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 13:18:06 -0800, Aaron <lists@MYCOMMUNITYNET.NET> wrote:

> Hello all. I just have a few questions about the front suspension. I'm
> having a birthday party for my single owner '85 vanagon. I've got new
> shocks and would love to also put in a few parts that are probably worn
> out. I'm not sure of exactly what should be replaced after 20 years and
> 280,000 miles. I've got the help of a mechanic so I'd love to do
> whatever I can now and have had the van parked for the last 2 years
> saving to get it ready for the next 10 years. I just finished putting
> in the subaru engine...very nice. Now I would like to turn to other
> mechanical parts.
>
> Here are some front-end parts that I found on the busdepot site. Should
> they be replaced?
> - Upper Ball joints
> - Lower Ball joints
> - Upper Control Arm busing
> - Tie Rods
>
> My next thought is brakes. They are OLD...as in original calipers old.
> I currently need new rotors, so I thought that perhaps I should get new
> calipers as well. I remember reading something about the 86+ calipers
> being superior and was thinking about an upgrade. Is this true and do
> they work better. Do they hook right up and bold on? My calipers are
> not leaking and are currently working just fine. Is there a large
> difference? I would assume I would get '85 rotors,  not the 86+ rotors
> if I decided to upgrade the calipers.
>
> Rear brakes were done 10,000 miles ago.
>
> Other things on the list are the steering rack boots (1 is torn), fuel
> lines and in the near future a transmission, front blower motor and
> windshield (still all original). Any other thoughts?
>
> Thanks!
> Aaron
>

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