In a message dated 8/15/05 12:42:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
drillock@EARTHLINK.NET writes:

> I am going to put an 87 door on
> the 82 and I would like to hear from anyone who has done this and about
> any gotchas I may encounter,
>
> For those who don't know 80-84 sliders have a much different latching
> mechanism than 85+ do. The 80-84 has a longer outside handle to help
> overcome the high force needed to open the dual latches. You often see
> 80-84 Vanagons with the slider handle broken off because of the high
> force applied to it over the years. The later door has a single latch
> and opens more easily even with the shorter handle. The window is a
> different size also so I will be looking for a later Westy screened
> window to go with the later door I just bought.
>
> Mark
>

well i know it will incolve some cutting and welding.. i think the entire C
pillar aft of the slider door is different on the pre-'85's vs the post '85's.
 i think the latching system on the B pillar is different as well.
 get out the sawzall and the torch, mark. :<)

have u just tried cleaning and lubing up the tracks on the '82 really well? i
did that to my 84 wolfy and the slider glides along the track pretty
smoothly..  the lower and beltline tracks were pretty nasty before i cleaned them up
and lubed them.