I believe that the thicker sway bars were stock on westfalias (and probably
other hi-tops) to counteract the extra sway introduced by carrying more
weight up at the top.

At 02:57 PM 1/3/2006 -0500, JordanVw@AOL.COM wrote:
>In a message dated 12/30/05 12:19:11 PM Eastern Standard Time,
>rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM writes:
>
>
> > I hear of rear sway bars being avaliable. A simple bolt on , I believe.
> >
> > My late 85 has the solid cast iorn lower control arm that all the square
> > headlight  vanagons have. This 85 retains the thicker sway bar that the
> > sheet metal(early) lower control arm vanagons had. The thicker bar is 21mm
> > in diameter and the thinner bar is 19mm in dia.
> >
> > A swap out for this thicker bar is ez. Besides the bar(free?),the 4
> > bushings need changing.That is all. Takes about 1 hour.
> >
> > I dont know why VW switched bars,but maybe a thicker  a bar is what you
> > need.
> >
>
>so roger what are u saying, the late 85's have a one year only thicker 21mm
>sway bar?
>
>chris
>i have a late 85 vanagon here for parts..  its got the all-plastic coolant
>pipes yet it is a 1.9L..
>
>chris