Tim,
I'm one die hard vanagon owners who (did have) too much time  and did the
slider transplant to my bus.
By using the standard GL middle sliders you get about a 5 inch opening
window. I think the westy still has that much window outside the closet so
you could still get both sides to open up.

When I did the work I wondered how "worth it" it was going to be, I am happy
to say that I do use them all the time when in the back. With a bit of
screen you can have cross ventalation for sleeping.

Dana,
The rear 88 on vents do help while driving they pull air out the rear area
of the van and allow your heater and fresh air to enter easily. I personally
think they look cool and offered a tiny bit more privacy to the back
sleeping area of the van.

They also allow you to do the sliding window conversion to have opening
windows in the rear.  You need them to complete the rear part of the "frame"
of the window.

 http://users.ca.astound.net/dougfayne/Dpillarsliders.JPG

http://users.ca.astound.net/dougfayne/driversideslider.JPG

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tim Demarest" <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 10:39 AM
Subject: Re: 89 + Rear window vents transplanted in an 85 Westy

> I've never had a van with the ventilated rears, but it . looks to me like
> one more place to worry about leaks, got enough of those in my '85
already,
> thanks!
>
> One or two owners have transplanted sliding *middle* windows into the
> rear... Wouldn't  do any good on the driver's side behind that westie
> cabinet, but I'd sure love to be able to roll over in bed and open (or
> close) a window on the passenger side.
>
> At 12:55 PM 1/24/2006 -0500, you wrote:
> >Hey everyone,
> >
> >Would you recommend transplanting the rear vent wings from an 89 or
> >later Vanagon into an 85 Westy?  I already have my windows out and I
> >have a donor 90 Vanagon.
> >
> >What are the advantages to these?
> >
> >thanks,
> >
> >Dana
> >85 Westy 1.9 TD
> >04 Beetle TDI