Or you can just upgrade to South African brake system!! :)

Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET> wrote:  Done that many a time. The major difference is the spindles. By using the
later spindles you get the larger brake calipers. The brake hoses are
different so you need them also. 1985 and some 86 got the lower cast control
arms but they went back to the formed steel until '89. The cast is obviously
stronger and corrosion is not an issue. As for the rack installing uses is
mostly a crap shoot as it is most likely as tired as the one you are
replacing. While doing the front end, replace the bushings and sleeves on
those strut rods.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Aaron
Sent: Saturday, September 16, 2006 11:43 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 86 front end on an 11/84 westfalia.

Hello list.

I am wondering how many of you have "upgraded" your pre-86 van to the
86+ front end stuff. By stuff I mean what the wheels ride on and
anything else that might need to be moved. Why? Because I need new
brakes, shocks and my power steering doesn't work. It might be cheap
and hopefully not too difficult to take it from a parts car that
appears to be in much better condition and have better components as
a result of the swap. Add the fact that my PS rack is shot and I
figure it might be easy to get it all from a parts van and transplant
it to the westfalia I'm fixing thereby solving my issues. I also seem
to remember some saying the newer control arms are better for some
reason??? If it's a significant difference, perhaps it would be worth
the trouble.

I also was wondering about rear springs and shocks. My new to me
westfalia has a very saggy rear. I measured from the top of the tire
to the underbody and I have about 5". I checked out some other vans
today and most of them had significantly more. My first question is
can the rear springs be taken from the van without disconnecting the
CV's? The second question would be are springs interchangeable
between years?

Thanks!
Aaron

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