Can it be done to put 86+ brake calipers and rotators on an earlier
1.9 Vanagons? Are the spindles compatible between the two?

The front brake of my 84 and 83.5 have been a constant issue to me. I
found that I have to use only OEM pads for the front brake to work. Tried
many aftermaket pads with no luck. They are not even close to be usable
in my several attempts to use them. VW must have realized the brake issue
so they upgraded it for the 86+ models among other reasons.

I am concerned that once VW dealers no longer carry them I would be
out of luck for good brake pads.

David

--- Mark Drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET> wrote:

> The main thing is to find one that has been loved enough to be worth
> committing yourself to and don't worry too much about the year.
>
> As Scott says, the later sliding door is a huge improvement that all 85
> and newer models have. The better parking brake was phased in during the
> 85 model year and many 85s don't have it. Ditto for the plastic coolant
> pipes and cast front lower arms. At least the newer and much better
> parking brake can be easily added to earlier models.
>
> The 86+ has more powerful front brakes to go with the more powerful
> engine. Better caliper design, more pad area, larger effective diameter
> rotor and of greater thickness.
>
> The upgraded wiring found in 86+ is a more robust and versatile system
> though I'm not sure too many owners would notice the difference.
>
> Lots of small changes were made after 86 as well and the vehicle just
> got a little bit better year by year. I prefer 87 and later but 85 is a
> sweet spot in the value curve and 86 is only slightly different than 87.
>
> Mark
>

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