You need to add some frame reinforcement, if you plan to have 2 sliding
doors on a Vanagon.  The body can too easily twist, bend and sag if that
solid side wall is not there due to having 2 large openings.  The factory
did this, but I'm not exactly sure how they did it.  Possibly like the split
bus lower cover plates...........

Mike B.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Grebneff" <goose1047@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2008 3:15 PM
Subject: Fitting 88 slider to 84 van... differences in years?

> If I can get a righthand slider cheaply enough, with the necessary
> body section to graft into my RHD bus, I think I'll do it. Might mean
> I have to beg, buy or steal a MIG welder...
>
> Now, I have three offerings at the moment.
>
> One is a 2-tone bus, same paintscheme as mine, probably same interior
> trim-panel color too, but it's in Alabama. The seller wants $550s
> shipped within USA, which sounds reasonable, given individual
> component prices on TheSamba and the time needed to cut the body and
> box everything up.
>
> Two others, one in the LA area, are asking what I am willing to pay.
>
> OK, as the whole doorjamb are rails will be installed, I think there
> will be no compatibility problem with the newer door in an older van.
> EXCEPT the center rail, the one which guides the back edge of the
> door.
>
> Does an 88 door have the same rear (center) rail and position as an
> 84? That is, will an 88 rail fit the existing but unused rail mount on
> the 84, and will that rail then be in the correct position?