Just replaced my 84's old style ebrake handle with a newer type, as was
suggested as an 'upgrade' somewhere .  A very good upgrade, indeed!  The old
style is pretty flimsey, looks like it may have come out of the VW beetle
parts bin.  The newer style is very much sturdier and must have a slightly
different 'geometry'.  I get positive brake engagment for holding on my 5-6%
driveway now without even 'maxing-out' my efforts or worrying about pulling
that flimsey old lever right the heck out of the floor, or something.
  I got mine from the Samba classifieds.  Now I need a new style
lever 'boot' as the old style doesn't fit quite right...

  And while I was under the van I noticed my ebrake cable adjuster stuff and
my shift linkage were rubbing slightly on one of my fuel lines...I took an
old fuel line hose and split it lengthwise and put that over the line gas
line as a guard against that slight rubbing and also against rocks and
gravel that might get tossed up by the front tires..
  Don Hanson