Front doors will interchange in all years. The rear hatch should, too; later pushbuttons were slightly different, as were ones with power locks, but the hatch is the same. Also, some had rear wipers and washers. 

I believe the hatch glass is the same size in all years as well. The only difference might be whether or not it had the rear defrost. 

The sliding doors changed in '85. I've heard people mention '86, but all '85's and up I've seen use the newer door. The older ones have a longer handle on the outside, and different latch mechanisms on the door and the body. The windows got smaller in the newer doors as well. On the older doors, the windows were the same size as the opposite side and could be swapped if you wanted. (Of course they slide the opposite way.)

Westfalia windows open 30% because of the latch placement for the screen. Regular windows open 50%. The same size change was made to the window in the slider regardless of camper or not. 

I know- more info than you wanted, but I was on a roll. 

Ed

> Date: Wed, 1 Jun 2011 09:50:56 -0500
> From: jim.felder@GMAIL.COM
> Subject: Two questions about doors and rear hatch glass
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
> First: is a late model (86, say) door a bolt on fit to a 1983 frame?
> 
> Second: is a late model rear hatch window a replacement for a 1982?
> 
> Thanks to anyone who knows,
> 
> Jim