obviously you need to whole spindle assembly to put on the later brakes.

I 'thought' that was the original idea..
but I see not.

Start with 86 or later 2WD spindles ..
and the lower control arms that go with them.
that's a bolt-on. .
need the matching anti-sway bar too.
but great upgrade.
either caliper type as long as you have the matching carrier type.

( and see my other post about the knuckles will  be PS type..
and it's my understanding that they have a slightly faster steering ratio
than non-PS steering..which an 83 a;ways  has ...though that can be
installed too on an 83 ..
if using stock pipes you need to cut two notches it the frame that the pipes
pass through ..
below the filler neck area on the inboard side of the frame. 84's and later
have those cut out, 83's do not. )

it's all fun.
Scott

----- Original Message -----
From: "mark drillock" <mdrillock@COX.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 5:35 PM
Subject: Re: Front brake compatibility question

> There are 2 different caliper assembly bolt patterns and rotor offsets.
> The 80-85 are one type, 86-91 the other type. You can't mix between
> those 2 groups, not even close.
>
> The 86+ floating fronts can be Girling or ATE but you must have matching
> caliper carriers to go with whichever type caliper. The Girling uses a
> guide pin that bolts to the caliper while the ATE uses a guide pin that
> screws into the carrier, AFAIK.
>
> Mark
>
> Jim Felder wrote:
>> I am pretty familiar with the differences between the older "stamped"
>> front
>> suspension system and the later "cast" system. What I want to know is are
>> the calipers for both systems interchangeable? Can you use 90 calipers,
>> for
>> instance, on an 83? And can  Girling and ATE calipers be substituted for
>> each other?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Jim
>>