I had a couple of the early WBX Westies and liked them a lot.  I enjoyed the larger side door and the first fridge I had is still the coldest (original) one I have ever had.  The pop tops on both of them worked better than my current vehicle, although I'm not sure why. The headlights were far better than the later models, so much so that I transplanted the grille and buckets and installed H4's into my later vehicle.  That being said, I now own an '87 with A/C (that works) and power steering that my wife (all 5' 4" of her) loves.  The captain chairs with armrests saved my arms on cross country journeys and, IMHO, are more comfortable.  I don't like the interior light not being over the stove, but my current light is not warped from heat.  As far as powerplants, I switched to a Tiico on my second Vanagon, 'cause I got sick of replacing head gaskets, and am now running a Golf Gen, 5 inline from FAS in the "87.
There are many other differences that others will point out, and a chart that details them, but bottom line is like what you got.  If not, then, if able, change it.  Had I not run into rust run wild on my first one and broken/breaking expensive parts (and a desire by my wife for the aforementioned creature comforts), I would still be driving my original 84.5.  And although I loved my split window busses (one a Westy), I don't think I would go back to 'em.

Dave B.

On 09/26/14, Higginbotham, David A. wrote:

I know that it is accepted that the later year vanagons are better than the earlier vanagons, why? Not wanting to open up a can of worms here, but I am curious what were the various improvements made to the vanagons between 1980 and 1991. Is there a comprehensive list somewhere that someone has compiled that lists these changes? I vaguely remember something mentioned about something like this here on the list a number of years ago but I have slept since then.

David Higginbotham
82 Westy (back on the road WHOOHOOO!!)
Silk Hope, NC