The short version and bottom line is,
87 is the first year with 'all the important changes finally done.'

the only backstep VW did was the rectangular headlights in North
American models starting in 1986.
Other wise ...from the air-cooled 1980 to the 87 ...many improvements.
  82 diesel is an oddball..
VW's firsat effort at a water-cooled vanagon of any type.
( the 1.9 wbxr starts in 1983.5 ) ...
there are quite a few things on an 82 DV that they only used that one year.

anyway ..87 ...all the basic improvements, engine size, cooling system,
brakes, suspension parts ..
aerodynamic outside mirrors were available in 87 for the first time I think.

also ...things appear first in Wolfsburg models sometimes.
The first vanagon tachometer appears in the 84 Wolfsburg ..
and in most waterboxer vanagons starting in 85 ..or many.

the improved sliding door , starting in 85 ..
very worth having.

each year, it's 'why didn't that do that too ? ' ..
like 85 has the better sliding door,
and is also the last North American model with round headlights ..

but the 86 has a vastly improved fuse box and wiring ..
and bigger engine ..
and the cool looking rectangular headlights, which really don't work
that well ..
though don't let that keep you from getting an 86.

86's still have the old style AC though.

really .87 is when they finally finished all the important changes.

S.
On 9/26/2014 6:39 AM, 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
>