In a message dated 2/10/2015 10:50:21 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
dhanson928@GMAIL.COM writes:

Closing  the slider on vanagons is usually a noisy event, and sometimes
involves a  few attempts when you don't give it a vigorous yank, then let it
use  momentum and let it slam home with that distinct sound.  The  stock
handle is awkward when closing from the inside, and it 'seems' like  the
inner handle could be broken easily, though mine  hasn't..

I've added a simple second cabinet door  handle  to the rear of mine to
allow it to be pulled closed from  inside.  The handle is mounted on the
bodywork between the window and  the door panel with two panhead sheet metal
screws, # 10, I think I used,  and it's positioned about 8" from the rear of
the slider, about on the apex  of the curved section between the panel and
the window. I located it when  the door was at it's "resting" place, where
it ends up after a failed  slam-attempt.   Now it's easier to close and you
aren't forced to  slam it...

the late bus and early vanagon westys had a rear inside door  handle. this
was so you could pull it close and latch it from the inside.  not sure why
VW deleted this on the later models..  i added one to  mine from a earlier
van.