It's easy to do, what Jim Arnott said....I just did it at a motel in Colorado on a road trip with "turn key, nothing happens" problem.  No....not the lock cylinder and all.  Just do the electrical part of the ignition switch assembly.

About a 30 minute job; but you've got to have that socket (24 mm?....review youtube video link below) to remove the steering wheel (available at Napa).  I've done this job before; and I needed a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter.  So be sure you get that before you start.

 I bought an ignition switch from the local Napa shop (was about $35....ouch!!, but I was in the middle of nowhere (and pleasantly surprised they had the physical part right before my eyes).  But it solved the problem.
Here's a youtube clip from listmember Brian:  Replacing Vanagon Ignition Switch

|   |
|   |  |   |   |   |   |   |
| Replacing Vanagon Ignition Switch |
|  |
| View on www.youtube.com | Preview by Yahoo |
|  |
|   |

BTW....be sure to do the "install key and turn to ON position" step he mentions.  I didn't do that the first time I did the install a few years back and it was messy and probably why it needed replacement again; if you do it, it's super easy.  And gets things all aligned correctly.

Oh....I will ALWAYS carry a spare ignition switch from now on (much cheaper from List Vendors than what I paid).  Really sucks to have no start when out in the middle of nowhere.  Cheap.  Small.  Excellent roadtrip insurance.
And NO, I don't have a bunch of heavy things hanging from my key ring; that is often cited as a possible source of the problem.  Methinks that things just wear out after 30 years.
Anyway....love it when I turn the key and it cranks right up.

Rich
San Diego

      From: Jim Arnott <jrasite@EONI.COM>
 To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
 Sent: Monday, August 1, 2016 6:02 PM
 Subject: Re: VAN STALLED AND WON'T START ?
   
Just switch the electrical part of the switch, not the lock.

Jim

> On Aug 1, 2016, at 12:59 PM, Pat Patterson <SESRating@AOL.COM> wrote:
> 
> snip
> THOUGHT I WOULD ASK HERE FOR ANY IDEAS BEFORE I TRY TO PULL AN  IGNITION
> SWITCH FROM A DONER VAN AND SEE IF IT WORKS.  ALSO DOES ANYONE  KNOW IF IT IS
> EASY TO SWITCH THE TUMBLERS FROM MY SWITH TO THE DONOR SO I CAN  USE MY
> SAME KEY.  I;M NOT SURE IF THE DONOR SWITCH HAS A KEY FOR IT OR  NOT.