Yes, it bolts right in the same way and I have done it lots of times.

The majority of 85 vans have the newer lever too.

IMHO the later lever is improved in 3 ways.
Better hand comfort, more leverage, closer spacing of the notches.

Suggestions:Make sure the cable adjuster is free to be adjusted. Lube
the threads and loosen it a few turns. Attach the cable to the newer
lever BEFORE bolting the lever down to the floor.

Also, the later lever uses a hard plastic partial cover rather than the
full coverage flexible boot. The old boot won't fit it properly.

Mark

pickle vanagon wrote:
> I've heard that he 86 and up vanagons have a different style e-brake lever
> that offers more mechanical advantage.  Does anyone know if this can easily
> be installed in an earlier model vanagon as an upgrade?
>
> Thanks!
>
> (Just to head of any questions: My rear e-brake works well---everything is
> nicely adjusted.)
>