here is a link with pics regarding the early vanagon with handle at the
rear of the sliding door

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=198673

On Thu, Aug 13, 2020 at 9:21 AM David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
wrote:

> First, thanks Alistair for clarifying the confusion that has been bandied
> about.
>
> Now, the important part:  Many later model campers DO have hard closing
> sliding doors, with attendant noise.  I now know some of the fixes for
> that, regarding new and remodeled parts, plus proper lubrication.  Some
> even use a special tape on the door roller track to help silence that.  I
> believe you are one of those.  BUT, being a fabricator, do you think a
> handle could be fitted to the rear of the door interior?  If so, how would
> you suggest one do so?
>
> Thanks so much for all the good ideas you have put on here over the years,
> even thanks for those I have not used (most of them, lacking technical
> skills like yours).
>
> mcneely
>
> On Thu, Aug 13, 2020 at 8:22 AM Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>
> > Raimund,
> >
> > My 82 diesel Westy, North American model, had the rear handle on the
> > sliding door. Mounted, as mentioned on a square boss that was welded to
> the
> > door structure. When I got the van the handle was oriented vertically, ie
> > hanging down. Took me a few years to realize it could be re installed on
> > the boss so it lay horizontally. Made grabbing it a tad easier. And yes,
> it
> > was the spring loaded handle same as at the front off the door.
> >
> > My 86 Syncro , again North American model. Does not have the rear handle
> > nor the mounting boss.
> >
> > I think it’s safe to say the rear handle was dropped when the door design
> > was changed in 85.
> >
> > Post 85 doors in good working order close so much easier than the older
> > doors that the additional pull using a rear handle ain’t needed when you
> > are trying to do that soft slow close :-)
> >
> > Alistair
> >
> > > On Aug 12, 2020, at 1:18 PM, Raimund Feussner <ray@v6bus.de> wrote:
> > >
> > > Part number front/rear handle is probably identical.
> > >
> > > Makes sense.
> > > I have a 85+ sliding door, and am pretty sure it does not have that
> > > square mounting stud in the rear.
> > > The square stud still has to be the same as the square one on the front
> > > release mechanism.
> > >
> > > Never had the chance to check out a pre-85 door though...which probably
> > > has the rear stud welded to it post-factory, because I know there is no
> > > "bump" underneath the usual doortrim.
> > >
> > > Raimund
> > >
> > >> Am 12.08.2020 um 21:53 schrieb vw_van_fan_Mark:
> > >> inside sliding door handle VW # 253 843 642
> > >> sold used Ebay etc, new replicas? from GoWesty
> > >>
> > >>
> >
> https://www.gowesty.com/product/handles-trim/2286/inside-sliding-door-handle-
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> I think many 80-84 Campers had the second one at the back.
> > >>
> > >> Mark
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> Raimund Feussner wrote:
> > >>> Hmmm, if it´s unique, it should have its own part number.
> > >>> If it´s used anywhere else, we could do a parts search with its
> number.
> > >>>
> > >>> The later style front slider door handle is this:
> > >>> https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/UYEAAOSwbNZc4WzX/s-l640.jpg
> > >>> Looks very similar, from Jim´s photo I looked at...
> > >>>
> > >>> Ready to learn something new. Can someone check the discussed
> handle´s
> > >>> P/N ?
> > >>>
> > >>> Could be from an LT as well.
> > >>>
> > >>> Regards
> > >>> Raimund
> > >>>
> > >>>
> >
>