In a message dated 98-09-20 10:32:44 EDT, macpine@EARTHLINK.NET writes:

<< > << I was intrigued  by Marvin Peitz's note stating that 88-and-later GL's
were
 >  at least a foot longer than 87-and-earlier. I've owned almost every year
 >  from 86 to 91 and never noticed a difference.  Having an 88 and an 87 in
 >  the driveway at the moment, both GL's,I dashed out and measured them both,
 >  headlight-to-tailight.  They were exactly the same, 169 inches.
 >   >>
 >
 > but did you know they are taller too???  yes, about 5/8 inch..  its because
 > the thickness of the metal.  the '88 and later GL's are made with good
metal,
 > instead of the bad metal that the earlier vans were made of.
 > personally, i'd stay away from the earlier vans, because of the quality of
the
 > metal.
 >
 > chris

 Yea, and that makes them much heavyer as well! Of course, they have to
 be to support their lead brain drivers!
  >>

well, they say the only brain you need to drive a Vanagon is the ECU.....  ;<)

chris