Keep in mine that the Vanagon front suspension changed. The early
vans have a harder ride. This is good and bad. Over time the springs
in the older van don't sag. I'm not sure of the year it changed, but
it was before 1986.

            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler

On Mon, 1 Nov 1999, Richard A. Jones wrote:

> Jon:
>
> Another thing to consider is the difference in driving
> characteristics between a Vanagon and a Type 2 breadloaf.
>
> I had a '76 and now (since '82) an '81 Vanagon.  There
> is a lot of difference between how the driver sits, how
> the wheel fits the hands, etc, etc.  I rate the Vanagon
> far superior for a long drive.  In fact, I prefer the
> arrangement of the splitties (I had a '61 and '67) to
> the breadloafs.
>
> On the other hand, the splitties and breadloafs went in
> the snow.  The Vanagon doesn't--or just barely does for
> me with 4 splash blocks on top of the engine!!
>
>                                 Richard A. Jones
>                                 Boulder, Colorado
>                                 '81 Vanagon  Mr Bus
>