Front Suspension Swap: 86-91 into an 84? Can this be done?

[beach_creature]

Hi.

I have an 84 Westy and was hoping to swap newer front spindles into my van, along with the newer brakes as well; in hopes of someday upgrading to bigger brakes.

I also picked up the front cast lower control arms from the same vehicle. I purchased new radius rods, and I am planning on purchasing new end links as well as all new urethane bushings.

Will the late model Vanagon front suspension swap directly into the early model? Or will there need to be any fabrication done to the brackets on the frame? Anyone done this?

Thanks.
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84 Westy
1.9TD AAZ
5spd manual with Locking Peloquin TBD

[Bills85Westy]

Yes, you can swap the newer front spindles onto your 84.

When installing the big brakes, you'll need to supply the 19mm bolts not included with the kit. I believe everything else is plug and play.
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89 Tristar Syncro Doka - White
85 Westfalia Syncro (conversion)
SAH 1.8T Conversion - 2005 AWP
Engine Conversion Thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=612144&highlight=
85 Doka L345 Grey - 1.9L

[levi]

Power steering spindles are different from non-power steering.
Might want to make sure that you get the right ones.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

[beach_creature]

The spindles I was not worried about. Does the lower control arm, end links, and radius rod all match up as well?

I do not have power steering. I didnt know there was a difference in the spindles between ones with power steering and non-power steering?

So I either need to put in a power steering rack or find newer spindles that were not power steering? Does that exist?
_________________
84 Westy
1.9TD AAZ
5spd manual with Locking Peloquin TBD

[foodeater]

[levi]

Yes, here they are side by side.
Samba member jwpate bought a set of spindles and was sent one of each.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

[AndyBees]

For what it's worth, I installed the Power Steering Rack out of an '86 Westy (total wreck) into my '84 tin-top. I do not recall any problems at all.
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[beach_creature]

Putting in a power steering rack, running lines, adding a pump can all be done. I guess it adds a little extra weight and I would lose a little HP as well.

Ill have a look at the spindles I picked up and see if they are for power steering or not. I dont recall what rack the vehicle had.

Is the power steering spindle the one on the left or the right in the photo?

Thanks.
_________________
84 Westy
1.9TD AAZ
5spd manual with Locking Peloquin TBD

[crazyvwvanman]

The one on the left is not one of the later spindles. That early spindle came manual only.

The one on the right has a much larger flat area where the hole is drilled for the tie rod end. The hole is drilled in a different place in that flat area depending on whether it is meant for power or manual. That one is drilled for power steering. A manual one would have the hole drilled closer to the end.

Mark

[beach_creature]

ok. Thanks so much!

Looks like maybe it wouldn't be too much work to have a machine shop fill the whole and drill an new one closer to the outside.
_________________
84 Westy
1.9TD AAZ
5spd manual with Locking Peloquin TBD

[xstreamcanadian]

I know this thread is old as hell. But Ill try anyway. I have this same option. I have no desire to add PS to my van. If I swap in spindles and CAs and brakes from a later t3 into my manual steering 84 with manual steering rack that works? just perhaps tougher to steer?

thanks

[crazyvwvanman]

The manual rack will work ok with the later PS steering stuff. Yes, a little harder to steer at low speeds.

The later radius rods need to go in with the later lower arms.

Mark

[MarkWard]

A competent welder could fill the holes and new holes could be drilled further out from the spindle. The hole where the tie rod end attaches is tapered, so that would need to be solved. Not a deal breaker though. A reamer with the correct angle would work.
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☮️

[D Clymer]

FWIW, there were a small number of late model Vanagons sold in the USA without power steering. Some of the Westfalia Weekenders (pop top, but no kitchen) had manual steering. Also, there was a Vanagon L sold in 1985 and 1986 (vinyl seats, chrome hubcaps), that came standard with manual steering. So the late model uprights for manual steering do exist in the USA, but they're very rare.

[crazyvwvanman]

I had 3 different 86 vans in my driveway that came manual steering. All of them were white.
Never even seen anything newer that came that way in the US market Vanagons.
Just about impossible to buy those parts though.

I wonder if these would help for relocating the holes?

https://vwparts.aircooled.net/Tie-Rod-Relocation-K...kit-pr.htm

Mark

[AndyBees]