In addition to the hoses, the upper and lower radiator mounts, fan cowl,
electric motor, thermostatic switches, all associated wiring, and even the
cardboard air deflectors are also different.  I bought the entire radiator,
fan, hoses, and wiring from the junkyard last week to perform the same
conversion on my '82.  You will have to modify the '82 wiring harness to
accomodate the newer system.

There are two sizes of fan motors on the USA market water cooled vans.  You
want the smaller of them for use in the diesel van.  The smaller fan motor
has a connector in the fan wiring harness so it can be unplugged.  The
larger motor, which is found on 1986 and newer 2WD vans with A/C and all
Syncros is (I'm pretty sure) hard wired into the harness and may use larger
gauge wires.  It uses an external relay to control fan speed instead of the
simple thermal switch.  In later model vans, the ETKA CD also specs this
larger fan for use in "hot climates".  If you read between the lines a
little, it appears that it is also used on the turbo-diesel vans.

The upper radiator mounts are very different from the '82.  I am going to
try to use the bracket from a newer van, but it is spot welded to the body
in about a dozen places.  It may be easier to fabricate one from scratch.

Can't we just talk about tires or something?

Mike Snow

I would think you could substite a '83.5-91 Vanagon radiator in place of
your
diesel one without too much trouble.  Here are the parts you would need:
Radiator- $199
1- 251 121 083G hose- $77
1- N 901 666 01 hose- $30
That should be most of it.  The only thing I am not sure about is mounting
as
the diesel radiator mounted to rubber bumper mounts and the newer radiator
mounts in holes in the body and lower supports.  I think Mark Drillock has
done this conversion, perhaps he has some input.  Prices above are for parts
from me.

Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Phone: (856)-765-1583
Fax: (856)-327-2242