I need to replace the little plastic guide piece that is on the sliding side
windows on the Vanagon. It's about  2 inches long I'd say and it has a groove
to meet the track at the bottom two corners of the sliding glass.

The VW dealer (Van Nuys, CA) is wantonly unhelpful and says the part is no
longer available.

A search of the VW parts list shows two numbers. For those with an exploded
view via ETKA or microfiche I think the part I need is numbered 16 in the
exploded view of the sliding window. For 1983 it says "No Longer Available"
I'll give the VW dealer that. But it seems there is a 14a option that looks
like it includes two pieces, the guide piece listed as 16 and another "guide
piece" which I can't figure out. Will ordering the 14a get me what I need?
What is the other piece in the 14a bracket?

In listing of later model busses, I think it was a 90 Synchro the guide piece
marked 16 came up with a part number. I'm guessing that means 16 is
available, but is it a different color on the later busses? Will it work for
my 1983?

My guide piece is off white to jibe with the silver aluminum frame. Are the
later frames black?

Here's the part numbers I got from the VW parts list:

14a is:   253 847 717 E   (this seems to be a set of 2 guide pieces that
serve different purposes)

16 is:     281 847 723 B     (this seems to be the 2 inch plastic guide piece
I need but is only listed on a late model Synchro as available and not
available for the 83)

(Incidentally I saw on the parts list a complete sliding window for the rear
most side window on the driver's side. That seems kind of sweet. I guess
there's not one for the passenger side for fear the sliding door could take
off an arm if it was hanging out the rear most window. But that rear slider
looks like a nice option. Anyone have one?)

I've probably made this more confusing than it has to be.
TIA
Jeff
83.5 Westy
LA,CA