I am trying to upgrade my 1985 Vanagon Weekender Model, 4-spd, gas, 1.9l
    
For the models:    (1) 83-85 or earlier; and (2) 86-91 or "you tell me?"
    -What year 4-spd. will fit in models above?
    -What year auto. trans. will fit above models.....
    
Realistically I may have to buy a non-camper Vanagon to get the (1) year (prefer 86-91!); (2) interior (prefer carat) ; and (3) A/C
then cut top off (sounds bad....) and re-attach my Pop Top to this non-camper body to get what I want.  I simply cannot afford a
$10K Vanagon at this time.

What are the group's suggestions here.
    -Overall plan 
    -links to info., website, etc. that shed light on above items....
    -etc.

Thanks ..... your advice NOW might save me alot of trouble, time, and $.  I want to "do this right" in my planning.....

Larry 
Georgia

PS.  The cutting of the Vanagon's top does not "scare me"..it's the interior re-finishing (I want it to look "right") that is my concern.

PSS.  What can you do if your non-camper has middle AC vents and you want to add this Pop Top to that middle.  Can you alter and 
route AC vents into the rear as the original models had?