My 1985 Vanagon has the original fuel filter setup. Will this kit work for me and is it really an upgrade?

Absolutely! This kit is specifically designed for early Vanagons, including your 1985 model. It upgrades your original, easily clogged pre-filter setup to the more robust Bosch fuel filter system that VW switched to in 1986. This means better protection for your fuel pump from starvation and cavitation, ultimately helping it last longer. You're essentially getting the superior system that later models benefited from.

What exactly is included in the GoWesty Vanagon Fuel Filter Upgrade Kit?

The kit comes with everything you need to perform the upgrade. You'll get the larger, more effective Bosch fuel filter, all the necessary fittings and hoses, and detailed, step-by-step instructions to guide you through the installation process. Just remember, you'll need a pair of pincer pliers, which are sold separately, to complete the job.

Why move the fuel filter after the fuel pump? Isn't that how it was originally?

For earlier Vanagons (pre-1986), the original setup had a filter *before* the fuel pump, which was prone to clogging quickly. This kit moves the more efficient Bosch fuel filter to the position *after* the fuel pump. This placement protects the pump itself from debris and ensures a cleaner fuel supply to your engine, preventing issues like cavitation and extending the pump's lifespan. It's a significant improvement over the original design.

I'm not super mechanically inclined. How difficult is the installation for this fuel filter upgrade?

We've designed the installation to be as straightforward as possible. The kit includes comprehensive instructions with clear steps. While it does require a pair of pincer pliers (sold separately), most DIYers find the process manageable. If you're comfortable with basic maintenance, you should be able to handle this upgrade. Many customers appreciate the detailed guide that makes it less intimidating.

GoWesty Vanagon Fuel Filter Upgrade Kit

Product:	GVW-VANO-FF-UPGRADE
Works With:	1980-1985
Manufacturer:	GoWesty
Restock ETA:
Availability:
Difficulty:	Requires some hand & power tools and minimal mechanical knowledge.

Proposition 65: This product may contain chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

If you've got an early model Vanagon, this kit is like striking the motherlode. The GoWesty kit allows you to replace the soon-to-be-obsolete pre-filter (you know, the one that clogs really easily and causes the fuel pump to starve and cavitate, thus shortening its life). Even better, it replaces that pre-filter with the late-model Vanagon real-deal Bosch fuel filter after the fuel pump. VW figured out that this was the best way to do things in 1986... and now your pre-86 Vanagon can be outfitted in the same way.

Kit includes all of the parts you need to upgrade your fuel filter system, including a larger and more effective post-fuel pump filter. Detailed instructions included.

Learn more by reading this article.

Installation requires a pair of pincer pliers for the ear clamps, sold separately.