Second Hand Volkswagen LT Sill

The VW LT ran across two distinct generations: the original LT1 (1975–1996) and the revised LT2 (1996–2006), and the body pressings are completely different between them, so a sill from an LT1 will not fit an LT2 and vice versa. Within each generation, wheelbase (short, medium, or long) and body style (panel van, minibus, chassis cab) affect the sill profile along the lower body sides, so you need to match those details too. Always confirm the exact generation and body variant with the breaker against your registration before ordering.

Yes, wheelbase matters significantly for the LT – short wheelbase, medium wheelbase, and long wheelbase variants have different overall body lengths, and the sill panel that runs along the lower rocker between the front and rear wheel arches will differ in length accordingly. When contacting a breaker, give them your exact wheelbase specification as well as the generation (LT1 1975–1996 or LT2 1996–2006) to make sure the replacement panel matches. Fitting a sill from a different wheelbase variant is unlikely to work without significant modification.

For the sill itself – which runs along the lower side of the vehicle between the wheel arches – the rear door arrangement (barn doors versus a tailgate) does not directly affect the sill pressing on most LT variants. However, body style differences such as panel van versus minibus or chassis cab can affect the sill profile, so body style is the more important thing to confirm with the breaker. Confirm the full body configuration against your registration when you request a quote, just to be safe.

The LT28, LT35, and LT46 designations refer to payload/weight ratings rather than different body shells, and for the most part the bodywork pressings on same-wheelbase, same-body-style LT variants were shared across these designations within the same generation. In practice this means a sill from an LT28 or LT46 of the same generation and wheelbase is likely to be the same panel, but because there can be subtle pressing differences between variants sold under different sub-names, you should confirm with the breaker against your registration before purchasing. Engine size and payload rating alone do not affect sill fitment.

No – the engine fitted to your LT (petrol, diesel, or turbodiesel) and any trim or specification level have no bearing on which sill panel you need. The sill is a structural body panel determined entirely by the generation (LT1 or LT2), wheelbase, and body style of your vehicle. Focus your search on matching those three factors rather than engine or spec details.

The generation changeover is the key issue here: the LT1 ran until 1996 and the LT2 was introduced for 1996–1997 onwards, so a 1995 vehicle is an LT1 and a 1997 vehicle is an LT2, and the body structures are not the same. A sill from a 1995 LT1 is very unlikely to be a direct fit on a 1997 LT2. Confirm the exact generation of both the donor and your vehicle with the breaker against both registrations before committing to a purchase.