Westy rack differences

[zundapp]

I have searched but have not found the info I need. What are the differences in the many versions of the westy racks? How many versions are there? The rack on my ex 62 flipseat seemed lower profile than the one I currently have on the 65. The problem I'm having, is that the rack interferes with the awning/tent pole. The piece on the rear pole that inserts into the bracket needs to be about 1" longer/taller for the horiznotal bar to clear the rack. The bus is a German delivery westy with the brackets. I do not know what era the rack is, but I do know it's not a repop. I am guessing it is a 65-67 since they switched to the drive away tents for those years. Are the 65-67 racks taller than the earlier ones? I can get measurements or pix if needed.

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Clamp Summary from this post
The different westy rack clamps used from 59 through the 70's. From Left to Right.
1. 59 - mid/late 61
2. late 61- mid 62
3. mid 62 - 67
4. 68 - ?

Pre-59 rack clamps

Rack Summary:
-`59 to early `60 slope rack with dual screws one tag
-`60 to early `61 slope rack single screws one tag
-`61 late slope rack single screws reinforced style clamps one tag
-`62 early non slope (slope style parts) one tag no corner supports
-`62 late thru `63 or `64(?) new corner supports 65-67 style clamps
and one tag
-`64-`65 same as rack above but with dual tags
-`65-`67 same as previous rack but shorter for pop top
-`68-up baybus lower profile different clamps etc etc.

Pre-59 rack

This is an early 62 rack.

Late 62-65 rack

This is a bay rack.

(Bay rack in front)

Rack measurements:
Pre-62 Slope rack: 52.5" long, 10.5" high
From Lind here: The rear bow of a sloped rack sits at the same height as all the bows on a bay window rack. Around 9.5 inches of clearance in the middle.
62-64 rack: 52.5" long, 13" high
65-67 pop-top rack: 45.625" (45 5/8") long, 13" high
Bay window rack: 45.625" (45 5/8") long, 9.5" high
Heights are measured from the ground the center of the cross bow.

Rack tags:
Early '62 tag:

Tag location, when dual tags were used:

Other photos

Repro tags:

Rack clamp hardware (from a '61-62 clamp):

From 1966 Campmobile Parts list

[xavi_242]

I think there are some differences in the brackets, look in the gallery.
also early (but I don't know how early) rack has slope to the rear of the bus like the end of the roof...
_________________
1967 Split SO-42 Dormobile

[abuspilot]

There are many differences between the yrs, most are very minor though. Measure the lengths of your slats. These are original measurements, so if your wood is original and 52.5 inches long, you probably have an early 62 only rack which does sit lower and level. If the wood measures 45.5 you have a bay window westy rack. Look the same as a 65-67 rack but sits much lower and the clamps are HUGE . Bigger than the 65-67 clamp. Hope this helps. Post some pics, would love to see it.

This is an early 62 rack.

This is a bay rack.

[[email protected]]

Are there any period pics or brocher showing the wood slate rack on a bay window?

[Lind]

[zundapp]

I didn't even know the bays used a wood slat rack. The clamp measures 2 7/16" at the bottom and the foot of the rack is a little over 2". Is that huge? I don't know why I didn't notice earlier but my rack has a LOT of bow in it and sits pretty high. Bay window?? Here is a the best photo I could find. Slat length was about 52". If it sat closer to the roof line, I would have no problem with the tent pole.

[zundapp]

Sorry, forgot the photo.

[bastardbus]

As the other said there is just dozens of different racks...year to year they changed...short example of post `58 racks. As the days and months go buy more new styles and variances in racks pop up and
add to the list. I just came across the late dual tag `64-`65 for the first time a couple weeks ago.

-`59 to early `60 sloper with dual screws one tag
-`60 to early `61 sloper single screws one tag
-`61 late sloper single screws reinforced style clamps one tag
-`62 early non sloper (slope style parts) one tag no corner supports (pic above)
-`62 late thru `63 or `64 (??) new corner supports 65-67 style clamps
and one tag
-`64-`65 same as rack above but with dual tags (just found this one)
-`65-`67 same as previous rack but shorter for pop top
-`68-up baybus lower profile different clamps etc etc..(pic above)

Maybe Greg and Lind can fill in the early rack blanks...tents are the same way..year to year they seem to have little changes most folks never realize.
_________________
Samba Member #95

[abuspilot]

I must have missunderstood your question initially. If the rack in question is the one on your bus pictured. It's a 65-67 so-42 rack. Your clamps are not the big ones I was talking about. Not sure about the problem you having though.... Technically it should work fine...

[abuspilot]

[zundapp]

[quote="

-`59 to early `60 sloper with dual screws one tag
-`60 to early `61 sloper single screws one tag
-`61 late sloper single screws reinforced style clamps one tag
-`62 early non sloper (slope style parts) one tag no corner supports (pic above)
-`62 late thru `63 or `64 (??) new corner supports 65-67 style clamps
and one tag
-`64-`65 same as rack above but with dual tags (just found this one)
-`65-`67 same as previous rack but shorter for pop top
-`68-up baybus lower profile different clamps etc etc..(pic above)

Maybe Greg and Lind can fill in the early rack blanks...tents are the same way..year to year they seem to have little changes most folks never realize.[/quote]

Cool! Great to have all that info in one post.

I just took a measurement. With the rack sitting on the floor (not on the bus), it's 10.5" from floor to the bottom of the bow at the middle. I am very curious what some other racks measure. I have a suspicion that mine is gonna be taller. If anyone is willing to measure thier rack, I would really appreciate it!
BTW, the rack on my bus used to be a 52" rack. I bought it with only one original slat. I cut the slats to that size. Turned out beauty. Then I tried to put it on the bus... your ahead of me on this right. It's too long I had to cut 6" out of it to fit behind the pop top. That's what I get for not doing my homework.

[abuspilot]

Mine measures 11 1/8" . It is original and unrestored.

I have two early empi repop ones both measure (sorry to say) 10.5" By early I mean purchased in 2001 or 2002.

[70 140]

Does anyone know where to find a few of the vertical pieces that hold the upper tubing in place?

[zundapp]

[zundapp]

[abuspilot]

That 62 has the early 62 only rack. Those seem to have been a short run rack. All three legs on the early 62 rack are rear legs of the sloper 59-61 racks. Most likely left over parts. That rack is definitely lower than the later 62-67 racks.

The one I measured is a 65-67 rack. I believe it came off of a 67 but not a 100% sure.

Here is a late 62-65 rack. This one is the same height as my 65-67. Both tents work great on this bus.

Do you tent poles look modified??

Some bus / rack w/ larger tent.

[bastardbus]

[zundapp]

Mystery solved!
After seeing the photos that buspilot posted, I knew it had to be the poles and not the rack. It now appears that the part of the pole that I said was too short in my first post, IS too short. I guess it broke off at some point and was replaced with too short a piece of bar stock. It looks correct but not as long as the front. Or i guess it's possible the end broke off after the bend, and they just bent the part that was left. Can't imagine the impact it would take to brake it though.
Thanks for the help getting this straightend out and the education on westy racks

Bastardbus: That 62 flipseat does rock. It rocks hard! 34k miles with all the goods.
It was all original inside and out. It's the only one I really regret letting go. I think it's in a museum somewhere now last I heard.

[zundapp]

[BarryL]

So there's a high and low version of the 52.5" long wood slat Westy rack?