How hard is it to remove the luggage rack from my westy?

[DeadSetMonkey]

I have a 1990 Syncro Westy.

I'd like to spruce up my luggage rack with stainless hardware... put in some little screens in the drainage holes to keep crap from getting under it... wash it thoroughly... get a new sticker on the front... etc...

I presume this would all be much easier to accomplish with the thing OFF the van... And, if it is off the van... maybe I'd even paint it and put on a fresh seal?

Removing the luggage rack easy?
Can of worms? or easy project?
Any ideas of things I "should also do, while doing that?"
_________________
----------------------------------------------------
'90 Syncro Westy 2.5Subi Turbo, BFGs 215/75/15 Rheins

[j_dirge]

Fairley easy.
The two painted bolts on front.. and a dozen or so smaller screws along the flange between it and the pop top.

Prepare to find a load of crud under the luggage rack piece.. and prepare to find a little rust where the fasteners go..
Clean that all up and prep it against further rust.

Also look for wear spots in the paint from where the top molding makes contact with the paint.
Touch up to prevent rust as appropriate.
_________________
-89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.

-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5

[DeadSetMonkey]

Did my luggage rack originally come from the German factory painted in the same color as the body (I have a White 1990 Van). Currently the body and top have both faded enough, it is hard to know if they started the same. I presume they both started the same color...
_________________
----------------------------------------------------
'90 Syncro Westy 2.5Subi Turbo, BFGs 215/75/15 Rheins

[insyncro]

Taking it off is not that difficult.
Putting it back on can be challenging the first time.

[j_dirge]

[insyncro]

Boat hull cleaner oil based Penetrol very nice looking Westy top.

[DeadSetMonkey]

[DeadSetMonkey]

[insyncro]

I have had no issue with the oil based Penetrol product and yellowing.
I do spray it evenly though.
No clue as to the issues other have had with it.


The water based product is not the same as what I use.

[madspaniard]

Here is GoWesty video showing how to remove/install luggage rack

http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=c4-feed-u&v=tBS8kbENHEs
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

[chimivee]

[DeadSetMonkey]

[creative native]

I also added the stainless cleats to my 1986 Westfalia's luggage rack last year and I do think they are a nice upgrade from the originals, which by now are most always oxidized and ugly. You will have to drill the rivets from the original cleats. The new hardware from GoWesty attach by nut and bolt. I agree with previous comments to expect a lot of crud under your luggage rack. The two most tricky parts of this for me was being careful to align the luggage rack holes located in the rear with the upright bolts that extend from under the roof. If you accidentally knock those bolts down, I expect you will have to remove the headliner above the front seats to retrieve them. Those bolts are held in place presumably by some adhesive around the bolt head. The other complication is aligning the side mounting bracket and bolts. The bracket on the driver's side of mine kept twisting after I remounted the luggage rack. I would like to add those cone screens to my luggage rack's drain holes. Where did you get yours?

[yycwesty]

Great post..I currently have my luggage rack off. Cleaned up well and minimal rust. Would it be worth packing some waterproof insulation between the metal roof and the luggage rack (insulation would be very well wrapped and sealed in heavy duty plastic to prevent exposure to water and possibly rust.. Would this reduce any wind or sound noise. Any other tips for reducing the wind noise pertaining to the luggage rack. Seals seem to be in great condition

Cheers
Al

[wecm31]

[creative native]

Al, I have considered the same ideas and have not decided on anything yet. I was also lucky and other than some dirt and pine needles, I had no serious problems under my luggage rack. Gerald's idea is great and I will be at the hardware store tomorrow. Good luck, Al and let us know how you proceed with it. Thanks for the suggestion, Gerald.

[yycwesty]

I think just putting the screens in will do me as well. I don't see/hear from anyone who added sound proofing/insulation to the outside. I will add it above the headliner.

So plumbing screens it is..Good luck with your work Gerald and thanks for the advice Creative

Cheers
Al

[outdoornate65]

I recently did a spruce-up of my pop-top and luggage rack.
The luggage rack was easy to remove and I was very surprised by the amount of debris under there once I removed it.

I added small pieces of screen to the underside of the drain holes and secured them in place with some 3M 5200 I had laying around. I also backed the new SS cleats with alum pieces to strengthen the tie-downs.

_________________
1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg "Nana"

[tam_shops]

I've also read that Penetrol yellows white tops, no idea how or why, just recall reading it. Probably on the Penetrol thread. In that same thread there were some other ideas on how to freshen it up, don't recall what, as I have a blue top and it worked great for me. I've done it 4 times now.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=314474&highlight=penetrol

tam

[DeadSetMonkey]