Roof rack doesn't clear rag top

[jesus_chrysler]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1358736

I just got this roof rack for christmas. I went to install it on my 58 and had to stretch the crap out of it to get it to suck down to the drip rails. The wing nuts are barely threaded on. This doesn't bother me as much as the fact that I can't open my rag top. If I get out and push the top down and work it back I can get to to squeeze back. Anyone else have this problem?
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My collection:
58 beetle rag top
63 Single cab
67 11 Window
70 Charger 440
76 Kawasaki H1 triple 2stroke
71 Yamaha R5
06 Chopped HD

[jesus_chrysler]

This might help. This car has the original rag cover. I'm not sure if it is folding properly or not. I have a new cover for it but haven't installed it yet.
_________________
My collection:
58 beetle rag top
63 Single cab
67 11 Window
70 Charger 440
76 Kawasaki H1 triple 2stroke
71 Yamaha R5
06 Chopped HD

[Keith]

There are hard top specific roof racks and ragtop specific roof racks. The difference being that the legs on the ragtop racks are longer to clear the ragtop when its open.

That center leg should be tight against the drip rail as well.

Also, roof racks are front/rear specific. The rear legs are typically longer than the front. Just make sure its mounted the correct way.
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Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"

"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty

"If you do anything to your car someone will hate on you for it. People absolutely love to complain and find fault with others. Don't let it bother you. Just live and have fun."- Lind

[jesus_chrysler]

It's an aftermarket bolt together. The link for the ad is in the 1st post. It is supposed to clear a rag top but doesn't
_________________
My collection:
58 beetle rag top
63 Single cab
67 11 Window
70 Charger 440
76 Kawasaki H1 triple 2stroke
71 Yamaha R5
06 Chopped HD

[Keith]

From the ad pic and your pic it appears that your rack is on backwards. That 45 degree support brace on the leg should be on the rear leg. You can see that the braced legs ( not including the center legs) look longer in the ad picture and that would mean those are the rear legs. Take the rack off, rotate it around and try it again.
_________________
Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"

"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty

"If you do anything to your car someone will hate on you for it. People absolutely love to complain and find fault with others. Don't let it bother you. Just live and have fun."- Lind

[jesus_chrysler]

It is mounted correctly.
_________________
My collection:
58 beetle rag top
63 Single cab
67 11 Window
70 Charger 440
76 Kawasaki H1 triple 2stroke
71 Yamaha R5
06 Chopped HD

[Keith]

Looks backwards to me. I'd try reversing it and if that doesn't fix it I would email the caddie shack with pics and ask them what the problem is.
_________________
Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"

"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty

"If you do anything to your car someone will hate on you for it. People absolutely love to complain and find fault with others. Don't let it bother you. Just live and have fun."- Lind

[jesus_chrysler]

The longer legs are on the back of the rack, correct? That's how it's installed. When I 1st threw it up there I did have it backwards and it was sloping really bad to the rear.

I did email kaddie shack. They said their may be something wrong with my top folding higher than it should and they never had this problem before.
_________________
My collection:
58 beetle rag top
63 Single cab
67 11 Window
70 Charger 440
76 Kawasaki H1 triple 2stroke
71 Yamaha R5
06 Chopped HD

[joe56vw]

[jesus_chrysler]

The top does bind a little when opening. I am going to go through it all and check it out when I install the new cover.
_________________
My collection:
58 beetle rag top
63 Single cab
67 11 Window
70 Charger 440
76 Kawasaki H1 triple 2stroke
71 Yamaha R5
06 Chopped HD

[HippyTom]

Try sliding it forward an inch or two. That will bring the longer legs in the back up higher giving the entire rack a little more clearance. You currently have it back as far as it will go where the clip inside the door jam is against the pillar.

[Benfish]

Did you ever figure it out? I have a 66 and the center leg on mine is where yours is, however, mine is touching the gutter with about an inch of threads showing.

[jesus_chrysler]

Nothing new as of yet. I think the rack is right and that my stiff old vinyl on my rag is making the rag lift up rather than just fold properly. I have a new vinyl cover to install and see how that pans out. Might be the cold temperatures too. I haven't had a day over 20 degrees to try it out yet.
_________________
My collection:
58 beetle rag top
63 Single cab
67 11 Window
70 Charger 440
76 Kawasaki H1 triple 2stroke
71 Yamaha R5
06 Chopped HD

[Miklo]

I have never heard of a ragtop specific roof rack besides a Bekowa half rack.

Those aftermarket racks are a one size fit all. Your ragtop is most likely the culprit.

With the aftermarket "knock-down" rack I had the instructions said to loosely assemble the whole rack then mount it on your Vw then tighten. The middle rack legs should get a bit closer to the drip rail... Mine came close but never got to touching the drip rails.
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✠Miklo✠
'55 Type1 "Ozma"
'66 Type1 "Charlotte" RIP
Antelope Valley's Mobile Air-Cooled Guru

[AlteWagen]

A few months ago I also bought a rack from the same place and called about this identical issue. They told me the same thing "never had this problem before".

After talking to a few others who have purchased this rack, it seems that this is a known problem with the AA manufactured knock down racks. The center bow is not make correctly and will not sit in the gutter like an original rack. No matter what you do its a poor fit and not worth the $159. What is sad is a guy down the street bought an EMPI rack and it fit better!


Its just another case of getting what you paid for and a shop selling crap

[60ragtop]

[hitest]

That bolt together rack is unfortunately as good as you can expect when using the formula of: cheap price + cheap manufacture + knockdown for cheap shipping. It equals disappointment and denial. Send it back, thank your wife, and buy one of the many original racks that are available.
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[John S.]

I am looking into a roof rack for my '63 ragtop.
I called Wolfsburg West before I ordered asking whether their
rack would clear the ragtop. They responded that it would not clear the
ragtop and was for use with hardtop beetles only.
There is a company advertising a rack here on the samba that specifically states their rack will clear a rag top. I'm thinking of going that route.
I consider Wolfsburg West the best quality parts supplier and their honesty on this issue is refreshing.

Can anyone recommend a rack they have purchased which fits well and allows for proper ragtop function?

[Slow Steve]

I got the same rack for Xmas. I put it on my 60 rag, and had the same fit issue. I had to stretch it to even get it close. What I did was loosen all the nuts and bolts, don't take them off and pull it one side then the other. Tighten the gutter clamps, then the rest of the rack. It will fit better. My rag slides back without issue, sorry man can't help there. Let us know if the bolt loosening, stretching helps for you.
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BarryL wrote:
100 years from now when they have reverse atom regeneration attractor technology perfected and in a hand held back yard mechanic's price range, someone will dig up this thread and go, "What were those guys thinking? The whole thing was all there just waiting to be re-atomized. Funny how easily they cut them up back then."
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74 911
72 914
65 13w Deluxe
60 Ragtop

[shano63]