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chamilka Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2006 Posts: 197 Location: San Deigo
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Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 1:07 pm Post subject: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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Hi All,
My garage clearance is 84 inches (7 feet). I have a 1966/67 Split SO42 Westy. The bus is standard stock height with standard wheel/tires. I would like to install a Westfalia Roof rack (original dimensions) at the back section.
I would like to know if my bus be able to clear the garage with the roof rack.
If the Westy Rack does not fit my garage, I have look for a aftermarket low-profile one. Do you know someone who makes custom racks for our buses in SoCal area?
Thank you |
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ZENVWDRIVER Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2008 Posts: 3340 Location: N.E. Oklahoma
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Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 2:34 pm Post subject: Re: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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We put our full rack on, when our SO 33 was inoperable - I think, I measured our 7' opening, against the height of the rack, on the bus and all was good - I think - I hope - z
_________________ 5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
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jeremy57ride Samba Member
Joined: May 23, 2005 Posts: 1318
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Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2021 11:12 am Post subject: Re: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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I'm afraid it is painfully close and may not fit. I've heard of guys taking air out of tires each time. My old garage had 7 ft doors and it did not work for me. I specifically used 8 ft doors when we built.
_________________ "If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do." -Warren Miller |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69824 Location: Phoenix Metro
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Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2021 5:30 pm Post subject: Re: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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I searched the Forum and someone else said you need 83.5" of clearance
This thread asking about pop-top clearance:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=602836
I found another person saying the rack is 450mm high total (450mm = 17.7")
Found this too:
AlteWagen wrote: |
A= 5.5
B= 63.5
C= 18
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In this photo:
A + B + C = 87" or 7' 3"
I measured my 1963 15-Window and my 1962 Westy rack (not mounted on the Bus) and I got:
A = 5"
B = 63.5"
C = 16.5"
Total = 85" or 7' 1"
My C measurement could be a little short as I'm not sure I got the full height of the top bow. _________________ How to Post Photos
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earlywesty Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2004 Posts: 2358 Location: In the woods, Ontario
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2021 4:58 am Post subject: Re: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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I had a westy rack on a bus and it did not go in a 7' garage door. I had to deflate the tires, stock suspension etc. Bay window westy rack legs should work to lower it enough. |
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LAGrunthaner Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2007 Posts: 5509 Location: 1st Coast
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2021 7:10 am Post subject: Re: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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I hope someone could post those shorter bay westy rack legs. I have the same problem. buseric is that 1" shorter? There used to be some lower profile racks by Pedro (not sure of the name spelling)? But I don't think they are available any longer.
buseric wrote: |
I had a westy rack on a bus and it did not go in a 7' garage door. I had to deflate the tires, stock suspension etc. Bay window westy rack legs should work to lower it enough. |
Wow Everett, I remember that thread. Great info, I ended up propping my garage door up 3" more with a 2x4 to avoid touching the poptop. But I have yet to install my rack and may buy some Bay Westfalia legs.
EverettB wrote: |
I searched the Forum and someone else said you need 83.5" of clearance
This thread asking about pop-top clearance:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=602836
I found another person saying the rack is 450mm high total (450mm = 17.7")
Found this too:
AlteWagen wrote: |
A= 5.5
B= 63.5
C= 18
|
In this photo:
A + B + C = 87" or 7' 3"
I measured my 1963 15-Window and my 1962 Westy rack (not mounted on the Bus) and I got:
A = 5"
B = 63.5"
C = 16.5"
Total = 85" or 7' 1"
My C measurement could be a little short as I'm not sure I got the full height of the top bow. |
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Lind wrote: |
Have you considered simply starting with a nicer bus? I don't know what your skills are, but the race is easier if you can see the finish line. If you are not a runner, don't start off doing a marathon. |
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Miskeroo Samba Member
Joined: May 30, 2017 Posts: 95 Location: Langley
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2021 11:33 am Post subject: Re: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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I use a 2x4 also. If I support the centre of my double wide garage door, it will give me the clearance needed to drive my 66 So42 pop top Westy, with a rear rack, into the garage.
My bus is stock height and the garage is standard height, around 7 ft.
I even measured a few times with a bar and level. It didn’t appear as though it would fit, but I drove in slowly, with a friend on a ladder observing, and luckily all was good.
One other option it to remove the trim at the top of the opening. The garage door is usually taller than the opening and you can sometimes gain a couple inches.
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NUTSFORBUSES Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2016 Posts: 560 Location: I don't recognize it anymore
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2021 7:36 pm Post subject: Re: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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My 21 had to wait for it's rack until I installed drop spindles and an IRS.
It missed the mark by 1/2".Every garage is different and it may also depend on the type of garage door you have, age of home, and construction. I installed the rack W/O the top luggage bars for about a year. My wife's rack is fine, for that I am grateful. _________________ kaiser kills kids.com |
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barfsurfer Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2019 Posts: 50 Location: Santa Ana, California
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Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:48 pm Post subject: Re: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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It's super close, and it might just barely work. I've got a stock height '66 kombi, and added a repro Westy rack not too long ago. I had to remove a bit of garage trim, but it fits. See this IG post to see just how close:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRXXQt_McsP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
I just measured the clearance of my garage opening, and it came it at 6' 11 5/16" - so just shy of 7'. So stock height of the bus + roof rack must be just over 6'11. _________________ '66 Velvet Green Kombi |
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earlywesty Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2004 Posts: 2358 Location: In the woods, Ontario
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Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2021 3:03 pm Post subject: Re: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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Miskeroo wrote: |
I use a 2x4 also. If I support the centre of my double wide garage door, it will give me the clearance needed to drive my 66 So42 pop top Westy, with a rear rack, into the garage.
My bus is stock height and the garage is standard height, around 7 ft.
I even measured a few times with a bar and level. It didn’t appear as though it would fit, but I drove in slowly, with a friend on a ladder observing, and luckily all was good.
One other option it to remove the trim at the top of the opening. The garage door is usually taller than the opening and you can sometimes gain a couple inches.
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That is not an og westy rack by the looks of it so cant be used as a reference. I was referring to a real split rack on a stock westy (susp, tires etc).
I have bay window legs. I can measure them and compare to a regular subhatch rack. |
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LAGrunthaner Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2007 Posts: 5509 Location: 1st Coast
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LAGrunthaner Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2007 Posts: 5509 Location: 1st Coast
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Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 3:30 am Post subject: Re: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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buseric can you describe how you can tell that is not an OG rack? Your eyes are amazing.
buseric wrote: |
Miskeroo wrote: |
I use a 2x4 also. If I support the centre of my double wide garage door, it will give me the clearance needed to drive my 66 So42 pop top Westy, with a rear rack, into the garage.
My bus is stock height and the garage is standard height, around 7 ft.
I even measured a few times with a bar and level. It didn’t appear as though it would fit, but I drove in slowly, with a friend on a ladder observing, and luckily all was good.
One other option it to remove the trim at the top of the opening. The garage door is usually taller than the opening and you can sometimes gain a couple inches.
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That is not an og westy rack by the looks of it so cant be used as a reference. I was referring to a real split rack on a stock westy (susp, tires etc).
I have bay window legs. I can measure them and compare to a regular subhatch rack. |
_________________ American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org
Lind wrote: |
Have you considered simply starting with a nicer bus? I don't know what your skills are, but the race is easier if you can see the finish line. If you are not a runner, don't start off doing a marathon. |
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SplitBusVanatic Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2005 Posts: 338 Location: Co. Mayo. Ireland
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Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 8:32 am Post subject: Re: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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@linda.
Bows on SO42 racks are curved.
That’s flat with curved outer pieces.
Once you see. You cannot unsee. |
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KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 34013 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 10:40 am Post subject: Re: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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Beware, the door opening itself was not the limiting factor for my Bay pop-top Westy.
Part of the travelling mechanism of the roll-up door was the low point. I cleared it, but barely.
If I had to, I could have trimmed the end of the standard bracketry to get another inch or so, but it wasn't necessary in my case. |
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Clara Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003 Posts: 12400
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Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:53 pm Post subject: Re: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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SplitBusVanatic wrote: |
@linda.
Bows on SO42 racks are curved.
That’s flat with curved outer pieces.
Once you see. You cannot unsee. |
True. That rack is all flat on top. Westy baskets have curved front and rear tubes.
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LAGrunthaner Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2007 Posts: 5509 Location: 1st Coast
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Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 2:39 am Post subject: Re: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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Excellent thanks so much Clara and SplitBusVanatic, excellent explanation & visuals.
Clara wrote: |
SplitBusVanatic wrote: |
@linda.
Bows on SO42 racks are curved.
That’s flat with curved outer pieces.
Once you see. You cannot unsee. |
True. That rack is all flat on top. Westy baskets have curved front and rear tubes.
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_________________ American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org
Lind wrote: |
Have you considered simply starting with a nicer bus? I don't know what your skills are, but the race is easier if you can see the finish line. If you are not a runner, don't start off doing a marathon. |
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Clara Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003 Posts: 12400
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Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 12:30 pm Post subject: Re: Westy SO42 Roofrack and Garage clearance |
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KTPhil wrote: |
Beware, the door opening itself was not the limiting factor for my Bay pop-top Westy.
Part of the travelling mechanism of the roll-up door was the low point. I cleared it, but barely.
If I had to, I could have trimmed the end of the standard bracketry to get another inch or so, but it wasn't necessary in my case. |
Yes.
If this is the case, talk to your local garage door people, about getting a 'high lift' garage door, so the door fully clears the opening. Unfortunately that costs money to get a garage door installed, but if you are doing that anyway keep it in mind.
Or sometimes you can adjust your door so it opens a bit more.
Sometimes half an inch is the difference between clearing the bus and not. _________________ The Obsolete Air-Cooled Documentation Project http://oacdp.org/ |
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