Date:         Mon, 30 Jun 2003 13:45:31 EDT
Reply-To:     Oxroad@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Westy Luggage Rack Pop Top Seal Install Question (Bus Depot)
Comments: To: diverseimaging@EARTHLINK.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

I replaced my pop top seal with the same kit. The luggage rack seal from bus
depot as I remember is thinner, that is has less heft, than the stock seal. In
fact I would say the luggage rack seal they provide is more an edge guard
than an actual seal from VW. (The actual pop-top seal that hooks to the moving
part of the roof is a seal--and a great one at that--but the front "seal" from
bus depot is more of a trim piece. The luggage rack remember doesn't have to be
water tight.).

Anyway, my guess is you might get lucky in being able to install the trim
piece by loosening the four visible luggage rack mounting screws--and if need be
the mounting bolts which are accessed under the pop top on the back of the
luggage rack. There may be enough play without having to rip out th moon roof
installation.

Having said all that, I'm sorry I can;t tell you definativly. But like I said
I took mine off all together.

FWIW that black tube of silicone seal from local parts store can be used to
cleanly fill in the gap between the main part of the pop top seal and the front
piece of the pop top seal that goes over the roof. The VWOA seal is one
piece, but as I recall the Bus DEpot seal is two pieces--the sides and back as one
and the over the top as another. This silicone makes the completed job look
real nice.

Best
Jeff
LA,CA
83.5 Westy

In a message dated 6/30/2003 9:47:05 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
diverseimaging@EARTHLINK.NET writes:

> Planning on tackling the chore of replacing the pop top seal on my 82 Westy
>  in the next week or so. Purchased the kit from Bus Depot.
>
>  Does the luggage rack *have* to be removed to install the new seal on it?