Date:         Tue, 6 Apr 2004 19:15:37 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Subject:      westie luggage rack mod
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Its probably been done many times before by other owners, but I finally got
around to replacing the (rusty) "footman loops" on my Westie's luggage rack
with some stainless eye straps.

I got them from West Marine, and even with their high prices ( Ca $2.89 ea.)
it was an inexpensive upgrade.

I had to enlarge the holes in the fibreglass a tad to allow the use of 1/4"
ss bolts (bolts, flat washer and slip washer used to attach eyes).

The eye straps stand prouder than the stock units, will alloy easier bungie
and rope attachment.

The west marine part number is 477836 (has the right bolt hole spacing), can
be seen here:

<http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?keyword=
477836&resultCt=1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=41740>

Easier now to employ Al Knoll's great suggestion of running a line through
all of the eyes for unlimited attachment points.


Alistair


--
'82 Westy -> diesel converted to gas in '94
albell@uvic.ca
http://members.shaw.ca/albell