Roof skin?...Suburban

[manimal]

Anyone replace one? Does someone have a body builders layout book? How is it attached at the seams? I know it's pinch welded around the windshield,door jams and rear side windows...but what about the seams on the pillars?
BTW it is my 1989 Suburban with barn doors.
Thanks
Lance
I know that buying another Suburban would be more cost effective, but I really have a connection with this one,so does my 7yr old son.

[manimal]

really? No one? where has all the site participation gone?

[andrewmp6]

Its a long shot and my internet is running slow but try http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-h...tion-kits.html

[manimal]

Thank You. I will try that.

[ont_guy_38]

The seams on the pillars are folded under and welded together, actually very difficult to do in most situations as accessing that area is difficult. i had seen situations like this where a panel is just spot welded back together along the seam and ground down the best you can, then you put your seam sealer back in and it looks quite acceptable. By the time you get the panel all welded back in the areas that are accessible it doesn't really need that much welding in the seam area.

[ont_guy_38]

FYI I have never had the roof off a suburban, i am just guessing from experience of the roof panels i have seen . Every welded area could very well all be accessible once you have the interior stripped down.

[manimal]

guess I'm gonna have to go to the wrecking yard and find out for myself. Kinda thought someone here would have a layout book.

[manimal]

up to the top for Saturday...anyone with a layout/body builders book for Suburbans?????

[burb1085]

Try this site
http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-h...tion-kits.html

[manimal]

I have tried that a few times and get it to load...????

[manimal]

Wow, this is very disappointing. 300 views and only a couple of replys. lets try this...How about anyone that has cut OFF a roof on a Suburban?????

[ont_guy_38]

I can guarantee you that the roof is pinch welded at the seams the exact same way it is around the windows which could be hard to access with the interior sheet metal. Maybe try posting this in the body & paint section.

[manimal]

Thank You. If this proves to be TOO much of a PIA, then I may use panel bond and glue patches on the underside of the skin then bedliner the roof.

[ont_guy_38]

Also ( I have done this before) when you cut the old roof off just leave about 2 inches of metal above the seams and trim the new roof and weld it on that way. Don't have to touch the pinch welds that are not accessible, then grind down your welds, a little bondo and your as good as new.

[manimal]

that wont affect the structural integrity of a roof THAT BIG? I've also considered cutting off at the pillars and grafting another one back on. Would be no different than doing a chop, just BIGGER!

[JCampbell]

As you know, either method is going to be a momentous amount of work, and I’ve admittedly not done either, but it seems to me that the “chop top” method would be slightly less work than trying to graft in a new roof panel utilizing the factory method.

At the very least, there’s lots of guys who’ve chopped roofs before that could offer some technical assistance if need be.

Of course, I could be completely talking out of my colon, too.

[ont_guy_38]

Originally Posted by manimal

that wont affect the structural integrity of a roof THAT BIG? I've also considered cutting off at the pillars and grafting another one back on. Would be no different than doing a chop, just BIGGER!

No it wont affect it once welded back on. You would probably be shocked at how many body shops replace panels that way. Cutting it off at the pillars would work also, if you do go that route make sure you measure measure and then measure again before you cut lol. I have done it before with just a pickup, either way it's a lot of work.

[74 stepside]

Maybe Keith Seymore could help you. He worked at the GM factory.

[Jonboy]

The only thing about the pillars is that they most likely will be double walled. If you really wanted to do it, the idea of cutting one and leaving the flanges and panel bonding the roof would be the best bet- at least to me. Get a nice bed of seam sealer on the roof ribs to make sure it stays stuck in the middle, weld the corners, and you should be good.

[manimal]

Originally Posted by 74 stepside

Maybe Keith Seymore could help you. He worked at the GM factory.

I was kinda hoping he'd pop in here with some info!
Thanks to the others for the info as well.

[andrewmp6]

He worked on the truck line but shoot him a pm you never know what info he has sometimes.

[Jonboy]

How bad is your current roof?

[manimal]

ya ever see those kids toys that shine stars up on the ceiling at night? Thats how bad. But there is NO rust anywhere else.

[Jonboy]

That blows. If you were going to the trouble of doing the roof, it seems like a body swap might be easier. At least around here, Suburbans are pretty easy to find, and the hardest thing to get rid of is the tub.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 74 stepside

Maybe Keith Seymore could help you. He worked at the GM factory.

I don't recall. I could ask my brother in law - he worked in the body shop as a welder.

I'm leaning towards the "cut at the pillar" technique (like a top chop). Seems like it would be less work, and more straightforward, than trying to emulate the factory process.

K