New roof?

[fatheadjames]

I just acquired a 66 gmc that is in need of basically a roof skin or donor roof. Was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of a company that would sell this. I'm sure I will be asking more questions as I dig into this new project. Thanks for any help.
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[collins10672]

as far as of now the roof skin is not available in reproduction form.will have to find a good used one from a donor truck.

[Real_McCoy]

I am planning on doing a roof graft on my B-I-L's 66. Can anyone suggest the best plan of attack? Replace only damaged area or entire roof? I have a donor cab.

FatheadJames, sorry to highjack your thread.

[MailManX2]

I just replaced the roof on my 60. I took the donor roof and drilled all the spot-welds and carefully took it apart. Did the same to the roof on my truck. Of course I found more rust than I thought I had so I ended up replacing the tops of the A pillars, the areas above the doors, the inner roof panel and then the outer roof panel. I must have drilled out 10 billion dang spot-welds. It wasn't too hard to do, just had to be careful not to damage the donor roof when taking it apart.

While it was apart I gave everything I could a coat of Zero-Rust paint and put some sound deadener between the inner and outer roof panels.

Good luck...

[gulffishin]

^^^I did the same thing on my 64 this past August. Got a donor cab, drilled out the spotwelds and removed the outer panel, removed the windshield and drilled out the spot welds on inner panel. Then I removed both panels on my truck rust converted everything, re-spot welded the inner panel, stuck sound deadener between the two panels, re-spotwelded the outer panel, seam sealed everything and had someone reinstall the windshield.

It was a long hot job, but not overly complicated. I did have to get help to get the inner panels out and back in--they fit pretty tight at the A-pillars

[jbgroby]

FHJ,

You may know this already, but if not, you may want to join and post to the

Louisiana Classic Trucl Club

www.louisianaclassictruckclub.com

Let the guys know what you're looking for and "I" think one of our members has a spare junk cab.

I live in Lacombe and the club is headquartered in Hammond, LA.

We have a member close to you in Denham springs, Jeremy with a 4x4.

[fatheadjames]

Real McCoy like the others said the best route would be to drill out the spot welds and take care to do as little damage to the roof as possible when removing it and will make the job easier. That's how I do things at work when dealing with used parts.

Jbgroby I did not know about that site. Thanks for the heads up. I will join asap.
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[Real_McCoy]

At the risk of sounding totally green ( I am pretty green at body work.), what is the best way to drill the spot welds? I have not looked closely at it yet and this may be pretty straight forward, but any tips or tricks would be appreciated.

[65sublime]

I saw a real kool set of small diameter hole saws at a street rod show in Burlington, VT in September. They ran about $80 but the set looked heavy duty, very nice quality. I don't remember the name of the vendor, a welding supply outfit, maybe Airgas. I've got the info at home and will dig it up for you. I thought if I was doing another job drilling through a bunch of spot welds I'd have to get me a set.

[Real_McCoy]

Originally Posted by 65sublime

I saw a real kool set of small diameter hole saws at a street rod show in Burlington, VT in September. They ran about $80 but the set looked heavy duty, very nice quality. I don't remember the name of the vendor, a welding supply outfit, maybe Airgas. I've got the info at home and will dig it up for you. I thought if I was doing another job drilling through a bunch of spot welds I'd have to get me a set.

That would be great! I am sure my spot weld drilling is just getting started.

[MailManX2]

I use Blair Rotabroach spotweld cutter. Eastwoods sells them and they can be found at several other online tool stores.

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-skip-proo...utter-kit.html

[gulffishin]

I used a centerpunch and a cheap harbor freight spotweld cutter. I think I ended up needing 3 of them to finish they get dull after a few dozen spotwelds. I also recommend wearing gloves I got a pretty good cut on top of my thumb when the spotweld cutter slid across a panel I was cutting.
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[astrochimp]

An automatic center punch will save hours of time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_center_punch

It will allow you to center punch with one hand (vs punch and hammer).


If your spot weld cutter has replaceable teeth, buy extras before you start.

You also may want a thin chisel to break the weld apart.


David

[65sublime]

Found it! but not on Airgas site... Amazon Hougen Rotacut kit #11075 try Amazon I had it in my hands when I was at the show, looks very solid. I hope this helps! Tom

[65sublime]

Found it! but not on Airgas site... Amazon Hougen Rotacut kit #11075 try Amazon.com: Hougen 11075 RotaCut Fractional... I had it in my hands when I was at the show, looks very solid. I hope this helps! Tom

[Real_McCoy]

Thanks for the advice, guys.

[63sbssbbw]

Using tapping fluid with your cutters will help them last longer
T

[v8blaze]

IDK if you have got a roof, and im not 100% on the condition of it, but there is a complete 63 at pullapart on greenwell springs in baton rouge. full interior, body driveline etc. It didnt seem too rusted up, as i didnt see any holes. but didnt look much further past that

[Real_McCoy]

Thanks for the lead, but I have a donor truck for the roof already. It is in my shop ready for tear down. I am going to go pick up some of the bits tomorrow or Monday.