Replacing the roof on a '56
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 212
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From: Wimberley, TX
Replacing the roof on a '56
I have a '56 that I'm going to replace the roof on. I already have a replacement I got from the salvage yard.
My cab has bad cancer around the drip rail on passenger side all the way around to just past where the inside
rear view mirror attaches.
I've been studying how to go about it. It looks like I need to drill or grind the spot welds out of the drip rail and on the
inside seam in the rear.
Have any of you ever done this and if so, do you have any suggestions or advice?
My cab has bad cancer around the drip rail on passenger side all the way around to just past where the inside
rear view mirror attaches.
I've been studying how to go about it. It looks like I need to drill or grind the spot welds out of the drip rail and on the
inside seam in the rear.
Have any of you ever done this and if so, do you have any suggestions or advice?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 2
From: east central Illinois
Replacing the roof on a '56
I asked the same question a couple months ago. You can read the replies in this thread: Roof Repair?
I still haven't decided the best approach. Chopping the pillars seems more drastic but if done with a lot of attention paid to fit and measurement, it will give a good result. Drilling out the factory spot welds is another alternative. As someone pointed out to me, if the drip rail has rust, you may not solve the problem by splitting the factory seam. Hope this helps!
I still haven't decided the best approach. Chopping the pillars seems more drastic but if done with a lot of attention paid to fit and measurement, it will give a good result. Drilling out the factory spot welds is another alternative. As someone pointed out to me, if the drip rail has rust, you may not solve the problem by splitting the factory seam. Hope this helps!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Wimberley, TX
Replacing the roof on a '56
I know what you mean. In my case the cancer is all above the drip rail. Easily poke my finger thru just above, but with
a sharp awl, I can not poke down thru the drip rail and it shows no sign of rust below.
My donor was cut with a torch about half way between the drip rail and the top of the back window opening in the rear.
We wanted to leave the window opening for somebody who may need one in the future.
The front of the donor was cut a few inches down on the pillars.
My thought was use an air hammer w/panel cutting bit to remove the rusted roof. Cutting a few inches above the drip rail
and the rear seam. This should give me clearance to drill/grind the spot welds out. Then if for some reason that seems like
to formidable task, then I could look at cutting the pillars acurately and trying that approach.
One concern I have is, when I cut the roof off will the remaining parts of the cab, ie pillars stay in alignment or will there be
heck to pay to get everything lined back up to weld the donor roof skin back on?
Maybe I should tack weld some braces accross the pillars and from pillars to rear of cab before cutting the skin off to make
sure it all stays aligned correctly???
a sharp awl, I can not poke down thru the drip rail and it shows no sign of rust below.
My donor was cut with a torch about half way between the drip rail and the top of the back window opening in the rear.
We wanted to leave the window opening for somebody who may need one in the future.
The front of the donor was cut a few inches down on the pillars.
My thought was use an air hammer w/panel cutting bit to remove the rusted roof. Cutting a few inches above the drip rail
and the rear seam. This should give me clearance to drill/grind the spot welds out. Then if for some reason that seems like
to formidable task, then I could look at cutting the pillars acurately and trying that approach.
One concern I have is, when I cut the roof off will the remaining parts of the cab, ie pillars stay in alignment or will there be
heck to pay to get everything lined back up to weld the donor roof skin back on?
Maybe I should tack weld some braces accross the pillars and from pillars to rear of cab before cutting the skin off to make
sure it all stays aligned correctly???
