Help! roof problems

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Nov 19, 2003 | 09:50 PM

Gunsmoke460

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From: Kyle, Texas

Help! roof problems

ok, in my 83 F-250 ive got a bit of a cab problem. the old cargo light was broken off years ago before i was given the truck by my father, and water got in, and it rusted inside the cab.

normally, i wouldnt have a problem, but this is a work truck model and it has an inner metal roof instead of a headliner, and the rust im talking about is inbetween the two panels, so i cant get at it.

unfortunately, the rust made itself a small hole that is now sealed with rtv, but the whole thing is starting to pit and the paint is giving through to rust and i really dont know how to get at the inside and stop the rusting. what i really would like to do is just get another roof panel somehow but i cant find information anywhere on doing that, or where i could find a new roof panel. the outer one is the worst shape, i think if theres a way i could get it off i could treat the inner one.

the only cheap fix i can really think of is to find some kind of panel to fit over most of the cab roof surface area, cut out the old one, treat the inside, and somehow put the new one on. im only a little concerned about looks, but really concerned about price.

anyone got any ideas? thanks, Dave

Nov 20, 2003 | 03:13 AM

zanny

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From: Cincinnati, Ohio

How about, going to the bone yard. And getting a sun roof.
Cut in the sun roof. While you have the sun roof hole open, treat the rust. And then install the sun roof.
zanny

Nov 24, 2003 | 04:55 PM

Gunsmoke460

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From: Kyle, Texas

i have no money for a sunroof, and i would probably break the thing within a couple of weeks anyways, but thanks for the reply

Dave

Nov 24, 2003 | 05:02 PM

parks911

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From: Georgia

The only thing I can think of is replacing the roof section of the cab.
You can get these rather cheap from salvage yards & most of them will cut them out of the donor truck for you. (I just bought a whole roof for a F-150 for $125.00)

Ofcourse your roof will have to be cut off also & have a good body man weld the new one in for you.

This reply is posted with the understanding that the roof on his truck is rusted

Nov 25, 2003 | 03:32 PM

Gunsmoke460

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From: Kyle, Texas

im thinking maybe instead of buying another roof i could use some sheet metal and cut out a large replacement section myself as im a pretty decent welder. Ive never done anything like this to a cab roof before, as most of my welding experience is building things out of thicker metal such as trailers, headache racks and bumpers. Its just a work truck really so i suppose it would look decent enough for that. Parks, what kinda procedure for prepping and installing your replacement roof did you use?

Thanks, Dave

Nov 25, 2003 | 04:13 PM

parks911

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From: Georgia

Quote:

Originally posted by Gunsmoke460
Parks, what kinda procedure for prepping and installing your replacement roof did you use?

Thanks, Dave

I haven't done it yet. Hopefully soon I will. I found another roof section for $125.00 but before I go pick it up I might look at replacing the cab or I wonder what a convertible F-150 would look like?
This is how she looks right now & I'm still driving it here & there.

Hey, maybe what you need is still good on mine & I can send it to ya when it is cut out.

Dec 3, 2003 | 04:31 PM

Gunsmoke460

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From: Kyle, Texas

Wow, looks like you got a bigger problem on your hands than i do. Good luck on your project, and thanks for the info. Oh... and keep me posted on what you do im curious to see how it turns out

Dave