I have serious rot above the drip rail on my '56 and I've been planning to have it cut and patched. Another Forum member suggested I check to see if anyone has either usable roof patch sections or a cheap donor before I have the work done.

I'm also open to other suggestions.

Ideas, guys?

 

Too bad we are so far apart, I have a couple of parts trucks with rusty bodies but I believe they have decent drip rails. Here everything rusts from the bottom because of the road salt, most topside sheet metal isn`t bad.
Nice update on your gallery by the way.

 

Are all 1953 - 1956 the same as far as the roofs? (why is it blocking years now??)

 

Well, the drip rail is good.. go figger... what I need is about 1/2 inch above that.

Odd, no?

 

The 53-55 slant cabs are all the same but the 56 is different. I would imagine that pieces could be cut from a slant cab roof that had a similar curve but it probably wouldn't be worth the effort considering how easy it would be to shape new metal to fit.

The reason the drip rails are still OK is that the rails are a seperate piece of metal from the roof, they are actually sandwiched inbetween the top and side panels. The roof metal at the seam with the rail is stretched from the bend and is more susceptible to rust-through.

There are used roofs available but you have to watch for them. I had one lined up in MN but the cost of shipping was too much to justify buying it for a spare. However, if my roof was shot I would have spent the extra money to get that one shipped. With all the reproduction fenders, doors, etc being manufactured these days you would think that someone would have already been stamping roof panels...good luck.

 

Someone here did that repair a year ago or six.
Ferggy comes to mind. (Ain't that scary?)
Ya might want to shoot him. A PM, I mean.

 

I've got the same problem with my 56 F-250 - about 2 inches of the roof is rusted through above the drip rail. I haven't started bending metal yet since there are a couple of ridges in the roof that I'd have to match.

 

Ferg here!

I saved 12 inch wide strips from the center ( F to B and S to S) of my old cab to use when I chopped my "new" cab. For your problem however, if I was in your shoes (but I don't wear woman's clothes - Penn Dick) I would just buy a piece of 18 gauge sheet metal and shape the pieces I needed.

I know someone makes a fiberglass roof panel but that would be one whole pile of work.

 

You can buy dip rail for Mack truck,just the rail

 

I have a '56 same problem, rot above the drip rail, to many curves for a novice like me, talked to a rep for Por 15 and went with their floor repair kit, cleaned sealed used the kit then a thin coat of bondo, looks great.
So I guess if you belive in Por 15 products this is a inexpensive repair, compared to hiring it done.

 

Nuthin, from everything Ive seen and read..... it looks to me like the cab corner patches will fit the roof AT LEAST AS WELL as they fit on the cab corners.
Thank you.... thank you! I'm here all week, tip your wait-staff. You're too kind!
Seriously? Dont forget the possiblity of a roof section relay. I'd help out if the piece came through my nape of the neck errr..... neck of the woods.

 

If its possible to get a fibreglass turret(roof section) why would you not cut 2"(.50ml) above or below damaged area and remore the offending rust section then PREPARE THE AREA PROPERLYand then what you guy's call bondo it or use URETHANE as most vehicle turrets (roofs) are fitted that way these days,therefor not a great distressing way to go,dem's my thoughts and I,m allowed too...alieneffie

 

Older VW Bugs have the roof crowns that are useful for patching all sorts of things.
Start cruisn' the old roads looking for Junk Yards and Gully and Wash fills.

 

Since the price of scrap iron has gone through the roof, you won't find many old cars in gulleys or sitting out in the woods around here anymore.
Jeff

 

So THAT'S what causes the rust... it's all our money flying out of our pockets