Cab roof replacement

[jilong]

I am new to the board and just recently purchased a 1970 C20. It has the normal issues with rust on the rockers but it also has issues with the roof.

I can buy the replacement outer skin to fix a rust issue on the top front, but there is an issue with the back of the cab as seen in the image.

My question is how would I go about trying to repair that? Would it be trying to find a donor cab and cutting out that section to replace?

[custom10nut]

It's not something I would try myself, but it can be done using a donor roof. Seperate the donor roof below the weld seams, separate them, then on your truck carefully separate the spot welds, and then carefully put them back together..
Though this sounds simple, it requires a lot of skill and patience to get it right.

[Grumpy old man]

Find a complete cab replacement , if it's that bad on top the bottom could be a lot worse ?
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[irl104]

Repair it. It doesn't look that bad.

[chewychevy67]

Sounds like new car syndrome here. Replace don't repair lol. I am having my roof replaced because of op butchering with cab lights, not because of rust. You can buy the whole roof new. I did. Haven't got to that point yet and I know it's not easy but surely can be done. Besides then I can seal the metal on the inside as well.

[randy500]

Pics for op

[randy500]

Side piece

[Shaky]

Click on my C20 build link below.

[randy500]

Originally Posted by Shaky

Click on my C20 build link below.

For the OP and me, did you use the 3M panel adhesive, part number 8115, what are your thoughts on how it worked out? What areas did you use it? Pinch weld at back window too?

[Shaky]

Originally Posted by randy500

For the OP and me, did you use the 3M panel adhesive, part number 8115, what are your thoughts on how it worked out? What areas did you use it? Pinch weld at back window too?

Well, I relied on my buddy to do it since I'm not much of a welder. He used a 2-part 3M adhesive, but I don't remember the product number. The pics below shows where it was welded and where glued (clamps). He said that he experienced "bleed through" with the adhesive before and that's why he welded that one open section.

It's been a few years now, but the truck's not complete. I haven't seen any problem with the glued sections. From what I've seen of adhesives on aircraft, I have no reservations about the strength of the glue, as long as the prep is good and the adhesive is within the use-by date.

[randy500]

Originally Posted by Shaky

Well, I relied on my buddy to do it since I'm not much of a welder. He used a 2-part 3M adhesive, but I don't remember the product number. The pics below shows where it was welded and where glued (clamps). He said that he experienced "bleed through" with the adhesive before and that's why he welded that one open section.

It's been a couple of years now, but the truck's not complete. I haven't seen any problem with the glued sections. From what I've seen of adhesives on aircraft, I have no reservations about the strength of the glue, as long as the prep is good and the adhesive is within the use-by date.

Good info there and it looks like he glued the pinch weld. My buddy owns a big shop and he told me its the way to go so I bought it, probably do it here in a few weeks. I read your build thread and noticed you lifted the cab up with a car lift at the door opening so I guess it worked out really well.

BTW, beautiful black paint job on that truck.

[special-K]

I've seen plenty western trucks with upper cab rot and no or minimal lower. If we toss all the cabs that need repaired to replace with better cabs we will end up with no better cabs. I figure a truck with a good cab is a better truck than one with a cab that can't be fixed.