Suburban roof replacment

[YakkoWarner]

I got my very clean bodied (but not running) 1989 3/4 ton Burb for $2500. It needed help mechanically but I bought it mainly because the body was absolutely rust free despite some dings and hail dents. That was a rare deal though, I keep my eye out and havn't seen one for that low again. Saw a 91 1500 Silverado trim with some nice custom interior stuff for $3500 listed last week but had some surface patina/rust on the rooftop...

 

[w-cummins]

So I got the manuals today. And it's not going to be that bad. There are areas that require a bunch of spot welds, BUT they are all in places I'm not going to have to do any! Above the front window and the back above the doors are where the vast majority of spot welds are! looks like w/o those it will be around a 100 spot welds to replace it, and the seams are brazed up, so heat and melt them off! I like the idea to cut the roof off and then remove the inside of the "new" roof and the outside of the base truck by grinding the metal away from the back sides of the spots and not drill them out. Then I will spot weld them back up just like GM did as I now have the exact welding location points.

 

[saltdog]

Cant wait for the pics

 

[m4chine]

@w-cummins how did this replacement go? I have a roof in much worse condition than yours. My '88 V10 factory roof rack studs all rusted out on me, plus I have the same front/rear door jam rot. I have a '83 2500 donor. Just trying to plan my attack.

 

[saltdog]

Yeah- how is that repair going? Glad my roof is in better than than @w-cummins and @m4chine YIPES!

 

[89Suburban]

@w-cummins how did this replacement go? I have a roof in much worse condition than yours. My '88 V10 factory roof rack studs all rusted out on me, plus I have the same front/rear door jam rot. I have a '83 2500 donor. Just trying to plan my attack.

Holy swiss cheese Batman!!!