Removing '71 Dart roof skin...what's involved?

[Propwash]

Hey gent's,

I have a Dart headed my way soon with a rotten roof skin. I do have a donor roof to pick up and am wondering what's involved.

I do know the glass will need to come out and the spot welds drilled out in the front and rear window openings for the skin. Also know about the C-pillar quarter to roof skin transition that has lead to be melted out and spot welds removed, but how about in the drip rails? Do I just need to worry about the spot welds that run down the drip rail gutters to the A-Pillar and back towards the rear, or will I need to remove the entire drip rail panel to remove the skin?

Thanks for your time.

 

[Woods74]

Search function does work ya'know?

 

[Propwash]

Thanks for the tip

 

[Tinbasher]

You might consider replacing the entire roof with the donor one.
A cut through the windshield posts at the front, and the back cut you would need to figure out but it's not all that difficult. And probably quicker than removing two roof skins and welding one back on. I know it's feasible because I've done it a number of times when I was in the autobody trade.

 

[Propwash]

Thanks Tin. Appreciate it. I did think about that being drilling out spotwelds wouldn't be considered a treat by any means. A couple things on my radar about that would be how to ensure the proper angle of the cut all the way through through the skin and the internal framing. Angled 10 degrees from the outside could easily be 1/2" offset on the inside. Would there be an internal reference like openings in the framing that could be used to gauge that? Another would be i'm typically a one man show...I would imagine when it comes to setting the roof, I would either need to employ several folks to hold, or weld up a movable jig. Any advice you could lend on setting the roof? Thanks again

 

[1968FormulaS340]

When you start cutting the a pillars you are creating an unneeded structural repair.

If the car just needs a roof skin, just do the skin. That's my opinion and I am a professional collision repair technician.

 

[68383GTS]

Yes just replace the skin.

 

[Woods74]

The reason I mention it is this has be covered before man. Don't patronize what I say.

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=225212

 

[Propwash]

The reason I mention it is this has be covered before man. Don't patronize what I say.

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=225212

I didn't patronize anything. I said thanks for the tip, and you took it all wrong apparently. Sorry you took it as some kind of attack.

How about this.....I don't want or need your help/drama. Hope that is clear enough for you.



Anyways, to the other fella's that posted, I appreciate your input and see your point as far as digging into the car's structural integrity. Obviously a big move with more thought put into it vs. just drilling out welds.

 

[2 Darts]

Easy, guys.

I've had to do two roof jobs. (Ask me what I think of vinyl roofs.) The Demon had structural issues with the A-pillars. The Dart Custom had no structural issues. In both cases, I took as much material as I could get with my trusty Sawzall. I turned my harvests over to my body guys.

My point is since you're paying for a roof you may as well get all that you can in terms of the material. IMO, It's better to let the body guys decide what they don't need than have to go out for another roof because you don't have all the material that is needed.

 

[Propwash]

I hear ya 2 Darts.. Vinyl tops are like a curse. I've been told that the A-Bodies were basically just primed under the roof, which would obviously contribute to certain death. I could be wrong through, just going off what someone else is saying.


As far as the work, I'll be doing it myself. I do live in the rustbelt so I am use to doing structural repairs such as frame rails, crossmembers and other components, but up to this point I have only had to worry about patching or pulling dents out of roofs. I'm headed to Bowling Green Kentucy next week to saw off the roof, so I guess that will be a good time to gauge one way or the other.


Thanks again guys!

 

[Tinbasher]

Propwash:

Sent you a pm. My typing is too slow for long discussions

 

[grassy]

Easy, guys.

I've had to do two roof jobs. (Ask me what I think of vinyl roofs.) The Demon had structural issues with the A-pillars. The Dart Custom had no structural issues. In both cases, I took as much material as I could get with my trusty Sawzall. I turned my harvests over to my body guys.

My point is since you're paying for a roof you may as well get all that you can in terms of the material. IMO, It's better to let the body guys decide what they don't need than have to go out for another roof because you don't have all the material that is needed.

Crumbs...I would run as fast as I could from that car...btw, did you ever think of making it into a 'vert ?

 

[2 Darts]

Crumbs...I would run as fast as I could from that car.

LOL. Don't think I haven't considered it. I knew what it could be and what I wanted. Sometimes I've had to pull up my big boy pants, tighten the belt, and plow through. Results have been worth it (see below.)

..btw, did you ever think of making it into a 'vert ?

I didn't think much about it. I remembered how the convertible cowls would shake with the thread of dumping the windshield in your lap. When we cut the roof off the Demon, I wondered why Chrysler didn't do it. There was no A-body convertible in 72.

 

[grassy]

2 darts,

You have more fortitude than I and if the petty blue at the bottom of your message is the same car, then I am wowed !

Ian.