Im gonna be replacing my roof on my 45. Im just curious about the easiest way to do it. Take the whole hard top off then the panel or can the panel just be replaced on its own? With the sides etc. still on the truck.
Removing top roof panel (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Varty Yo
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Bear
SILVER Star
No real need to remove the upper-side panel.
However, if you are replacing your roof for rust-issues, then likely you should also take a peek at the seam between the upper panel and the lower cab rear/sides. The gasketing there, as well as the weatherstripping between the roof and the side panels, is often cracked, deteriorated, or missing after so many years. Water finds its way into those areas and then does its magic.
Watch when winding-off the roof bolts--too often they are so rusted they simply twist off--replacement with stainless bolts and anti-seize works better for future dismantling. And if your pickup truck is pre early 1970s, the mid-cab j-hooks are prone to breaking when re- latching the upper backside to the lower cab. The hooks are made of cheap pot-metal and can't take the cinching over fresh gasketing unless everything lines up perfectly. Nothing overly dramatic, just as always be prepared for something to snap or something to need replacement when you thought you'd be done quickly and back on your way.........just my two cents, anyway.
However, if you are replacing your roof for rust-issues, then likely you should also take a peek at the seam between the upper panel and the lower cab rear/sides. The gasketing there, as well as the weatherstripping between the roof and the side panels, is often cracked, deteriorated, or missing after so many years. Water finds its way into those areas and then does its magic.
Watch when winding-off the roof bolts--too often they are so rusted they simply twist off--replacement with stainless bolts and anti-seize works better for future dismantling. And if your pickup truck is pre early 1970s, the mid-cab j-hooks are prone to breaking when re- latching the upper backside to the lower cab. The hooks are made of cheap pot-metal and can't take the cinching over fresh gasketing unless everything lines up perfectly. Nothing overly dramatic, just as always be prepared for something to snap or something to need replacement when you thought you'd be done quickly and back on your way.........just my two cents, anyway.
- Thread starter
- #3
Ok great info thanks. I'm not restoring it right now I just have a "newer" top without holes in it I wanna throw on for now so I can drive it if it rains haha.
Hey I know this is an old post, but can you share what challenge it presents if the bolts break? I want to soak mine in a good break free product but in the event that I break one head off, what will I need to do?
Thanks
Bear
SILVER Star
Sergio,
There are a number of captive nuts that when bolted, hold the roof to the upper back panel and to the door headers. Some of the nuts are on the door headers, most are inside the top of the rear panel. As with everything else that's bolted together on the body, expect to have at least some bolts snap-off, no matter how much care you use. The roof WILL come off the panel. The broken bolts need drilled out and retapped; some folks use heat and weld nuts to the broken studs to help.
As mentioned, if you, or the next owner, want to dismantle or remove the roof/panel in the future, consider using antiseize and stainless bolts when reassembling.
Good luck !
There are a number of captive nuts that when bolted, hold the roof to the upper back panel and to the door headers. Some of the nuts are on the door headers, most are inside the top of the rear panel. As with everything else that's bolted together on the body, expect to have at least some bolts snap-off, no matter how much care you use. The roof WILL come off the panel. The broken bolts need drilled out and retapped; some folks use heat and weld nuts to the broken studs to help.
As mentioned, if you, or the next owner, want to dismantle or remove the roof/panel in the future, consider using antiseize and stainless bolts when reassembling.
Good luck !
.... no need grease works.
.....accurate: Copper paste.
Last edited:
