What would do about this roof rust?

[RoddQLD]

Do you mean a 'roll bar' Tapage?
I'm not sure how much the body would flex without the roof panel, but I'd expect a fibreglass replacement would be more than strong enough if fitted properly.

I have seen different brands of 4WDs that have rolled over and it seems quite common that there isn't much strength in the pillars on any of them. I'd feel a bit safer if there was a roll bar in mine, even though I'm fairly careful when I drive it off-road.

 

[gnx7]

Mine looks that also. The truck was 100% rust free until my buddy who I co own the truck with kept it a few hundred yards from the beach for 3 years. The clear coat on the roof/hood were shot when he bought it... and it only got worse from there as it is foggy in SF most of the time and the truck rarely was washed/hosed off.

The roof is now pretty bad like the one pictured and small spots are creeping up where the driver side door seal mates with the A-pillar. Very tiny rust bubbles in there. Hope it isn't worse.

I'm having it painted and stripped down to bare metal, all the glass taken out, doors off, rear gate, and having it completely redone. A little worried what the bodyshop will find. Luckily it is thru a friend... but I'm sure it will add to the price to do it right.... He said $2-2.5K and I let him know it has a "little" rust. I'm sure it will be more or he will be pissed off when he sees how bad it is.

The rest of the truck is rust free aside from the hood. I really like the rig... but this paint/bodywork is going to be a pretty penny.

 

[Tapage]

Do you mean a 'roll bar' Tapage?
I'm not sure how much the body would flex without the roof panel, but I'd expect a fibreglass replacement would be more than strong enough if fitted properly.

Yes sorry roll bar !

I'm not totaly sure about resistance on fiberglass roof .. aff course it depends the thickness on this .. but think is more weight .. in anycase I think roll bar are the best overall option ..

 

[sisukid1975]

It's a shame that somebody doesn't make a fibreglass replacement for the roof. It would eliminate the rust between the spotweld seams, and the panel could be made to the standard shape or a Landrover Discovery style.
Plenty of the 60's have the rust above the gutter here in Oz.. there's gotta be a market!

Make one yourself and sell it. Like you said, there has to be a market.

get a roof, coat it with "form oil" and laydown fiberglass matting over the top of the plastic. Let it cure. Pull it off the roof (your mold basically)

Degrease, gelcoat, then lay strips of fiberglass fabric over the top of the piece you made with matting. gelcoat again, sand prime and paint. (make sure you use the right primers for fiberglass)

Time consuming, but not terribly difficult to do. Be a lot faster with the pneumatic "gun" like they use in fiberglass boat factories, but you can do it by hand if you're so inclined. Working with glass isn't that bad. My dad owned corvettes so....

Fred

 

[Interpol]

Sorry to bump such an old thread, but is there any new info or better ways to take care of roof rust.

 

[Trapper50cal]

If it's extensive, I think it's still the case that replacement is the best bet. Either way, the headliner is coming out...I personally consider trucks with extensive roof rust (all along the rain gutter) to just be goners but I may just be lazy.

If it were my truck and the roof were bad...I would find a 61 bubble top that was otherwise "part-out" and implant that roof...that would be sweet.

 

[Interpol]

Thanks. Cruiseryard has a top with no rust, but shipping would kill me.

I was thinking of fixing the rust the best I can and vinyl wrapping the roof

 

[Trapper50cal]

Thanks. Cruiseryard has a top with no rust, but shipping would kill me.

I was thinking of fixing the rust the best I can and vinyl wrapping the roof

Do bedliner rather than vinyl...it will last WAY longer. Some of the roll on stuff.

As to the top from Jason...you could always try Mudship and see if someone is headed your way....just a thought.

 

[Interpol]

Thanks again. I didn't think of mudship. Ill post up a thread today.

 

[BlueCrui]

Chop the top and make it a truck! theres some threads on this idea, they actually turned out pretty awesome!