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Need help with roof ideas

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by dirybyrd, Feb 19, 2009.

  1. dirybyrd
    Joined: Feb 7, 2009
    Posts: 88

    dirybyrd
    Member

    i have a 29 model a tudor with a great big sun roof................checked with Walden already and they want $1800 for a fuckin piece of sheet metal....there has got to be a cheaper way to fill the roof hole...........any suggestions would be great.........thanks
     
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2009
  2. hotrod-Linkin
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 3,382

    hotrod-Linkin
    Member

    get a ribbed roof from an early 60's chevy s/w and weld it in....they look good.
     
  3. blackout
    Joined: Jul 29, 2007
    Posts: 1,327

    blackout
    Member

    Weld 1/2" square tubing around the perimeter of the hole on the inside of the top. Weld more of the same across the opening to create "bows". Slight bends will be necessary for both. You will be able to bend then on your thigh, or a gas bottle, etc. Cut a piece of 18 gauge to fit. Tack it every 3 inches or so, ultimately welding the seam.
     
  4. tigerShark
    Joined: Oct 18, 2006
    Posts: 210

    tigerShark
    Member
    from Tampa Bay

    any van or station wagon should have enough roof.

    i might use a jeep cherokee for my 29 tudors roof.
     

  5. I'm planning to do the same with my '28 Tudor and have been eyeballing alot of modern cars' roofs, looking for a doner without ribs.

    Late model Volvo wagons (V70 and V90) appear to have about the same contour as a Model A.
     
  6. B-Ray
    Joined: Apr 11, 2008
    Posts: 194

    B-Ray
    Member

    yeah I am gonna do the same thing, there was a thread here about three weeks ago that was nothing but sedans that were filled hopefully some one will link it
     
  7. moparcory617
    Joined: Jan 25, 2009
    Posts: 56

    moparcory617
    Member
    from tuttle ok

    I have a friends dad. He took a dodge caravan top but it was ribbed. but, man a peice of metal is not that expensive you get a 4x8 sheet for 100 bucks.
     
  8. bawcoupes
    Joined: Feb 19, 2009
    Posts: 5

    bawcoupes
    Member
    from Lincoln,Ne

    I used a old station wagon with raise sections on it to fill in roof on 36 ply coupe a while back. Turned out great with the raise sections in there.
     
  9. If anyone needs a roof in CA I'm cutting up a 64 fairlane wagon, it a long roof, a shame to scrap it, but I will not ship it.
     
  10. dirybyrd
    Joined: Feb 7, 2009
    Posts: 88

    dirybyrd
    Member

    anyone know what it cost to put a vinal top back in......or is it even worth it?
     
  11. there is a tech on that on the HAMB on vinyl top inserts
    also one about a steel roof : 1 sheet, 2 guys 1 english wheel, 1 afternoon.
     
  12. Defisch
    Joined: Nov 1, 2007
    Posts: 181

    Defisch
    Member
    from Hudson FL.

    I used an 80's dodge caravan roof on my 30', theres a ton of them in the salvage yards
     
  13. i like the stock type in a model A sedan, that's what my `28 Tudor has. kit's are available from places like Synder's

    now what i have to say many of you may disagree with. every Model sedan i have ever seen with a filled roof has ended up with cracks in it a few years later. in fact , i was just at a upholstery shop ans saw a just finished `29 tudor with a filled roof....and there were cracks in the paint around where the original opening was !

    my theory is Model A Fords bodies are basically bolted together and flex a lot while driving. you weld in a rigid piece of metal in the opening and something has to give. cover that joint with bondo/filler/paint to smooth it off and you will have trouble

    just my 2 cents
     
  14. djust
    Joined: May 31, 2006
    Posts: 1,230

    djust
    Member
    from Oklahoma

    I went to a local salvage just a week ago today and found a mercury wagon from the early eighties and cut the top off and brought it home for $110.00.
    Turned it around backwards and the thing looks great sitting ontop of the car.
    I went and picked up 1/2" square tubing monday and am going to try and line it up inside the perimeter of the opening like blackout said and sit the new roof edges down ontop of the tubing for alittle support and weld it in.
    I left the original supports on it and it looks like they will work fine.
    The inside of the car is lined with 1" tubing and I plan to have it welded up to the bottom of the roof and just run afew under the roof panel to give me something to attach the headliner to.
    I hope since the tubing is connected from one subrail up to the roof and across down to the opposite subrail maybe it won't start cracking.
    I removed all the inner support and wood and replaced with tubing and the body is way stronger than it used to be.

    We will see.
     

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