roof on my 85...bad news

[exilous]

Ok so on my c30 i got from my uncle it was a roofing dump truck so all the people tarping it used to walk on the roof.I figured out a solution to the cracks and stuff on the interior. I modified a headliner setup from a K5 blazer and got that in there. But the exterior skin is a freaking mountain range. e used ot put plywood ont he roof and when peoepl walekd on it it squished the cab lights down. they didnt break but it made them lean forward thusly caving the front part of the roof in. And the back part of the roof just being walked on stretched the metal so bad it has so much "oil canning" effects its horrible I don't know where to begin. I'm teaching myself how to fix this truck as I go but this is just out of my league. worse comes to worse if i screw it up i have a good roof on my 78 which should be the same I can attempt to cut that and weld that on but I have a feeling that would be very hard to do. If anyone has any ideas, where should I begin what should I do...io don't have much in the line of tools besides the welder I just bought a basic set of body tools i got and wrenches adn ratchets. I don't have an oxy/acetylene torch i do plan on getting one but i don't have the funds right now for that.

[hotrod24]

pics please we will be able to see and help your out more

[Blazin]

Well torches are very seldom used in body work. As far as a new roof I would most likely do a roof skin not cut the whole roof off and replace with a used one. Either way straiten or replace it is a pretty good job. 

[VileZambonie]

Use spell check when you type a post. It'll make it easier for everyone to read.

Get yourself one of these http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3223

[Blazin]

I have that exact same unispot / welder, bought it from Harbor Freight. It works great.

[80stepsideguy]

Just remember , once you get the roof the way you like it your gonna end up bodyfilling the entire roof to get it straight.If your really wanting to get creative do a roof swap.Cut a roof from another cab and weld it and graft it into your cab. It will take some time but you`ll save yourself all the time to try n fix the roof.

Just a thought but if you don't feel comfortable doing that i say use the tool blazin reccomends ,i use that tool a lot  doing bodywork as well and it works great, it shrinks the metalat the same time welding a stud to yank the dents out..

thanks
pat

[exilous]

Ya a few people suggested buying one of those tools. I do have a 1978 truck that has a good roof on it in excellent shape. I talked to a guy a few days ago that bought some blazer parts off me. He said I could buy a new reproduction skin. I have never seen one anywhere I have looked maybe I haven't looked hard enough. Anyone know if they still make these? I know   doesnt offer them i've looked in there. I will get some pics tomorrow of the roof.

[hotrod24]

no man i can not say i have or anyone has only way you are going to find that is if you go to a junk yard and cut the skin yourself

[HAULIN IT]

If you check aftermarket & don't find one, check with a local Chevy dealer. I bought one about 10 years ago, they may be discontinued by now...the price wasn't too bad, I'm thinking it was a little under $200. It will be MUCH easier to install a new skin than to take one off of another cab & install it on yours. The roof skin on our trucks isn't much more than a "baseball cap"...it keeps the sun & rain off of your head, not a structural part like many newer vehicles. You could get a new skin, drill/cut/grind yours off & use adhesive made for metal & make a good repair. Lorne 

[hotrod24]

nice save man i have not ever seen one but i was 15 ten years ago lol

[exilous]

Alright I posted pics of my roof in the thread I started on the project.
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11944.0
I spent 5 hours working on the thing today and it got its shape back but its littered with small dents and small ripples. I think I can just bondo them up no problem. I amde a couple pullers no weld on pullers though.  I would assume the only way I can get small dents out would be to get weld on thing to pull them? I will get some pics up of the finished product tomorrow i left my camera at my shop.