ROOF OFF?!

[cords]

you are aware that the roof is a major part of the of the vans structure

[ben]

they glue roof skins on new cars with panel bond. 2,500psi breaking strength apparently. how would that compare with spot welds?

[hotrod]

3M Panel Bonding Adhesive

[cords]

the roof skins of new cars are non structural the sub structre are as oposed to a bedford where it is a major part of the of the structrre please speak to some one in the industry face to face before you do this

[hotrod]

surely being a poptop there is already some form of structural support, all she is looking at doing is filling the hole

[cords]

generaly the pop top frame is the support, dont get me wrong glueing metal to metal would work but not so sure about fiberglass. i would get a steel roof cut joggel the edge to make a lap joint, then plug weld it in at 50mm intervals then apoxy fill over the top as it wont move like bog or glass ,or you could weld it in with silicon bronze as it has very low heat output and would reduce the chance of warpage. or if your realy insane do as i have done replace the whole roof but as has been said the drip rails have just been repaired and you would damage them doing this
im not trying to be a smart arse but this is an major componant of the van a should not be taken on lightley i have a roof section here but im a bit far away
Cheers Gav

[cords]

been thinking about this more the glue will work for a metal infill but the roof prep will be much the same as a welded joint, it will need a lap joinof 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. i would put the steep on the existing roof then sit the infill on it the only problem i can see then is geting sufficient clamping force on the sections while the glue goes off. this is why i sugest welding rather than glue. silicon bronze would be my choice as it is what is recomened for new car welded repaire as the heat out put is low enough so as not to change the temper of the high tensile steels used in todays cars.
check this thread out on ozrodders on silicone bronze welding
http://www.ozrodders.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=49302&start=0

[Poochimama]

Hmmm,OK..pass all this info on to my brothers!
Thankyou Rodder & Cords for your input&knowledge...hope the hole fill info doesnt put my brothers off,lol..I Want this box top gone,its ugly!
Cheers Groovers,
Shell-Da Poochi