shaving the roof rack

[MikeRenz]

Just wondering...for those who have shaved their own roof rack - how did you do it. What method/technique did you use to fill all the holes.

I have a way that i came up with this weekend, but want to see what others have done.



Personally...I decided to weld all the holes shut. I stripped the rear interior as much as necessary

Then had my trusted sidekick hold a flat piece of brass against the holes outside of the truck as i welded the holes shut. This seemed to cut down the amount of flattening grinding needed on the outside of the truck afterward.

One problem with welding from the inside of the truck, is that some of the holes are obstructed by the roof strenghtening/bracing towards the rear (the second to last screw holes). So i welded these from the outside without any brass backing to control the fill.

So when all said and done...it took way longer to strip the interior than to weld the holes. But at least no burnt headliner or scorched carpet/seats.

so is this what others have done? Or did you just stick some gum underneath and skim some bondo up top? Or what? Just curious.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: shaving the roof rack

I was expecting to see a tractor in this thread

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: shaving the roof rack

I was expecting to see a tractor in this thread

heh...well it was the same day :lol: After welding up the legs on the mock up frame, i attacked the roof

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: shaving the roof rack

cool, i want to do the same and this is the same method that i have heard of.

 

[Jimmy]

Re: shaving the roof rack

You might as well just weld the doors shut and make it into a giant aquarium.

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: shaving the roof rack

You might as well just weld the doors shut and make it into a giant aquarium.

i do like to sit in a typhoon from time to time. That would hinder me doing that.

 

[Jamerjoe]

Re: shaving the roof rack

Looking good man. Thats what I did. Make sure you cover up the side and rear windows or it will blow out when a hot amber sicks to the glass. It happen to me, but I have new clear windows going in anyway.

 

[2500avalanche]

Re: shaving the roof rack

Renz,
When you welded the holes for the rack, what was the setting on the welder? Did you use flux or gas for the mig?
THanks:tup:

Just wondering...for those who have shaved their own roof rack - how did you do it. What method/technique did you use to fill all the holes.

I have a way that i came up with this weekend, but want to see what others have done.



Personally...I decided to weld all the holes shut. I stripped the rear interior as much as necessary

Then had my trusted sidekick hold a flat piece of brass against the holes outside of the truck as i welded the holes shut. This seemed to cut down the amount of flattening grinding needed on the outside of the truck afterward.

One problem with welding from the inside of the truck, is that some of the holes are obstructed by the roof strenghtening/bracing towards the rear (the second to last screw holes). So i welded these from the outside without any brass backing to control the fill.

So when all said and done...it took way longer to strip the interior than to weld the holes. But at least no burnt headliner or scorched carpet/seats.

so is this what others have done? Or did you just stick some gum underneath and skim some bondo up top? Or what? Just curious.

 

[bezerk]

Re: shaving the roof rack

just wondering if you heat doesn't warp the roof.. isn't it better to solder them shut? atleast you are able to take the solder out if these become high $$ trucks. and must be converted to 100% stock :lol:

 

[2500avalanche]

Re: shaving the roof rack

just wondering if you heat doesn't warp the roof.. isn't it better to solder them shut? atleast you are able to take the solder out if these become high $$ trucks. and must be converted to 100% stock :lol:

would solder hold?

 

[REVEREND HARMON]

Re: shaving the roof rack

That poor poor ty :squint:

 

[bezerk]

Re: shaving the roof rack

would solder hold?

why not, they use that stuff to fill welds...because you can't welt all the way around, on body panels..they call it ''schorching'' or soemthing?

 

[MikeRenz]

Re: shaving the roof rack

Renz,
When you welded the holes for the rack, what was the setting on the welder? Did you use flux or gas for the mig?
THanks:tup:

i have no clue what my settings were at. Not very hot, and not very fast though..otherwise you'll warp the hell outta the metal. I used gas.

 

[foxracin23]

Re: shaving the roof rack

the way u did it is the correct way to shave a roof rack the same way that I've done my last 2 bagged and bodydropped blazers and use some tigerhair bodyfiller for ur first coat. Then use bondo. The tigerhair filler is like bondo but instead has fiber glass hair in it

 

[bezerk]

Re: shaving the roof rack

the way u did it is the correct way to shave a roof rack the same way that I've done my last 2 bagged and bodydropped blazers and use some tigerhair bodyfiller for ur first coat. Then use bondo. The tigerhair filler is like bondo but instead has fiber glass hair in it

it's a way of doing it. there are more ways than 1 to do something correct. this is really not undoable. with solder it will be.

 

[hatrik8]

Re: shaving the roof rack

You might as well just weld the doors shut and make it into a giant aquarium.

i do like to sit in a typhoon from time to time. That would hinder me doing that.

Not really, just buy a wetsuit. :rotf:

 

[Static]

Re: shaving the roof rack

I used copper instead of brass when I shaved the rack off my wagon. Use low heat to keep from warping.

 

[foxracin23]

Re: shaving the roof rack

it's a way of doing it. there are more ways than 1 to do something correct. this is really not undoable. with solder it will be.

Solder is not as strong as welding it body has to flex and solder can crack easier. And anything is undoable if you have the right tools

 

[bezerk]

Re: shaving the roof rack

Solder is not as strong as welding it body has to flex and solder can crack easier. And anything is undoable if you have the right tools

solder the bolt holes. don't see they would flex or crack or why they would crack. the bolts don't turn loose over time.

 

[2500avalanche]

Re: shaving the roof rack

I would be worried about it cracking if you used bondo or a similar material. BEcause of the flexing.
I know it is stupid, but would JBWeld work?
Or a epoxy? Or devcon, retort cement?