Van body roof removed, pictures.

Discuss Bodywork problems here.
Forum rules
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
Post Reply
dean36014
Minor Friendly
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:11 pm
Location: Coventry
MMOC Member: No

Van body roof removed, pictures.

Post by dean36014 »

Well after some advise from you all I decided to remove the van body roof today, something I've been putting off. As I can't actually afford a fibreglass roof ATM I wanted to get it of(the roof skin) undamaged as much as possible so I had the option of replacing the gutters and re-using the roof skin if it wasn't too bad. i know there is work to do on the frame under the roof so at least i can crack on with this while i weigh up the options.
General opinion was to drill out the spot welds, a good option but I couldn't see them, so a new plan was formed involving Iain's idea but with no saw as i haven't got one,so much use of the angle grinder ;D
Basically i grinded the edge of the guttering away allowing me too see the two panels, gutters and roof skin. More careful grinding underneath the gutter revealed the spot welds, and then ground them fully away. As a section was released packers were put in holding them apart.

Image
Large sections didn't need grinding as they were rotten :o
Image
Eventually it was nearly all released and ready to lift off.
Image
And after a bit of a struggle due to access the final bit was released and the roof lifted clears
Image
Some work to do on the frame but not as much as I thought 8-)
Image
Image
Quick lunch break and back to clean off the remains of the gutters.
Top
alex_holden
Minor Legend
Posts: 3798
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:46 am
Location: Burnley
MMOC Member: No

Post by alex_holden »

Well done. That doesn't look irreparable to me. :)
ImageImage
Alex Holden - http://www.alexholden.net/
If it doesn't work, you're not hitting it with a big enough hammer.
Top
PSL184
Minor Legend
Posts: 4978
Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 5:49 pm
Location: Nuneaton
MMOC Member: No

Post by PSL184 »

Looks nice and honest - Good work there :-)
[sig]8426[/sig]

Compare the Minors - Simples !! http://mog.myfreeforum.org/index.php
Top
dean36014
Minor Friendly
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:11 pm
Location: Coventry
MMOC Member: No

Post by dean36014 »

One rail cleaned up.
Image
It was alot more solid than i was expecting, although there will be a few repairs needed to the roof skin itself. At the moment I'm think of repairing it properly rather than a fibreglass roof. The cost difference will be nearly £180, plus the hassle of having to fetch the roof itself. Time i have alot of, money not unfortunately. That money saved would buy all the brake components needed.
Top
alex_holden
Minor Legend
Posts: 3798
Joined: Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:46 am
Location: Burnley
MMOC Member: No

Post by alex_holden »

And it means you get to keep the proper original steel roof too! :)
ImageImage
Alex Holden - http://www.alexholden.net/
If it doesn't work, you're not hitting it with a big enough hammer.
Top
bmcecosse
Minor Maniac
Posts: 46561
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:24 pm
Location: ML9
MMOC Member: No

Post by bmcecosse »

Well done - and great pictures. Now I understand how the van roof goes together! Have you got replacement gutters ? Can you post up more pics please as you fit the gutters - and refit the roof ??
ImageImage
Image
Top
dean36014
Minor Friendly
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:11 pm
Location: Coventry
MMOC Member: No

Post by dean36014 »

Will do, but need to save up for the parts first :cry: .
Top
bmcecosse
Minor Maniac
Posts: 46561
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:24 pm
Location: ML9
MMOC Member: No

Post by bmcecosse »

I know the feeling! Are the gutters readily available ?
ImageImage
Image
Top
dean36014
Minor Friendly
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:11 pm
Location: Coventry
MMOC Member: No

Post by dean36014 »

Yes from a member on here. I'll have to go and pay a trip over there sometime.
Top
IaininTenbury
Minor Legend
Posts: 1675
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:09 am
Location: Worcestershire
MMOC Member: Yes

Post by IaininTenbury »

Yes, looks good work. If you can save the steel roof, its cheaper than buying a GRP one and its still original and steel!
cheers
Iain
Fairmile Restorations.

'49 MM, '53 convertible, '55 van, and a '64 van.

Marina p.u., '56 Morris Isis Traveller, a '59 Morris JB van, a'66 J4 van, a '54 Land Rover, Land Rover 130, Renault 5, '36Railton, '35 Hudson, a Mk1 Transit and a Sherpa Camper...

A car can be restored at any time, but is only original once!
Top
LouiseM
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4417
Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2005 5:11 pm
Location: London
MMOC Member: No

Post by LouiseM »

BMC - Gutters are available from here:

http://www.fairmilerestorations.co.uk/pages/minor.php


Eric - 1971 Traveller
Top
bmcecosse
Minor Maniac
Posts: 46561
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:24 pm
Location: ML9
MMOC Member: No

Post by bmcecosse »

Yes - I know that! Was just checking if there are any other sources, since up until last week I understood they weren't available anywhere!
ImageImage
Image
Top
Longdog
Minor Fan
Posts: 431
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:39 pm
Location: Bournemouth & St Vran, Merdrignac
MMOC Member: No

Post by Longdog »

Nice restoration work
[sig]6530[/sig]
Top
dunketh
Minor Legend
Posts: 1401
Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2005 12:16 pm
Location: Trowbridge, Wilts
MMOC Member: No

Post by dunketh »

Wow. I never realised the roof was assembled like this, almost designed to be 'removable'.
Raises the option of putting higher roofs on (camper, chairman type thing) too.
What would Macgyver do..?
Image
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Bodywork”