Is there an easy fix for these bowed in ribs? I'm no welder, so about the only fix would be to drop bolts through the roof...and mar my lovely roof patina!
Put body panel adhesive on them and then use a few 2x4s and a few bottle jacks to push them back up to the roof and allow the adhesive to set? Just don't over do it with the jack.
Cut some replacements from a donor van in the junkyard. When cutting them out be sure to cut and leave some extra metal on the ends of the replacements. Cut your bent ones out flush on the ends and support the replacements like Shaggy said, securing them thru the extra metal on the ends into the existing metal. There should be enough gap along the ledge there on each side for some short, stout screws without penetrating the outside body. My 2%
Last edited by CatFish; March 07th 2018 10:15 am. Reason: kant spel
I think you got an idea there, Catfish. Shaggy, the issue with your idea is that a PO tried to gorilla glue the ribs back up or something, there's a foamy adhesive underneath which would need removal. Not that I hadn't planned to do this anyway, but removing the ribs makes the job easier. I could probably cut some tabs, get the edges to interlock somewhat, and combine both ideas here with screws and adhesive... Anybody know if it's easy to color match Chevy paint?
SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS '93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB '92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB
That expanding foam crap is what Chevy used at the factory. Just glue them back up using strong adhesive, like shaggy suggests.
The reason the manufacturer uses that "foam crap" is to allow the exterior panel some slight movement compared to the inner brace (for thermal expansion without buckling the skin). Perhaps not as critical on a van roof panel, but let the hood on your new car or truck buckle in the heat, and you'll feel differently about it.
Tell me about it, gotta be a damn computer engineer to work on a new car. Give me a carburetor any day.
Regarding the foam crap, Dodge used something like a rubberized plastic or firm-curing caulk to attach their van ribs to the roof. Fancy stuff that takes paint, and tougher than the GM stuff. I gotta see if it can be had anymore...
Last edited by Miyagi; March 08th 2018 3:26 pm. Reason: Got overeager