rust repair on roof?

[prime mover]

A truck I'm lookin at buyin has rust through on both sides right above the drip rail, is this a hard fix? can I cut the roof off of another truck and install it or patch it with pieces of another truck? I looked all over the bottom and didnt see any rust underneath, front cab mounts look goodits from the beach which explains it. any advice?

[bigbassmann]

You may be able to just cut out all the rusted material and make patch panels to fix the problem area. It depends on the extent of damage as to how hard it will be to fix, it also depends on your welding and bodywork ability.

[bluef250]

With all the good clean, rust free trucks why ask for a project. Unless you want and need a body project, the price is right - very, very cheep, and the mechanics of the truck are excellent.

[bigbassmann]

With all due respect Blue, isn't that what these old trucks are all about. No matter how good the condition there is always something that needs attention. Besides, some of us like the idea of taking something less than perfect and fixing it up so when it is finished we can say "Look, I did that and doesn't it look great!"

[FORDification]

I agree that working on and fixing up these trucks is half the fun of owning them....but man! Fixing the dreaded driprail rust (and doing it right) is a LOT of work. If you've got a very well-equipped shop (with air tools) and are handy with a MIG, then it might not be so bad, but if you're just 'winging it' in the driveway with a basic toolbox, then maybe you should try to find something that'll require a little less work. Like bigbassmann said, it depends on your situation and experience, though....if you don't mind the work and learning as you go, and the bottom side is as good as you say, then it's do-able.

I was getting started on doing the same thing to my cab with that same rust all along the front, even cut a nice patch panel to go all the way around the cab...but I've found a better cab to use now. In case you want it, the patch panel I cut out of a good cab is available and has been sand-blasted. You can see some before-blasting pics of it on the following page:

http://www.fordification.com/my67-p18.htm

[bigbassmann]

Man Keith, that was some serious rust you were dealing with. I agree, if it is that bad a better cab would definitely be the way to go unless you are a glutton for punishment.

[prime mover]

I drove the truck last night and it has everything I want except the rust, dual tanks,disc brakes,P/S,A/C. I'm pretty competent at bodywork but dont own a mig right now, I'm thinking about either throwing another cab on it or transplating the roof from half way up the windshield post, the crappy 72 f100 I was trying to sell is a sport custom too so I can just part it out for this one.

[prime mover]

so now the question is there anything to look out for changing the cab? diff between 70-72? all the trim looks good cause there both sport customs.

[4x4x4crewcab]

Prime Mover you might look in to something like this process. I have seen a demonstration from a shop here in town. Very cool You may see if someone in your area uses this system. I believe it will work well for this repair although you would want something to neutralize the rust from the inside http://www.rustbusters.com/

[FormerMarine1981]

Anyone on here use these before? What is the verdict, good repair or quick fix??

[Lucky13]

Keith -
I'd be interested in that roof patch panel, I sent you a PM and will follow up with an email if I don't hear from you.

[mrsnicks]

I'm curious about the RustBuster guys... but they do have a location in Gulf NC.

Prime if the truck is that good, minus the rust in the cab, get it. I just picked up a great cab with no rust in the roof area and am going to swap it out.

It isn't that hard of a swap and 1968-1972 will work. 1967 is the exception because of the heater controls.

Patrick