[marcus.md]

I do Collision work for a living and replaced quite a few roof skins. Your's was definitely replaced at one time, probably when newer back before carfax was big if it has a clean title. A lot didn't get reported if it was an rent a car. I've put cars back on the road that shouldn't of been with clean titles. Look around towards the back of the skin and pull the weather stripping back and look for spot welds to know for sure. I've never seen a factory roof skin painted like that in 25+ years I've been doing this

Thanks for your input. This vehicles witnesses my first foray into any interior/body work of any sort.

I got a quote from a body shop for $6900 to fix this issue, including replacing the roof.

 

[marksebek]

I made it by 3 body shops today.
#1 said they could make an appt for me for wed morning.
#2 went and got his lead tech/manager. He explained that he wouldn't repair it unless they also changed the roof. He suggested that one might think you could press it into place, but he questions the structural integrity of that. He would get me the relevant quote tomorrow morning.
#3 said it didn't seem like something he could do, but "let's take a look at it". He said the proper way to do it would require a roof replacement, but that would be about $3k-$4k or more, and his shop isn't set up to handle that. "For my money", he said he'd press it into place, bringing us back to the suggestion of silversasquatch. He mentioned that the adhesive used between the support and roof is "foam adhesive", which he expects that I could pick up at an auto parts store.

So I think I'll try to clean the residual adhesive off, maybe use an angle grinder with wire wheel, then press it, heat it, cool, relax it, press it, heat it, cool, relax a tiny bit, apply adhesive, press again, and leave it pressed for a (few) hour(s).
Then repeat with the other ones. I have 2 bottle jacks, so maybe I can find another piece of pipe to get another one going.

Side note, I took this waiting period as an opportunity to apply sound damping material and replace the interior lights with LEDs. Here's a pic, because everyone loves pics.
View attachment 164992

Go to an auto paint store if you have one and get a tube of 3m panel bonding. It's what the factory uses. Mid 2000s Ford trucks had 4 spot welds on the roof the rest was glue and it sucked trying to get it separated

 

[marksebek]

Go to an auto paint store if you have one and get a tube of 3m panel bonding. It's what the factory uses. Mid 2000s Ford trucks had 4 spot welds on the roof the rest was glue and it sucked trying to get it separated

That's expensive to me. It's definitely a lot of work but it's not hard especially when you already have it gutted and the right tools. If you're mechanically inclined and know how to weld you can do it. Just drill out spot welds then make new spot welds on a new skin

 

[marksebek]

Thanks for your input. This vehicles witnesses my first foray into any interior/body work of any sort.

I got a quote from a body shop for $6900 to fix this issue, including replacing the roof.

If you're near Pittsburgh I'll give you a great price

 

[marcus.md]

If you're near Pittsburgh I'll give you a great price

LOL! I do appreciate it, but I'm warmly in Texas at the moment.

 

[marcus.md]

Just removed the jack after about 23 hours.

 

[Professional Hand Model]

 

[marcus.md]

Yeah... Now to fix the other 2.

 

[marcus.md]

I got impatient. Doing both of them now.

 

[marksebek]

LOL! I do appreciate it, but I'm warmly in Texas at the moment.

Yea Pa sucks. I miss Az lol. Good luck with the fix man. Looks like you're getting it though

 

[marcus.md]

Pic from yesterday. Left the jacks up for 24 hrs. Ready to move on, it seems.

 

[Professional Hand Model]

Yeah buddy. I knew it would work. The newer adhesives are far superior to the old OEM shtuff. Good on ya.

 

[marcus.md]

The moment of truth...
Hrm... I can't upload the video.
Well, it worked. The sunroof opened as it should.
Thanks for y'all's support.