Question on repairing holes in roof?

[K_Arts]

My buddy Brian just went out and purchased a 97 2500 4x4 12v and he raised a question to me that I couldn't resist posting on the TDR.



When he bought this 97, it had a Lund Moonvisor mounted on top of the cab up front and he doesn't care for it, but it whomever installed it actually screwed this thing into the roof. He can't remove it cause he litterally will have around 12 holes in his roof from the sheet metal screws. Does anybody know any possible way to repair these holes, or does anyone have any recomendations of a shop that does good work to fix this?



My first idea was... hey that sounds like an excuse to install Cab Clearance lights..... but the holes are kind of offset... and there are too many holes. Any advice???



BTW... he will be joining the TDR in the next couple of days... ... Come on Brian... . we're waiting..... LOL



Kev

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Any reputable body shop could fix that, but it would not be that cheap. Another alternative, although not that attractive (But better then 12 holes in your roof) is to get some stainless steel self tapping screws and screw them into the holes then paint the screw heads with touch up paint to match the truck. You will still notice them, but it will help. Just an idea.

 

[SLang]

All it takes is a MIG turned way low, a bucket of water to quench the weld, and a lot of patience. Removed cab lights on my Chevy. Took a lot of time and patience. The screw hole should be easier then the 3/4" hole I was dealing with. Take your time weld in 1/4-1/2" strips. Put a wet rag on weld as soon as the welder comes off the metel. And do not put 2 welds on the same hole. You can do it.

 

[Paul]

If you do weld them. Try to put a flat piece of copper against the back to hold the puddle. A flattened piece of copper tubbing works good. The copper also helps pull some heat away.

 

[Andy Perreault]

Paul's right.

And the molten metal will not stick to the copper. I learned this trick when I took welding in college.

Andy

 

[Extreme1]

Use the Hot Steel Glue Gun!

Body filler will fail as a hole plug.

 

[Ron Bissett]

Originally posted by K_Arts

My buddy Brian just went out and purchased a 97 2500 4x4 12v and he raised a question to me that I couldn't resist posting on the TDR.



When he bought this 97, it had a Lund Moonvisor mounted on top of the cab up front and he doesn't care for it, but it whomever installed it actually screwed this thing into the roof. He can't remove it cause he litterally will have around 12 holes in his roof from the sheet metal screws. Does anybody know any possible way to repair these holes, or does anyone have any recomendations of a shop that does good work to fix this?



My first idea was... hey that sounds like an excuse to install Cab Clearance lights..... but the holes are kind of offset... and there are too many holes. Any advice???



BTW... he will be joining the TDR in the next couple of days... ... Come on Brian... . we're waiting..... LOL



Kev

Wal-Mart has in auto section epoxey filler for seel its black with white in middle that will work and only cost a few $ use sand paper around hole down to base steel mix only for one hole at a time role in to a long roal smaller od than hole push in hole from in side push back to mound around hole and then outside press into mound wait about fifteen min after each hole is done or after all holes are done then sand and paint . this will last life of truck . Also good stuff for booney box . Ron in Louisville KY P. S stuff comes in plastic tube black silver about three inches long one inch wide don't know name ,but they always seem to have it.

 

[Bmad]

Okay, this site totally rocks.



Kevin, thanks for the loaner of your TDR so I could get some reading done in the reading room... . he he he.



Thanks to all of the contributors of this thread. Those are some great ideas. Since I don't know how to weld and don't want to pay a body shop, I am going to go with the epoxy option and see how that works out. All great ideas though. One of the maintenance guys I work with offered to weld up the holes, but I will try that as option B.



By the way, Kevin has an evil plan to convert me to be a mad BOMBer like the rest of you guys. As it stands now, I have a 97 2500 that is stock stock and more stock. I still love it though. I has plenty of acceleration and pull for my needs since I am mostly a daily driver. I bought the truck because I needed a 4x4, I needed a truck to haul materials and wanted a diesel so I could count on longevity out of a used vehicle. Now I got this Kevin guy telling me about little black boxes, fuel pump mods, A pillar guages and crazy stuff like that. Somebody please help me before Kevin converts me to the dark side of truck ownership. My wife will leave me and I won't be able to afford dog food for ol' yellar.



Sorry, got a little carried away. Thanks again, guys. See you on the road. I will be the one grinnin' ear to ear.

 

[K_Arts]

Welcome to the TDR family... .



Just think... it's only the beginning... LMAO



Kev

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Brian, welcome to the TDR!! I noticed in the flyer this week from Home Depot that cedar shake shingles are on sale Hey, it might look good!!

 

[Bmad]

That was very funny, Kurt. You think I should throw down a layer of tar paper before I shingle up the roof of my truck. I think the cedar shake will look a lot better than standard shingles. I can just tell the boys that I just road in from the mountains..... must have picked up a little debris.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Originally posted by Bmad

That was very funny, Kurt. You think I should throw down a layer of tar paper before I shingle up the roof of my truck. I think the cedar shake will look a lot better than standard shingles. I can just tell the boys that I just road in from the mountains..... must have picked up a little debris.

LOL, just mention that Jethro Clampett fixed your roof, they'll understand right away

 

[Ron Bissett]

Re: Re: Question on repairing holes in roof?

Originally posted by Ron Bissett

Wal-Mart has in auto section epoxey filler for seel its black with white in middle that will work and only cost a few $ use sand paper around hole down to base steel mix only for one hole at a time role in to a long roal smaller od than hole push in hole from in side push back to mound around hole and then outside press into mound wait about fifteen min after each hole is done or after all holes are done then sand and paint . this will last life of truck . Also good stuff for booney box . Ron in Louisville KY P. S stuff comes in plastic tube black silver about three inches long one inch wide don't know name ,but they always seem to have it.

P. S The name of the Epoxer is ******QUICK STEEL*******

 

[Ron Bissett]

Re: Re: Re: Question on repairing holes in roof?

Originally posted by Ron Bissett

P. S The name of the Epoxer is Quick steel Found some to day in my trailer good stuff mix roll push through hole push back from in side push from outside let harden sand out side paint its like puting a rivet in the hole and bucking it from the inside right though the liner if need to just don't push to hard and stick liner to puty . Ron in Louisville Ky

 

[Ron Bissett]

Re: Re: Question on repairing holes in roof?

Originally posted by Ron Bissett

Wal-Mart has in auto section epoxey filler for seel its black with white in middle that will work and only cost a few $ use sand paper around hole down to base steel mix only for one hole at a time role in to a long roal smaller od than hole push in hole from in side push back to mound around hole and then outside press into mound wait about fifteen min after each hole is done or after all holes are done then sand and paint . this will last life of truck . Also good stuff for booney box . Ron in Louisville KY P. S stuff comes in plastic tube black silver about three inches long one inch wide don't know name ,but they always seem to have it.

Name of stuff is Quick Steel you can get it at Walley world auto section ,found some in my trailer other day Ron in Louisville drive way. see other posts (Ram down )