I took a road trip down to dads a couple weeks ago and we put a roof on the A-bone. We found a 94 Jeep Grand Cherokee in a wrecking yard after checking a bunch of different vehicles with one of the original top bows that we removed from the roof. The bow had the correct radius curve for both the front-to-back and side-to-side curverature of the roof panel that we needed. The Jeep was super close so we paid Homer $150 to cut it off at the posts and we hauled is home. The panel had to be 73" long and about 42" at the widest point, so we trimmed the top panel out of the roof and fitted it to the top of the sedan. We decided to just overlap the opening because it was easier and the material is thin; about 22 guage so filler will take care of the small overlap and the roof sides need filler anyway so it worked best that way. We kept the original bows from the jeep attached to the panel and trimmed them back to fit into the opening. I'll weld them to the top later with the mig.
After adjusting the roof in a couple different places so the panel would lay flat we started tig welding it on. We used silicon bronze rod for this because of the low melting point. Less heat applied means less warpage. We first tacked it at the rear in the center and worked our way out to the edges. After serveral inches out from center were done we moved to the sides and worked from back to the front alternating side to side. We did the fron center last and worked our way out to the edges. The top had some damage at the front as can be seen in the pictures where old filler was removed. All in all this was quite an easy job because the donor was very close to what was needed to fit the car properly.
As you can see the panel fits really well and won't be any problem to finish with some skim coats of body filler and plenty of sanding.
I'm thinking seriously of changing to a 30-31 visor like you did did and eliminating the stickup front edge above the flat stock 28-29 visor. Good job.
I used the same thing on my 31 and like Irish said it worked real well with a minimum amount of filler. I think it is a good choice.
Thank you. Yes, you noticed that on this body we have sectioned the top by eliminating the 1 1/2 or so above the windshield. Which I think is ugly. There is also a 1 1/2 chopped out of the posts and 1 1/2 sectioned from the body beltline, and about 3 inches removed from the bottom of the body. It gives the car a daintier look compared to the original. You don't really realize whats been done at first glance, but if you study it closer you can see the mods. That's what we were shooting for.
very nice job. i had been looking at doing the same top on a car but didn't know how it would fit. looks like it fits very well. thank for the post
Just picked one up off of craigslist. $40 and I cut it off with a sawsall. Alot less involved than yours.
Yeah for sure a sawsall is the way to go. I didn't have to cut mine off but it was painfull to watch.
Irish, Nothing personal, you understand.... But paragraphs are your friend Cute story. You'll be telling that one for years to come.
Yeah, I realize that was kind of stream-of-consciousness and pointless, sorry! Hey, it's one BIG paragraph!
Hey Irish. What year Cherokee did you get that roof off? Any reason, that you know of, that it would not work on a coupe? Joe
That's so cool that a modern car could give up something usable to a build like yours. I mean having the right contour and everything. I like it!
Right on Irish, I'm gonna p*** this on to 56NoBrakes for his coupe. BTW, you live in a cool town. The sierras are soo nice. Lucky you.
love your car,im gonna have my rear dif shortened also, i like the look, plus my car is already tubbed 6 in. will be on the lookout for a cherokee for a roof thanks b turner
I did the same with my '31 Chevy. I cut the roof of a Chrysler voyager in half and welded it together after I took a big part out.
Thanks you! Thanks! Yes it is pretty cool up here, I like it. Glad to help. Thanks! Cool deal! Yeah I like how it's turning out. Short and tall. Excellent job! I looked at the voyagers too and they looked like they would work too and you confirmed. Thanks for posting the pics!
now if you found one with a sun roof.... if you like that sort of thing. Maybe a little to street rodish.
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