1970 Dodge Charger roof skin replacement

[70383ChargerSE]

Well, after getting some estimates, I just cant afford to pay a shop to replace the roof and deck panel on my 70 Dodge Charger. The next best thing is me taking my best shot at it. I have welded in a floor before so I am not completely new to patch panels or welding...just never a roof.

To ANYONE who has done it before, any advice, threads or pictures would be very helpful. Here is where I am starting. I am taking a guess that the roof skin will be first to go, then the rear defroster section, then the deck panel.

If I am going about this in the wrong order please let me know. Thanks to all in advance.

 

[slimt]

Do you have the roof skin? And if so how much of the sail panel do you get?

also the drip rails. ?

 

[Moparfiend]

My most important lessons learned was use a real deal spot weld removal bit. Your gonna need about 4 of them but well worth it. I did this recently and found it to be rather easy. I actually enjoyed the work and it came out perfect.
Check out my build thread here: https://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopa...te-from-junk-to.174053/page-10#post-911616886

If you have any questions there are lots of experienced and talented guys here.

 

[70383ChargerSE]

Well, I am taking a crack at it. I started with grinding down to the weld and got the spotweld cutter out. I have never done this before but am happy so far. I also am replacing the dutchman panel. To anyone who has replaced one on a 68-70 Dodge Charger, Should I replace the roof first or the dutchman panel first? Also, What is holding the dutchman panel in? I only found spotwelds at the corners where the panel meets the trunk. Where do I find the spotwelds so i can remove it? Photos? Thanks

 

[70chall440]

Check out this guy's channel, I believe he has a video where he replaces a roof (could be wrong)

 

[70383ChargerSE]

A few photos

 

[70383ChargerSE]

So the headliner is out so I could see a little more. I still have to do the spot welds at the front and rear of the windows but almost there. Does anyone know what is holding the roof to the inner structure that goes across the roof? Is it epoxied on or are there more spotwelds that I have to cut out to remove it? Thanks in advance.

 

[70chall440]

I do not believe it is spot welded to the inner bracing

 

[70383ChargerSE]

A few photos

 

[70383ChargerSE]

Also, any advice on the easiest way to melt/remove the lead from the factory on both sides? This was not an original vinyl top car.

 

[slimt]

Try a olfa knife on the braces. Little swipes at a time. Mark out all the spot welds first. Drill from the top to the inner skin. Not all the way through. You can use a cut off wheel to if its easier. Just grind to the inner skin. As for the lead. Cut above Melt at med heat.use a wire hand brush to remove the slag. Where a mask. That lead is deadly. You will find spot welds under that.

you can use a grinder at slow speed with a 24 grit disc but you will have to melt off the remainder.

 

[70chall440]

For lead I usually use a propane or map gas torch and apply the heat sparingly and then use a wire brush to brush out of the seam.

 

[70383ChargerSE]

Finished the spotwelds and melted the lead with a propane torch. It came off very easily and I also used a wire brush. Now, I need to remove the remaining spotwelds and then separate the roof from the inner structure. Almost there!

 

[70chall440]

Stay in the fight, Once you great a new roof even just laid on there you will feel so much better because it will instantly transform the car and give you a feeling of progress.

 

[70383ChargerSE]

It is off... I'm still surprised that me and my dad were able to get it off with basic hand tools and never doing it before. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice and all the threads which showed me how to do it.

 

[70chall440]

Great job, you will find that not a lot on these cars is magic and pretty much everything can be done with simple hand tools.