Ok looks like I'm not messing to much with my arches, thanks again now so what about gutters ? I have a factory high top so joining to the roof panel isn't an issue as there is only about 5mm of metal that sits over the roof lip. Joining from side to side is straight forward. How does the gutter join to the side panels above the windows ? I have looked at pics in @MorkC68 s thread when he did a his but can't see that bit Does the side panel have a lip that the gutter sits on ? Is it spot or roller welded here along here anywhere ? Thanks
from memory, there are three flat bits which sit on top of one another - someone will know more, the roof bit, as you mention, there is another lip which is the guttering and the lower lip is the actual top of the body panel..I think! Some of the bits go on to form the roof strengthener/cross brace sections (from one side to the other) or at least it appears that way. Ill have a look & see if we have any better photos when I get home & post them up - be around 8pm ish though
That would be great if its not to much bother, thanks, I can see the side panel goes up to the gutter and bends outwards and I can see a join towards the outside which I thought was the gutter sitting on the side panel maybe, looks a bit tight to weld up there Thanks for reply
The gutter is part of the roof, then you have a panel which fits between the root and the side panel, then the side panel of the van, got any pictures?
Not from beneath the gutter but they are all the original gutters on the van. I have this shot from above showing the hightop meeting the gutters, this is a factory fit top, i have since wire wheeled this area back, rust treated, re sealed and painted the inners and the join You cant see the holes but there are some on the outer lip casued when sanding back/cleaning inside the gutters as you look at the side of the van Would a localised repair to the outer part be better ?
@Buddy Hawks here is one of the three bits over the sliding door I cant find any photos of the long fixed side, these are the best ones showing the three layer! Hope this helps you
Ok thanks, it was just a thought that if it was easy to let a whole new bit in that would be best. My second option was to clamp my bit of copper behind the holes and weld them that way, then flap disc it back. I will have another poke and a wire wheel see how strong it is
Oh cool thanks mork makes sense now, I've been trying to work it out for days Looks doable if i really need to then and i don't have a roof panel to contend with so that helps The only tricky bit i suppose is when you get the gutter in place then you need a few plug welds in from above or below, or i suppose run a weld along the joint and smooth it out Going to have a further poke about at the weekend Thanks for taking the time to dig those out for me
no problem dude, wish I had more photos from better angles! I cant remember how we fixed it all back together, I can recall we spot welded it all in the gutter
No that was spot on, explains perfect, was just thinking you could even bend the gutters open a tad to get a little plug weld in there then tap them back again. Im sort of hoping to have to replace a bit just to have a go
Hi @Buddy Hawks... I have a high top too, with rusty gutters, and am fairly certain the top's gonna have to come off at the end of the season so I can sort the rust. It would be great to see photos of any work you do to yours... I'll be posting loads when I get round to doing mine... but I'm not looking forward to it!!
I do keep spotting your avatar, high tops rule I will stick some pics on here if i do anything impressive, mine has steel support arches bonded in from the body and across the roof, the bit of gutter just sits on a lip around the bottom of the roof sort of clamping it on so really i need the roof on to repair/replace if that makes sense as the roof wouldn't go back on after gutters
