series roof cutting into modular sections

[rezdiver]

has anyone seen or have pics from the internet of a series roof that has been cut to make it modular?

I am looking to convert a roof to make it into 2 or 3 pieces cut left to right side and make each section removable on its own. to be able to remove the front section on nice days and leave the back section if its holding a roof rack or leaving the front section on and removing the rear section..you get the idea.

the cutting is easy, just trying to figure out how to join each section to the next and have a good seal

also when cutting the sheet aluminium, would it be better to weld or to pop rivet for better strength, not sure how the rover aluminium deals with welding..

[angiebuds]

A modular roof is commonly a two folded roof. It is removable and can be transported. You can remove it on its own.

[Greg S]

...series roof that has been cut to make it modular?

... just trying to figure out how to join each section to the next and have a good seal...

Excuse me? Series Land Rover and "good seal"?:lol:

I'd suggest rivets. Aluminum welding is a whole new thing and everything is riveted in the first place. Introduce some mastic to the rivet joints.

[rezdiver]

wow, bringing an old post back. good i am still looking for ideas.

although "angiebuds" didnt give me much more than a dictionary definition of a modular roof in his post, lol.

Greg, water resistant may be a better term. I did the last one with rivets but i was not happy with my choice of rivets. they were good quality and very thisck and heavyduty but when you popped them about half of them left a hollow center core after the pin sheared, leaving room for annoying leak droplets coming through them. I want blind rivets but do not want to spend the time and effort it takes to install them. unless there is actually a tool that i am not aware of other than oldschool hammer and rivet cup.

[BOlson]

the rivet style you are looking for is called a "tank rivet " ( essentially a pop rivet with a closed back) , these are sometimes used in homebuilt aircraft construction , look up Murphy aircraft

[rick.m]

In my experience in the RV buisness. i found the rivit that AIRSTREAM use on their TRAILERS, was the best. it has a rubber seal, I often used it on my 65 109'
The local dealer in the lower mainland is TRAVELAND on the LANGLEY BYPASS. they have a web page. The rivit pulls and a pin snaps, it is protruding slightly, but can easily be rounded with a DREMELL TOOL. or a file. it is fairly long so would easily support a hinge or what ever you plan to use at a joint.
You can expect to pay over a buck apiece i am sure per,, but it will be clean and sealed. the parts dept will be able to give prices . ps i used to work there.
all the best. rick.m

[rezdiver]

thanks for the pointers regarding rivets. i will look into them.

I am still debating if going modular is worth the effort. it would be nice to take sections of the roof off where ever i am and strap it down onto the other section to get some sun, but since i have two little ones now and the wife it may be just best to keep the roof on all the time to keep the sun off everybody, and if i want the roof off i can just take it off at camp and leave it by the tent to get some sun in the truck. my doors come off easily anyways so getting some fresh air is not an issue.

but to make it fit on the truck i still have to cut out 3.5 inches out of the roof down the length of it to narrow it, and rivet it back together so all these tips will help. I will have to remove the center raised ridge on the roof by drilling out all the spotwelds to get to the roof skin and then cut, narrow and put everything back together.

[chilliwack]

The other option would be CR3213 Cherrymax rivets. They are a aerospce rivet. The come in different grip lengths in 1/16 intervals.

If you dip the end in paint before you pull them, they seal up well. You could also use sealant.

You can find them on-line from any number of aircraft supply.

Probably CR3213-5 a 5/32 button head rivet.

If you want technical info go to Genuine Aircraft Hardware and click on the right side - rivets, blind rivets, tech info.

Cool site, lots of tech info on AC hardware.