1st Gen Roof Questions

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turninggrey

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Hey All,
I know a lot of 1st Gen vehicles have rusted roofs. I have watched a lot of videos on fixing them. My big question is how does the moisture get into the roof? Is it because the forward roof is actually sandwiched along the forward edge and then tack welded allowing oncoming moisture under pressure from driving speeds to seep between the sandwiched pieces?
Thanks,
Tom
 

Daw14

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It’s the rain gutter that traps dirt under the lifting seam seal then holds the moisture from the rack of the truck . I’ve thought if I did one I would eliminate that gutter , I think it looks much cleaner also .
 
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turninggrey

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Thanks Daw, so the rain gutter is one piece with the top of the roof, then there is a seam seal, and that is between the "rack" or cab correct? In the front of the truck above the windshield rubber is a pretty heavy duty "caulk" that seems to be in place to keep moisture from going into the seam, and that caulk is not very effective.
 

PaPitt

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What part of the top are you calling the ''rack''..
I also have a 1st gen & it has rusted out so bad . It has 2 holes in the roof over on the passenger side . .. I stuck screen wire into those holes .. Then I put Bondo into those hole to cover them up.
Now I didn't really use BONDO BY BRAND BECAUSE It's really about the worse ''PUCKY'' . Then MY plan is to brush Black Bed Liner on my top . As I'm trying to Paint my truck. But I believe I've stopped my leak But not got the Bed liner on it yet .
Maybe some of you can use my fix.
 

Daw14

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The gutter is where multiple pieces of sheet metal join, Giving us the seam. Sorry I do not know the proper names of everything.
 

PaPitt

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OK i just wasn't sure about the term Rack. I do understand the gutters.
I had a parts store for 29+ years. I sold body material & paint & primer.
3M & DuPoint. & much more .
 

Daw14

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rake. As$ end in the air ,causing water to pool on front of gutter . I think it’s because the seam seal shrinks after some time ,that lets the water seep through and start the rust.
 
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turninggrey

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rake. As$ end in the air ,causing water to pool on front of gutter . I think it’s because the seam seal shrinks after some time ,that lets the water seep through and start the rust.
That makes sense. I actually had the same problem as PaPitt. I pretty much did the same fix AND I am also going to use bedliner on the roof and get rid of the gutter.
 

PaPitt

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Also I'll add since I had that Parts / paint store .. I imagine I sold about 85% of the automotive / tractor / & farm related paint in the county..
Once I evenmixed about 10 gallons of Purple paint for the College TSU. as they wanted to paint their Gym floor & Concrete tile on the walls.
.... But that 3M SEAL SEALER 08***. i GOOGLED THAT SEALER IT'S NUMBERS HAVE CHANGED since i GOT OUT OF THE BUSINESS. IN 1995 & I've had another 10 years since ..as a store supervisor. & Another 10 years. as a Freightliner outside sells rep.
....... But that old seam sealer was very easy to use.. You put in in the gutter with a calking gun ... & mashed it into place with your fingers .. As it shrunk & Died back .. Noone ever replaced it or resealed the tops.
I feel that's what our tops need but too late, when it's already rusting .
 

Dodge trucker

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Where you at? My son has a nice roof cut off a "parts" 87 a while back.
The seam sealer in the rain gutter dries out and water gets in and then the rust begins. I'm going thru that on an 85 right now, before my roof rots out.
 
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