I've done a lot of metal work, and car panel replacement/ restoration ...I only used an air chisel, an impact gun, drill, sawzall and a caulk gun<br>the roof cutting only took about 15 mins...I figured where I wanted the roof open, and drilled up through the roof using a 1/2" bit. then I drew a line on the top to connect the dots so to speak, then using my air chisel, I cut the roof metal off.... I peeled that off the support braces, tossed it aside, then cut the braces using the sawzall. there were only 2 braces that I cut for right now...I didn't get any pics, because all my neighbors were going camping early the next morning, and I had to do it while they were coming home from work, or I would have to wait a few more days to install it....<br>so after the braces were cut, I put 2 2x6s up on the roof, and then 4 of us put the top of the 2 by's..I then used a couple tubes of caulk on the edge ot the roof line to glue the top to the roof. 2 guys raised the back end off the 2x6, I pulled it out, and they dropped it on the roof. then we did the same for the front. it is made to pretty much find its own place inside the roof gutter. after I zip screwed it to the remaining roof metal, I caulked it on the outside. I'm not sure if that was needed, but I didnt want moisture getting in the seam and freezing.... I then used a saw to cut the upper brake light into the rear indent of the top..... all that in about 1-1/2 hrs.... it took me longer to put all the stuff away after I was done ....lol<br><br>so to better show the top installed I took some good interior pics<br><br>this is the inside reverse flange on top of the roof. you can see the zip screws in the flange<br><img rel="lightbox" src="
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/conversion van build/IMG_2461_zpsee803465.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>upper brake light cut into the top<br><img rel="lightbox" src="
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/conversion van build/IMG_2463_zpse856bbdc.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>looking up from the side doors<br><img rel="lightbox" src="
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/conversion van build/IMG_2469_zps9158ac28.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>rear section that I'm going to shorten and recut the roof. I'm going to drill out the spot welds, slide the brace back, and re-weld it to the side beams. I'm pretty sure everyone will hit their heads trying to sit down on the sofa.<br><img rel="lightbox" src="
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/conversion van build/IMG_2471_zpsf397650d.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>here is my outside caulk job..... it came out pretty sexy... lol<br><img rel="lightbox" src="
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/conversion van build/IMG_2453_zpsc04a1e3e.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>here is the tool... I bought it when I was 18, some 30 years ago.... only cost $12 back then at good old K-mart...<br><img rel="lightbox" src="
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee79/daminc/conversion van build/IMG_2475_zps07294280.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>I think I'm going to trim a bit more off the side metal, I was pressed for time on people to help, so I just cut it along the first roof indent.. I think I'm also going yo put a piece of metal stock on top of that fiberglass flange and add some nuts, and bolts to secure it a little more... It just doesn't seem like its going to want to stay attached forever, to me, but I tend to over do things sometimes. I guess this isn't installed any different then all the rest of the tops driving around out there..... makes you really think, doesn't it.... the owner at Fiberine said thats how they are all installed, (very nice guy to talk to)<br><br>in case your all wondering, the top cost $1730, and another $700 to ship from California to Niagara Falls, NY.... in comparison, a cap with ladder racks for my ford ranger is going to cost $2900 from a distributer..... and thats only 7' long by 50" wide. I'm also very impressed by the thickness of the top. It's about 3/8'' thick. I was really expecting something thin and flimsy, but I read that Fiberine did good quality on some other sites.... They were right.....<br><br>So yesterday I went to Sam's Club looking for some AGM batteries.... the only ones they sell here are 65 AH batteries.... Walmart here doesn't seem to have any, and the battery distributers out here want a ridiculous amount for just 1 battery. Has anyone here used these? with shipping it wouldn't be to bad for me...<br><a href="
http://www.apexbattery.com/12-volt-...tent=pla&gclid=COHoweuTrbgCFciY4AodbzsAcA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">
http://www.apexbattery.com/12-volt-...tent=pla&gclid=COHoweuTrbgCFciY4AodbzsAcA</a>
