I got whole roof Monday for malibu. With a pillars attached from gboz (greg). Thanks. Looks good and arrived good. I want to thank junbug from here on forum for sending me the partial roof that was in great shape to. Will hold onto it if someone else ever needs one. I also want to thank 78chevelle and 85ss/85gn for offering roof sections too. Great bunch of guys.
Now I have windshield out of course. Discovered some deep rust pits on a pillar about 4 inches down on window channel so am going to have to cut down on a pillars and butt weld new roof below that point. Reusing my b pillars. On replacement roof c pillars not quite cut down to factory seam, but does include rear window upper channel.
Questions....after measuring and remeasuring, but before I cut old roof off should I add some kind of bracing to a pillars and c pillars or will they stay in place? Also what do you guys think would be better to cut it off with? Sawzall, cutoff wheel, torch, airsaw?
Thanks
Justin, I would add a few temporary braces in. It can't hurt, and it's always better to be safe than sorry.
You'll probably need to use a combination of most of those tools you listed to get the old roof cut off. I would use the ones that create the least amount of heat and distortion, to avoid creating more work for you down the road.
The only one you listed I'm not a fan of is the torch, unless you're just using it to make very rough crude cuts well away from the final cut line. Try to use the ones that you will have the best control over, and precision with.
Also, if I might add, try and place your cuts on all the pillars, both pieces new and on the car, staggered from each other. Even on the same pillar of possible. This will ensure more strength, and less possibility of having the whole roof come off in the same plane in the event of a bad collision.
Just something to consider before you start. Hope this helps.
Donovan