| Author |
Message |
AL 4106 (64.12.96.235)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 30, 2002 - 9:55 pm: | |
Hello all.
I am installing front & rear caps on my GMC 4106. And I am stuck with the front portion of the front cap. At the front were the cap comes down above the windshield, there is only about 1 1/2 inch were to rivet down the edge. The problme is that there is large rivets all along the edge, on the center of the 1 1/2 strip, and seems to be part of the structural of the bus.
Is there anybody that has tackle this problme and could shed some info? And also being that I am not removeing any skin from the top, do I need to use sealant between the cap and the skin, or can I just seal the rievts? Thanks in advance. AL |
RJ Long (Rjlong) (24.127.74.29)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 31, 2002 - 12:49 am: | |
Yes Al, those OEM rivets are structural, which leaves you three choices, IMHO:
1. Remove the OEM rivets a small group at a time, then re-rivet it all back together with the cap.
2. Glue the front of the cap on with Sikaflex, using enough of the stuff to goop the gap closed.
3. Not spoil the classic lines of the 4106 by installing a "stick 'n staple wannabe" front cap. Just think of all the fun you could have by playing with the destination sign!!
(BTW, if your rear windows are in good shape, please email me off the board.)
RJ
PD4106-2784
Fresno CA |
Molsdorf (208.18.102.89)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 10:09 am: | |
Have you considered not touching the original rivets?
Use a variable speed electric drill with a counter sink bit, and sink the cap its self where the rivets will come in contact with the cap,(which can be a large drill bit and use a bit stop on it so you don't drill all the way thru) then use a good sealer as RJ mentioned, use a stainless band around the bottom edge to finish it off. Now you have a good looking cap and have not touched the structural integrity of the bus (sure don't want a cracked windshield do we). The problem with using rivets clear thru the cap and bus skin is that after time, due to slight movement the cap will wear and the rivets will then be loose. Trust me on this one. The other way would be to drill the cap thru where the rivets come in contact with cap and install cap then fill holes, since you are using a fiberglass or molded cap, the material will adhere to it and last as long as the unit will. But don't mess with those existing rivets.
Larry |
Molsdorf (208.18.102.159)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 5:13 pm: | |
I also was wondering how RJ was going to drill and replace a group at a time, one you do the first group and the cap starts becoming tight since they are spaced so close together, how would you get the others out? I realize you can drill from the inside providing you have an angle drill and or the space wide opened, the angle drill would have to be a very tight one I'm not familiar with? I guess it would have to be open? I know you can't get to mine. |
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