So I'm finally getting into things with the laundry list of things 16655 needs done (which will include pulling the body off to do some long-overdue frame rust repairs). One of the first things I'm getting access to and looking at a plan to deal with is the roof box.
Pretty much the entire time I've had the car, it has always had issues with water getting into the cabin in heavy rains- it would somehow get in and soak the headliner and drip down and accumulate in the cover for the map light. I initially thought that the headliners getting soaked was because I hadn't trimmed the new headliner fabric I'd installed when I restored the car initially back enough and it was soaking up water from the roof, but the problem persisted even after trimming it back, meaning the water was getting in someplace else. Since I'm planning on pulling as much out/off of the body (doors included) to make it easier to pull off of the frame and move, I figured that I should obviously be looking at and figuring out how to resolve this.
First off, removed the T-panel. It came off extremely easily- once the screws were removed and the weatherstripping holding it to the body removed/cut, it lifted off without any resistance at all.
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Obviously the area under the T-panel doesn't look the best- there's clearly moisture on the top of the center section of the roof box, and I don't imagine that the center section is supposed to be bowed up like that where it meets the back section of the box.
Slightly lower shot of the back of the roof box:
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Am I correct in thinking that it looks like the center of the rear roof box has pulled up from the body? Per my understanding, this is what 'repair kits' for the roof box (like this one) are intended to correct, right?
Looking at the sides (sorry the pics aren't the best), it looks like there isn't that much rust on the outside of the center section- though the hinges are a bit crusty (will likely clean them up and possibly powder coat when I have the doors off):
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So, ultimately what I need to figure out is: Do I just need to get the repair kit and bolt the back down securely and pull off and clean up the center section (and figure out where the water is getting through), or am I likely looking at needing to go all-in and replace the whole roof box (likely with a stainless one, given they're about the same price as a powder-coated mild steel one from DMCH)? Thanks!