Club 80-90 Forums

Evening,

I have acquired a side opening roof to replace what is left of my autohomes roof. I bought the roof already removed from the van so didn't see how it came off.

I managed to find a Devon at Busfest and had a good poke around and a chat with the owner about how it fits. However, I am wondering about the hinges...

I wondered if anyone with a van with the Devon fitted could take a picture of where the hinges fit? Are the hinges bolted or riveted, and do they have spreader plates behind them?

Any help much appreciated,
Thanks
Mark

Mark,
I am in the process of mending the lower moulded section on a Devon roof, I will post pictures when I get a chance. The hinges are pop riveted on, I don't think there is a spreader plate behind the moulding, just a thicker section. If you have the roof off reinforce the strut mounts as my one has cracked there.

Hi Pete,

The point where the struts mount to the lower frame seems to have a wooden block inserted, but I will be inspecting that for rot in due course.

I should have been clearer, but I was trying to look at the point where the hinges attach to the van roof, rather than the fibreglass of the top section - are they pop-rivetted to the van?

Cheers
Mark

Sorry, yes the main roof hinges are pop riveted to the fibre glass top and the van roof. Use some sealed pop rivets or drop some sealant in the top of the rivet otherwise you might get leakage down the rivet.
Poptop Parts do the hinges if you need them, the originals are stainless steel

http://www.poptop-parts.co.uk/devon-t25.htm#side

Cool - thanks.

The hinges are still attached to the fibreglass - although they dont look stainless... I am hoping I can get them attached to the van without disturbing them from the top, although that may turn out to be impossible.

thanks again
Mark

Mark,
Just been through all my photos and nothing shows the hinge fitting to the roof


This picture also shows the crack in the lower moulding near the bottom of the struts.
The inner part of the hinge is just held to the roof with pop rivets about 5 mm dia

Thanks Pete. I guess there isn't much force on the hinge fixings, so pop rivets would be ok...

Cheers
Mark

Mark,
Finally a picture of the hinge mounting.

Pete

Pete,

Thanks very much. You reckon there's no spreader plate inside the van?

That's going to be interesting to get fixed back on!

Cheers
Mark

Hi, with trim out you can see the back of the middle hinge, no spreader plate

Ok, cool. Thanks for checking.