Lift panel rivet repair ‘03 Eagle

[firsttracksbmax]

Has anyone done any repairs / fully replaced their lift panel, specifically the one over the bed?

I bought my ‘03 Eagle and it has almost half of the rivets on the bottom that have torn through the luan wood. I am worried that with the added weight I have on the roof (100-130lbs) that this will be an issue before I am able to install some gas struts. Of course I can take that weight off but I’d like to fix this before it gets worse. I’m in the northeast and a long way from any dealer to do the repairs.

How much pain is it to totally replace the luan? Surely seems like one, especially because I don’t have a speaker stand jack. Im considering just removing the failed rivets and placing a strip of 1/8” or /4” thick aluminum over where the luan ripped out and just riveting through it again. Hopefully that will bandaid the situation for awhile until I make a trek out west and decide to fully replace it with the canvas potentially. Thanks for any insight.

 

[kmcintyre]

There a ton of articles/posts on how to do it. You might consider doing the vinyl at the same time if it's even in marginal condition. Also, the newer composite panels are a lot stronger IMHO.

 

[Vic Harder]

I've not seen that kind of damage before. Instead of a speaker lift, you can just cut 2x4's to the right length to hold up the roof. I have pulled off the lift panels before, it isn't too difficult. Hardest part was dealing with the springs to get them tensioned. I imagine that if you added a reinforcement layer, it would be thick enough to really mess with the springs. OTOH, i've heard that you can safely ignore the springs (?)

 

[Starrman]

I've not seen that kind of damage before. Instead of a speaker lift, you can just cut 2x4's to the right length to hold up the roof. I have pulled off the lift panels before, it isn't too difficult. Hardest part was dealing with the springs to get them tensioned. I imagine that if you added a reinforcement layer, it would be thick enough to really mess with the springs. OTOH, i've heard that you can safely ignore the springs (?)

Hi Vic, thanks for sharing your experience. Leaking snow rusted my top layer of piano hinges on front lift and I pulled all the top rivets out when I popped the roof. Need to replace top piece of lift panel and perhaps top piano hinge.
Can you please answer a few questions about this, or provide links for info I need about the hinge?
Thanks!
Jim

 

[Vic Harder]

Hi Vic, thanks for sharing your experience. Leaking snow rusted my top layer of piano hinges on front lift and I pulled all the top rivets out when I popped the roof. Need to replace top piece of lift panel and perhaps top piano hinge.
Can you please answer a few questions about this, or provide links for info I need about the hinge?
Thanks!
Jim

sure, and others have done more repairs to that area than I have and can add more (please!) info. I think a normal piano hinge would be fine. Adding metal behind it could work if it doesn't bind when folding. Also, your rivet heads/tails need to be short like the installed ones so that you don't create poky bits that can cause damage to the soft top material. Not sure what else I can add?

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I know I/we always defer to Marty at ATC but since he's in the business he could give you some helpful info.
Frank

 

[Tom n N]

I got new lift panels for my 20 year old FWC Eagle Shell from ATC last year. Good quality product at a fair price, plus they talked me through the installation. I can’t say enough good about the crew at ATC. They are great!

 

[h2opup]

That's wonderful to hear! So many folks, including myself, have had Top Notch interactions with Marty and the entire ATC crew. Congrats on your DIY repair, and thanks for the positive shout-out for the ATC team's assist.