Rusty Roof Rails

Say that 10 times fast.

My van's been sitting for about three years with a busted water pump.  Finally got around to bringing it back from the dead and with a new pump, a little fresh fuel and a new fuel filter.. it fired right up!

Unfortunately, sitting outside in the elements with repeated freezing & thawing of the condensation on the bare roof, I've got a good bit of scaling rust between the three interior roof ribs and the roof.  There are a couple of pinholes that have rotted through, but it could be worse.

I'd like to remove the ribs so I can sand them down as well as where they were contacting the roof. Before I go whacking on them, given the existing rust, how securely are they attached?  Welded or just wedged in?

Any tips on getting them out or dealing with the rust?

FWIW, I'm moving in a couple of weeks, so it'll be garaged moving forward.

Thanks in advance!

I don't have a Ford van, but on Chevys there spot welded in along the upper side(where they start) . Also has some kind of sealer(caulking) between the rib & roof(keep it from Rattling???)
As for coating the rust. I had good luck with Eastwood rust encapsulator. But you can also use Rust bullet, which you can get a lot of places, & don't have to order. Just Don't use Primer, it will just make it Worse, Primer is Not a sealer. Moister will go right through it.
Hope this Helps some, good luck with your move & post some pics of your problem area. hopefully some of the Ford experts will help you out.

Thanks Savage.

Good call on the pics - I'll try and snap a few today. I'll read up more on the rust encapsulator too.

I tell you, it's been a hoot driving the van again. Don't know why I took so long getting it back on the road. (Well, two young kids, work, house projects....)

My first Car( Van in 72) was a 64 Ford Econoline. I was 18 ,it was Death trap. But I thought it was Cool

Snapped a couple of pics tonight.

I’m in the process of moving (the van has been amazing for schlepping stuff the 7 miles to & from), so I’m not going to rock the boat by fiddling with rails right now.

I’m going to pick up some Rust Bullet soon and once I’m in the new garage, wish me luck.

Any additional advice on pulling the rails out to scrub them (as well as getting them back in) is appreciated. Thanks as always VV!