1964 Ford Econoline Travel Wagon

I recently purchased a 1964 Ford Econoline Van with the Travel Wagon camper top. The van is in rough shape but starting restoration on Monday 4/21/14. I will try to post photos, if any one has any suggestions on helping with the top I would appreciate it. The top does not want to stay up and or go back down easily and leaks badly.

tops are made of a "plywood' inside =skinned with the aluminum sheet. Usually - the hinges & mounts to the top (van) will be worn or even broken from use. examine closely all areas that raise up- yet wont stay up due to bad wood inside.If this is the case  ?? u will need to remove top - carefully disassemble it & replace the  plywood. Use a marine plywood & seal it with varnish-all over then re-install the skins. I have  all 3 different types of tops here that were ever made. all are of same construction. If u want the skins nice & bright  shiny aluminum?? Id suggest  you acidize them -spray on -wash off - same as they do large trailers today=shiny-shiny -shiny.   PS:= there should be a "data Plate" on pass front side - yet some have diff locations on a few tops.This is on the "TOP"  if u have let me know what sr. # u have  -- These tops were made from 1961- thru about 68. Travel equip corp- elkhardt ind. see my van in gallery when i bought it.

I think the side window pieces with the wood are ok and the hinges are also ok. its the top aluminum piece that is messed up. My mechanic buddy is going to look at it and I will try to find the SR # How time consuming is it to remove the top and put in new wood and put back? Like total hours?

total hours=?? id guess maybe-2-3 removal--- 12 addl?? ++ making it shiny if u needed.

I have a TEC topped van...although it is a 1962 Corvair van.

Here is my website- probably the most comprehensive spot on the net for these tops. I have owned all three types as well over the years. Mine has three windows per side. It also has a non-unitized frame. It is made of lots of pieces of what was originally wood- now plastic lumber- covered with aluminum flashing.

It took us many hours to install on my van- but it was one piece at a time and the van did not originally have a top.

http://bensbus.zxq.net/TECtops.htm

Anyone have good methods of cleaning these up while it is still on the van? Not sure I want to acid bath the top when it's on.

Yeah Soda Blast it.