Wooden panel ceiling center fixation/structure?

[Stephbong]

Hello,

I'm in the process of redo my interior on my OTW camper.

If we take the center section of the bus, after removing the old wooden ceiling I see each part is attached on metal bows on the width but on the length it's cut in two parts (left and right of the bus ) and the two parts comes side to side with screws in the middle attached to a bloc of wooden hidden between the ceiling and the metal roof.

Is this center part "normal" ? the wooden block is simply laying on the 3mm ceiling, it shouldn't be attached somewhere?

Is it possible to use one wider piece of wood from side to side simply fixed on the metal bows? would it be clean on the sides or do I need a wood structure somewhere to complete the OG metal bows on the roof?

I can try to send pics if needed but not use it would help I suppose.

Thank you for your help!

Steph

[BarryL]

Picture would help. I reads like you are describing the wood occupying the inner curvature thusly staying aloft and curved by the arch and final assembly of the crown wood length.

[mandraks]

yes, do post pictures.

on non-westy campers they often had a left and right roof panel and something in the middle where they meet up.

the westy ones were one piece all the way across. One in the back over the engine, one over the cargo area, and then the drivers cabin area.
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regards

Uli

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'53 3-Fold Oval, L35 Metallic Blue, looking for a narrow hatch panel

[Stephbong]

Thank you both for your answer indeed it's the case of 2 panels that meets on the center.

It's the wood we don't see where they meet up I'm talking about, here are some pics I did when removing.

As it's a tin top shouldn't I try to make it in one piece like on westys? It's harder to do if I have someone helping me to maintain it in place when I screw on the metal bows?

Thanks!

[mdege]

I did the one piece version on mine. Once you get it cut to the right size and it snaps into place you won't need anybody to hold it. I had to take the rear part out a few times to get it right. Unfortunately the wood started cracking on me in the right rear corner, where mine has a bracket for an interior light like those on beetles.
I got the dimensions from this great build: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=704132
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- Michael

1965 21F: Restoration of a former '65 firetruck
1963 Typ3 Notchback project
1988 Multivan Magnum 112i
1984 Standard: My son wanted a bug for his first car

[volksaddict]

I think the US campers did it that way because they were using 4'x8' paneling, which is too narrow to do it all in 1 sheet. Westys did the 1 piece across thing as their panel sizes were different.

[busdaddy]

[Stephbong]

Thanks, so I'll try the one piece it will look cleaner I guess!

[Stephbong]