Tonight I removed the last remainders of the factory roof and roof brace, and welded the replacement center roof brace in. I continued my theory that more welds = better, and stich welded around the edge of all the braces in addition to plug welds in the factory locations.

Additionally, in the rear I bent the panel over and welded all around it. The factory just let that panel hang over the edge of the rear roof support, with two puny spot welds.

Obviously I didn't do any real tests, but a totally subjective "grab it and shake" test showed that after the stich welds both of the roof braces were dramatically stiffer. Probably won't do a thing for the stiffness of the chassis, but what the heck.

Then I got to do something that I've been eagerly awaiting. I test fit the new roof panel! I called my wife out to the garage and the first words out of her mouth were "holy shit, it looks like a car again!" A total FUCK YEAH! moment. The new roof panel fits about as close to perfect as it possibly could. The only area that needs a little work is where it overlaps the RH quarter panel. A little bit of trimming and it'll be perfect.