That C pillar cross brace IS welded in, both hardtop and Westy.

As for the sunroof vans, those have MORE roof structure than standard
roofs, a lot more. I'd say the sunroof is the strongest roof, followed
by the the hardtop, Westy last.

Mark

Tom Buese wrote:
>
> Unless that cross brace is welded in, it doesn't add any torsional stiffness to the body- a "moment resisting connection" would be required to transfer that stiffness to the body&  if the brace is only siting on a lip in the opening, it is only supporting axial or gravity loads on it.
>
> Mr. BZ-licensed architect who can legally design some structural members, but uses much smarter structural engineers to do that instead
>
>
>> (and as mentioned, to support forward end of westy bunk plywood). In the tin top, the beam is curved to match roof curvature, in the westy its not.
>>
>> Both van types have box section cross beam at forward end of roof opening area.
>
> yep, that box section is what provides the torsional stiffness around the opening
>>