Closing off sunroof

atr911 · 09-11-2003, 10:41 PM

In the interest of head room (i'm 6'6") I'd like to take a look at closing off the sunroof on my 78 SC.

Has anyone done this? It seems that the stock sunroof panel could just be welded and filled in. What about head liner and internal modifications?

Drop me a line, or respond here!

Thanks!
Adam
a_roseneck@hotmail.com

k9handler · 09-12-2003, 02:24 AM

I seen a thread a while back where a fiberglass panel was used, mounted in with brackets and I think once this is done and the motor is removed you could install a headliner for the cars with no sunroof.
I plan on doing this, but just have not found the time and willpower to rip mine out.

Good luck,

thrown_hammer · 09-12-2003, 03:47 AM

Sunroofs must die!

atr911 · 09-12-2003, 08:28 AM

Sounds good shawn... but how?

If it were a race car, I'd just weld it in there and then not worry about a headliner... but there is a thin metal casing around the sunroof on the inside of the car that will need to be removed.

Adam

thrown_hammer · 09-12-2003, 08:42 AM

The only thing I have ever seen is the F/G panel that Smitty is referring to. I have yet to come up with an acceptable street car solution.

74911s · 74911s's Garage

the fiberglass panel above was in my car. i would not suggest this for your application. i have since ditched the fiberglass panel and just rivited in a aluminum panel. my car is of coarse a race car before it is anything else. ultimately the fiberglass panel and the current sheet of aluminum are temporary as i plan to put in a full cage and re skin the roof with carbon fiber.

but back to your question... i have seen quite a few cars that have cut out the false interior roof for the sun roof and welded in the original sun roof panel. they then installed a no sunroof head liner and you would never have any idea the car was not a non sunroof car.

before i would remove the sunroof i would have the seat mounting location relocated lower in the car to get som extra head room. there is 2-3 inches there and it will also lower you in the car.

atr911 · 09-12-2003, 01:32 PM

fantastic info, thank you.

I'm going to be changing the location of the seats anyways because I'll be using sport seats (recaro or sparco type).

To me the sunroof just isn't a feature that i'm interested in having, seems like just another place for something to break and it'll end up costing more money when it comes to painting and all that good stuff. Just prefer the idea of a non sunroof coupe.

Thanks again,

Adam

RickM · RickM's Garage

I apologize in advance, but it's Friday I'm getting ready to meet the boys at the local Liquory. Besides I'm sure JW will appreciate the pic.

Have a great weekend.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Ooops....

atr911 · 09-12-2003, 01:46 PM

ROFLAMO

That is SOOOOOO how I feel sometimes.

My ex has a Hyundai Tiburon, and I'm 6'6" or so and about 250 lbs. I can put my head completely out the sunroof and drive the car without problem down the road. Went down the main drag like that one day... I've never seen people laugh so hard.

Adam

pwm74 · pwm74's Garage

hey 74911s
have you ever seen the fiberglass skin or carbon fiber skin applied
h
how does it look and what do you cut ?

from front to back window?

side to side gutter?

thanks in advance

74911s · 74911s's Garage

i have talked with a couple guys that have remove the entire roof skin and replace but i have yet to see it in person. the other way i have seen it on a cople cars it they leave 2-3 inches of the original roof from the sides, front and back flange it then rivit or bond on the carbon fiber panel on.

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

If you remove the sunroof, how will the heater work?

The only time I close mine is if it rains.

Tom

Brian Cameron · 09-12-2003, 09:22 PM

ATR911, I agree lowering the seat mounts is a good idea for extra headroom.

However, if you are re-welding the mounts lower, when the mount on the gearshift tunnel is welded, BE VERY CAREFUL as the gas line runs through this tunnel, and the plastic can easily melt, releasing gasoline onto the red hot weld and causing a disastrous conflagration.

Ask me how I know.

CamB · CamB's Garage

i have seen quite a few cars that have cut out the false interior roof for the sun roof and welded in the original sun roof panel. they then installed a no sunroof head liner and you would never have any idea the car was not a non sunroof car.

I want to do this - my body shop guy doesn't because he says the thin metal etc means it will be very hard not to distort the panels (from the heat).

Anyone have any opinions?

atr - long time no post? Is the car mobile yet??

atr911 · 09-13-2003, 03:56 AM

Yeah, excellent point, don't want to distort the metal (wait until I post about wanting to shave the rain gutters, that could get ugly!)

Nah, the car isn't mobile yet. I'm thinking i'm going to sell off the engine parts to pay for the body work then pay off the loan in the next year or so. Then after all that, I'm seriously considering refinancing the car to buy a 3.6 varioram VRRRROOOOMMMM

But we'll see how it goes... I've been ultra busy building a career (to pay for my expensive addiction, pfft and the coke heads think they have it bad! :P )

Anyways, still looking for more info on closing off roof with steel.

Adam