Sunroof. Rebuild it or weld it shut?

thrown_hammer · 03-17-2004, 07:45 AM

I pulled the sunroof panel out to sand it and found out why it never worked so good. Its broken in places and all the plastic bushings are in pieces. So should I spend countless confusing hours rebuilding it or weld it shut and forget about it?

For reference my car is slowly transforming into to a DE/very uncomfortable street car.

If I weld it shut I will leave the headliner so it looks like a sunroof from inside. just remove all the guts.

Jeff Alton · 03-17-2004, 07:51 AM

You shouuls weld it. However, take lots of pics and then post a "how to" so that the rest of us can see how to do it!!!

Jeff

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

If it a DE car why do you need to weld it shut? Roll cage should add enough stiffness to the chassis that you loose with the sun roof.

If you weld you need to grind, fill, prime, repaint and buff. I say leave it.

SandyI · 03-17-2004, 07:59 AM

I think a fully-funtioning sunroof adds value to your car.
I'd keep it.

thrown_hammer · 03-17-2004, 08:00 AM

Already repainting. Thats the reason I pulled the panel, so we could sand it. I dont have a roll cage yet.(keyword=yet) The way it fell apart in my hands it looks like a mechanical nightmare.

competentone · 03-17-2004, 08:26 AM

I'm considering a similiar issue (once I find out what's up with the motor in a '80 SC)--the weep holes have rusted (I think the car was near the ocean for part of its life) so it was leaking severely during rain.

I have it taped up now, but am thinking that a quick non-permanant fix will be to make an aluminum panel and rubber gasket that I can "clamp" in place.

The existing sunroof would have to be open. The new panel would be slightly larger with "stepped down" and "stepped in" stops so it will not slide side-to-side or forward-to-backward in the existing openning.

The clamping mechanism could be made so that the new panel could be removed and stored in the trunk easily if I wanted an open sunroof.

If the entire car ends up being stripped down for a repainting, I'd plan on repairing the existing pan/weep-holes, but am just thinking about a secure solution to keep things dry for now without destroying the factory original roof.

unimog · 03-17-2004, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by competentone
but am thinking that a quick non-permanant fix will be to make an aluminum panel and rubber gasket that I can "clamp" in place.....

I am thinking of doing the same thing, only with the 'replacement' sunroof being made from tinted Lexan. I think the biggest problem is getting the roof curvature correct. I've seen replacement F/G sunroofs, but does any one make aluminum, steel or Lexan one?

thrown_hammer · 03-17-2004, 09:10 AM

If anyone has a F/G panel and wants a factory sunroof i will trade ya even up for everything. FYI. Acouple pieces and some bushings would need replaced.

rpiper · 03-17-2004, 09:46 AM

Replace it with a FG panel that Damon (series900) is going to be fabricating and selling. You'll take 40 lbs out by removing it. I get the first one though! See this thread:
new roof skin

CRNT918 · 03-17-2004, 10:05 AM

I've done the plastic version. with some molding made by Elka of Germany. Scott at Spektr formed it for me with the help of a sunroof that I sent him. It's starting to crack, so I have to call him to see if it was acrylic or lexan. I've got a new version in the works, that'll be removeable, just need someone's car to practice on!

thrown_hammer · 03-17-2004, 10:08 AM

CRNT918,
Maybe we can work out a deal? I am in Warsaw, IN.

911ctS · 03-17-2004, 10:29 AM

or a carbon fiber sunroof pannel!!!

goat · goat's Garage

How about a bubble moon roof!
All aside though would welding leave a bead in any case for DE & such it would lower weight in a high place.

mwbaum · mwbaum's Garage

The first thing I do on a nice sunny day is open my sunroof.....it greatly adds to my driving pleasure...especially when driving through the mountains......I would NEVer weld it shut. Plus that would subtract from resale value.

Groesbeck Hurricane · 03-17-2004, 11:22 AM

In a DE vehicle, weight savings. In a daily driver, keep the sunroof and enjoy the wind flapping through your ear hair!

CRNT918 · 03-17-2004, 11:35 AM

Hey Shawn,
I'm going out of town till Monday,
we'll talk when I get back!
Pete

carmaneddy · carmaneddy's Garage

If a track car, taking out the sunroof should give you more head room if replace with thin panel.

unimog · 03-17-2004, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CRNT918
I've done the plastic version. with some molding made by Elka of Germany. Scott at Spektr formed it for me with the help of a sunroof that I sent him. It's starting to crack, so I have to call him to see if it was acrylic or lexan. I've got a new version in the works, that'll be removeable, just need someone's car to practice on!

CRNT918
I'd sure be interested in one. I'd prefer Lexan over acrylic, but whatever is/will be available would be great. I figure replacing the stock sunroof with a tinted Lexan/acrylic sunroof will remove 40-50 pounds from the highest point, give me more headroom for a helmet, let me have the sky view when it is raining (Northern Calif), and still be removable for the sunny days.
Please keep me in the 'loop' if they become available.

kpmurray · 03-17-2004, 12:06 PM

Fix it- it's pretty much a piece of cake, plenty of pics are available as well as the parts from our sponsor. I can't believe any weight savings would offset the benefits of driving with the top open. Besides - the car will get plenty warm on track days while you are waiting your turn at Gingerman.

TRE Cup · TRE Cup's Garage

We make the fiberglass sunroof panel for 911 and 944. you can glue it in. most of our clients elected to use black silicone to give the car a stock appearance. Some have bonded them in using various fillers from the auto body supply stores. Saves 17 lbs over the steel one! e mail us for details info@tremotorsports.com