Sunroof options?

rdane · rdane's Garage

What are the options for replacing a factory electric sunroof?

I {think I} want to drop the weigh and loose the stress of having to replace all the seals, parts and the leaks. More head room and less weight.

I am thinking a glue in I can see through or carbon fiber. Any one have some other options they have seen or done and like.

juan ruiz · juan ruiz's Garage

We will be doing the same thing, remove all the hardware and make a Carbon Fiber cover

makaio · 05-30-2004, 06:09 PM

I have seen Fiberglass riveted in, like the panel TRE sells.

I have seen plexiglass cut to shape and bolted in.

If $ was not a worry, I would re-skin it with a solid panel, which I have seen as well. But since money is an object for me, I'm going with the panel TRE sells, either bonded in or riveted.

89911 · 05-30-2004, 08:28 PM

If you remove the sunroof and replace with a lighter material, it is generally considered safe to have further support in the means of a cage. Usually this adds more weight then the sunroof removal. I think this fall under the catagory "race car" more then anything. You will most likely be left with a less then concours result externally and internally, you'll have to deal with replacing the headliner to make it look at least somewhat original. Race cars generally go without the headliner to save further weight and the hassle of replacing them. You can find other areas to remove weight that are far easier.

rdane · rdane's Garage

Actually started thinking about this while doing the head liner. Guess the see through version is out (didn't htink that one through) and would need to make it a weld in.

makaio · 05-31-2004, 03:06 AM

What's sad is, last weekend I saw a 72 911-T coupe that someone had cut a hole in the roof and put one of those cheasy sunroofs in.

Schrup · Schrup's Garage

GT sells a complete carbon fiber roof, that would be a great oppurtunity to install a custom cage. Here is what a friend did.

DG624 · 06-09-2004, 12:25 PM

Makaio, I was thinking of replacing my sunroof with a solid roof (welded in panel filled and painted). Has this option been successful aesthetically? Did it look like a patch or was it undetectable? I hesitate to try this if it won't look right. I really don't like sunroofs and never use mine.

enolam · 06-09-2004, 12:58 PM

I welded my sun roof panel in and went to alot of trouble to get it to look perfect, which it did until it sat in the sun for a short time. The expansion / contraction caused the welds to show. Now I have to do the whole roof again. Maybe if a professional had done it in the first place the seams wouldn't have shown up.
(sun roofs are for Toyota's)

Rot 911 · 06-09-2004, 01:01 PM

In my opinion, that riveted plexiglass sunroof just looks cheap.

KobaltBlau · 06-09-2004, 01:07 PM

I like it!

rdane · rdane's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Kurt V
In my opinion, that riveted plexiglass sunroof just looks cheap.

I bet it was which is why it is on a track car. Looks like a decent answer for that situation. Although I wouldn't like the distraction myself.

DG624 · 06-09-2004, 01:15 PM

Malone, I never liked sunroofs and tried to find a Carrera without a sunroof but it seemed impossible. I did find an 80SC without a SR but it was in very rough condition and they wanted $9,000 in 1998. I have wanted to replace the SR since I bought the car but most body shops don't think it is worth it ($1,000) so I have waited until I can have other body work done. I want to do the roof the interior and the front plaus some rust. SHould be expansive but I think it would make the car much better looking and lighter.

ajackson · 01:29 PM

If you don't like or use your sunroof, just leave it shut. Sucks that you have a bit of extra weight and you lose an inch or two of head room, but unless it is a race car I don't know if it is worth going through the huge pain of permanantly removing it.

Edit: I know this opinion doesn't really answer the posters question in any way, so feel free to ignore it. I've just looked at my options on my own car and decided it wasn't worth the pain.

rpiper · 06-09-2004, 07:37 PM

Dane, I have thought about this for my car as well. Series 900 ( I don't remember his name) is designing a fiberglass replacement panel that will fit exactly in the hole and require a lot less fill around the edges than some other offerings on the market. Still, by the time all is said and done it is really a lot of money to spend. I have to agree with ajackson. I don't think I'll be doing it until I need to repaint the top anyways, and then while I'm at it I'll put a new headliner (which it could use now). I keep watching the weather forecast for severe hail........

89911 · 06-10-2004, 04:38 AM

We thought of doing this to my brothers rebuilt 87....for about 5 minutes. Hard to see how it won't look like a cobbled up nightmare when its done. Kind of like what people were doing in the 80's and putting in their own sunroofs from Pep Boys, but in reverse. With a AC gone, you need the extra ventilation also.

DG624 · 06-10-2004, 05:11 AM

89911 and Jackson, I see the practical side but the "I want it my way" feeling is still there. I see this car as a performance car with a bunch of unimportant luxuries that break or add weight. The sunroof, front headlight washers, cruise control, air conditioning have all failed or need repair. I removed the front headlight washer (welded the holes and painted the bumper) and it eliminated a bunch of junk and made the car easier to work on. I am contemplating the removal of the air and center consol which is just more add on stuff that breaks. I could probably spend the money on something more productive but .... I have always felt that simplicity was the heart of good design.

thrown_hammer · 06-10-2004, 07:06 AM

When I pulled my sonroof panel out for paint millions of little brittle plastic parts came out. I put the panel back in without replacing the plastic parts and used black silicone as a seal. One day i will replace it with a F/G panel paint it body color and do the same. It looks like the sunroof seal and is flush with the roof. At that point the motor and other crap will come out as well.

DG624 · 06-10-2004, 07:16 AM

I would like to hear form some body/paint experts on how a replace/repaint would be done and the expected results. I have talked to several body shops but felt that they didn't like the idea. I just want to be able to judge if the job is faesible and how much it should cost.

89911 · 06-10-2004, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DG624
I would like to hear form some body/paint experts on how a replace/repaint would be done and the expected results. I have talked to several body shops but felt that they didn't like the idea. I just want to be able to judge if the job is faesible and how much it should cost.

Factor in a rollcage if your going with fiberglass or some other material that will weaken the structure.