Is Partial Sunroof Removal Possible?

[Don Plumley]

Question: Can I remove the "back half" of the sunroof structure and mechanism, while leaving the sunroof in place, pinning or otherwise fastening the sunroof panel in the closed position?

Background/Why: My car is on a one-way adventure - I'm not worried about returning it to stock. At some point - 6 mos to 1 year, I'll want to go with a whole-hog fabricated cage (see the cup car pics). Today, that's a little overkill, a little out of budget, and presents different challenges for a street-driven (to/from the track) car.

I'm not overly thrilled with the bolt-in roll bars, and economically, to buy one, install it, then take it out in six months/1 year seems silly. So a fabbed in roll hoop that can be modified into the cage seems reasonable.

In talking with the fabricator, to make a proper one that we can modify into a cage requires the sunroof to be removed (so we can push the cage out to the perimeter of the car as far as possible plus weight reduction). So here's my dilemma. I'm prepared to cut out the roof and replace, but not today. I've searched the archives on sunroof removal, and for those keeping the hole, there is welding/bondo/paint involved. I'd like to avoid that today.

Question restated: Can I take a cut-off wheel and remove everything aft of the sunroof panel (which is where the roll hoop needs to get near the roof), and fasten down the sliding mechanism to keep the panel in place (for now)?

Thanks,

Don

[bigchillcar]

what about epoxying in a fiberglass sunroof for now?
ryan

[Don Plumley]

Ryan - because it sounds like bondo and paint, and buying something with a six month life.

Anyone else have a clue what the mechanism/sheet metal looks like up there before I'm forced to destroy a perfectly good headliner?

Don

[Vipergrün]

Hee hee hee, I had the whole roof skin on my SC replaced for my 73 RS backdate project, well, actually Kevin @ AIR did it....very cool, plus saved lbs. Or, you could just weld the existing panel in place......

[schubee]

Don,

I removed it on my 964. It should be similar to your 993, I think. I don't think I took any pictures so I can't give you a visual of what it looks like. It's sort of a 'tray' in which the sunroof panel slides into. Towards the rear of the car is the motor, cables, and drain lines. There is a zipper that you can unzip to take a peep at what you're getting into.

I'll check the PET to see if they have any pictures.

Regards,

[Don Plumley]

John - Yeah, I've unzipped and looked, and looked at the PET as well.

When you say you removed it on your 964, did you remove the entire assy or just the back half? How did you affix the sunroof panel?

Thanks,

Don

[schubee]

Originally posted by Don Plumley
Question: Can I remove the "back half" of the sunroof structure and mechanism, while leaving the sunroof in place, pinning or otherwise fastening the sunroof panel in the closed position?

Question restated: Can I take a cut-off wheel and remove everything aft of the sunroof panel (which is where the roll hoop needs to get near the roof), and fasten down the sliding mechanism to keep the panel in place (for now)?

Oh, and to answer your question above, yes and yes.

[schubee]

Don,

I removed the entire assembly and had the sunroof panel tacked welded in.

A body shop then filled and painted the top. I plan to have the entire roof replaced with a non-sunroof top later in the future.

I went with a safety device cage instead of fabbing one. It is a bolt on however I had the sill plates welded.