Sunroof Panel...Ever made one ?

Deschodt · 11:07 AM

The removable (inner) panel from my sunroof was covered in nasty torn headliner and was jamming the mechanism. It was unclipped and removed a few years back, and stayed in the garage until I ended up driving on it or something, to the point where it was so bent I threw it away... I'm talking about #2 here, the frame thing with clips on the edge...

My bad, I should have kept the front portion that has those clips that attach it to the sunroof itself. Now I'm SOL... Has anyone made a replacement inner sunroof panel ?

I figure a piece of plastic (like those thin cutting boards to cut veggies) could easily do the job when covered in fabric, but there is that "clipping into the sunroof" issue.. I can probably come up with something, a fastener hidden under the new headliner material, but I am sure someone on the board has come up with a good idea before... maybe ?

Greg.

PS: Or if you just welded your sunroof shut, would you sell me yours please ?

ossiblue · 10-15-2009, 11:22 AM

I think your attempt to secure a used frame is a good idea--it'll keep things simple. I don't have a clue how many might be "out there", but there have beem many threads dealing with sealing up the sunroof, so you are on the right track.

Making one from another material may work, but you will have to be very careful. The veggie cutting board is a start, but would be too thick IMO. The clearance in the rails is very small and you have to have a very thin piece fit in there. Also, the clips in the front will have to penetrate far enough to engage the sunroof panel so the frame in front will have to be very thin. Perhaps another starting material, thin plexiglas for example, would be better.

Let us know how things work out, and here's hoping someone with an old frame can jump in for you.

4G1 · 10-15-2009, 03:21 PM

I made door panels out of carbon fiber, very thin and strong. It would be easy to make a panel for the sunroof. Is it a flat panel?

rolls 912 · rolls 912's Garage

THere is one for sale on The Samba -

Deschodt · 10-16-2009, 05:44 AM

I'm not worried about making a thin panel, but I am worried about the front clips that are embeded in it.. I'm probably better off tracking down a used one...

The one on the samba is a whole assembly for $275.. I just need the inside frame... Hopefully someone who closed up their sunroof will have one gathering dust for substantially less !

kmhemi · 10-16-2009, 07:15 AM

I have a spare one in my garage somewhere. I will have to try to find it this weekend. I have a black one and a white one. One of them is for my car. the other came with some sunroof parts I bought to fix mine. I am in WV so shipping to FLA wouldnt be too terrible. Dont make one thats too much hassle.

porschenut · 10-16-2009, 07:18 AM

try Parts Heaven, DC Auto, etc. You can easily buy that panel from a dismantler.

Deschodt · 10-16-2009, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmhemi

I have a spare one in my garage somewhere. I will have to try to find it this weekend. I have a black one and a white one. One of them is for my car. the other came with some sunroof parts I bought to fix mine. I am in WV so shipping to FLA wouldnt be too terrible. Dont make one thats too much hassle.

PLease let me know... When you say black and white one, you mean still covered with headliner material? If so, no matter, I can redo it from scratch either way...
Let me know what you want for it, you can PM me if you prefer.... Thanks !

>try Parts Heaven, DC Auto, etc. You can easily buy that panel from a dismantler.

That's the next step if Kmhemi cannot find it, now that everyone concurs I'm better off buying one... Thanks guys... never mind the vegetable cutting board ;-)

kmhemi · 10-16-2009, 07:32 AM

I am at work now. I called home and my wife looked for them. They are both right where I thought they were. Yes, they both still have headliner material on them but I think the white materail is bad. The black one is useable. I just installed a new headliner in my car. I have not recovered a panel for it yet. What color is your headliner?
I'll work with you to make sure you get one. I know enough people on this board have balied me out by sending me hard to find parts.

Deschodt · 10-16-2009, 07:38 AM

My headliner is black, but really it doesn't matter, I can buy some material and recover it anyway, keep the one you need most, I guess...

Right now my car looks a bit unfinished with a raw sunroof underside ;-)

kmhemi · 10-16-2009, 07:42 AM

if the healinder material is good on the black one I will send it to you and I'll recover the white one. The first thing we need to do is look at them both and make sure all the clips are there that fasten it to the roof panel. I will look at them tonight and reply back to let you know what kind of shape they are in. I get home a little after 5pm..

NutmegCarrera · NutmegCarrera's Garage

kmhemi-
#1 - your wife is absolutely cool! If I called home to ask for help finding car parts...
#2 - I'm glad somebody posted this question. I have the same problem, and have been too embarrassed to ask for help thus far.

For everybody else - is there another one of these floating around somewhere for reasonable $$$? I have a dark brown headliner - but would be thrilled to find that frame for re-covering. One of the multiple things missing when I purchased this car.

Thanks.

group911@aol.co · 10-16-2009, 07:23 PM

I think I have one in chocolate. E-mail me.

kmhemi · 10-16-2009, 07:31 PM

Thanks for the compliment on my wife. she helps me with my cars all the time. she has owned a 944, a 914 and a 70 Cuda 340 4 speed. she's a cool wife.

Deschodt:
I looked at the panels. One of them has ONE and ONLY one clip broken on the front rail. If you still want it I will give it to you. all you have to do is pay shipping.
As tight as these things seat against the panel I honestly dont think one clip willl matter. If you want to keep looking you can probably find a perfect one with no clips missing. let me know if you want it.. Free is hard to pass up.

Deschodt · 10-17-2009, 08:14 PM

Kmhemi,

That's fine, I also doubt one clip would make or break the deal... I'd appreciate it... I'll send you my info via PM ! Thanks !!! Only on this board...

tseybold · 12-14-2009, 07:54 PM

I am new here and have a simple question. How do you install those panels? My 80 SC came in parts and I am having trouble getting into place (Into hole) Does it slide in the actual track? I can't even get it in the opening??

Deschodt · 12-15-2009, 04:49 AM

It can be a PITA. I've done it a few times with no problems and yet last time I could not get it in, which is why I needed a new panel (got mine bent, got pissed off, left it in the garage somewhere till it dissapeared)! Normally, with the sunroof popped off and clear access from the top, that flimsy panel slides in the grooves on the rails... you may bend it a little to get it started - can't remember - but you push it back once it's in the grooves, so that you can reattach the metal panel, and then slide it forwards again to clip it on the edge of the metal panel. You and I may want to check the grooves it slides into are free of debris !

tseybold · 12-15-2009, 12:30 PM

Thank you

Cory M · 12-15-2009, 04:00 PM

if anyone is looking for a complete sunroof assembly send me a PM, I just removed one from a 1988 Carrera for a racecar build