Plexiglass/Polycarbonate Moonoofs
 

I had a nice lightweight plexiglass moonoof on my car. It was nice because it had the advantages of being lightweight AND transparent, giving me the best of all worlds. Unfortunatly it was broken when my car rolled this past spring.
I've been had-pressed to find a replacement for my new car, so I've decided to make my own.

It's not too hard hard for those interested in doing it themselves, but it is SOME work.

I've had a few people contact me about the possibility of my producing the moonroof for others.

So basically it would break down to <$100 + shipping for the panel, pre-drilled and ready for hardware installation. You would have to re-use the hardware from you existing sunroof or a junkyard roof (2 front pivots/clips, rear latch/clip). The only replacement source I have found for the sunroof hardware is VB and it's ~$150 from them.

The roofs would be made from strong lightweight plexiglass, tinted probably a medium bronze. It weighs about half as much as the stock metal roofs, and WAY less than the stock glass.

There might also be alternate tints available, or the possibility of Polycarbonate (lighter and stronger), for slightly more, depending on interest.

This is all based on the larger Series 2-3 roofs with the big knob/crank. The smaller Series 1 (SA) roofs could also be made, probably cheaper (depending on demand).

Now as I said at the beginning of the post, this is just an interest thread. The prices are still rough at this point, and production wouldn't start until the new year at the earliest.

But if you're interested, please post.
I also welcome constructive feedback and comments on this project.
If you think this is a pile of crap, that's your right, but keep it polite please.

Thanks!
-Spencer

For those who want a lightweight sunroof option immediately, read this:
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/fibreglass-hoods-464310/

Also, if you're interested in making a plexi roof yourself, feel free to contact for what I've already learned...

bump...
Nobody...?

I might be interested if I'm able to use hardware from a steel moonroof. Mine is getting rusted and in need of replacement. I would like to go with a "clear sunroof".

I'd like to see some pictures first. One problem is that it already gets hotter than hell in my car on sunny days, and a transparent sunroof wouldn't help that in the least.

I made some for the Second Gen boys. For the FB, it would be 10 times easier. Just take your original roof to a place that sells Poly and cut out a mold. You could probably make 4 roofs from one sheet.

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...=polycarbonate

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...=polycarbonate


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...7/fa3c8309.jpg

5 from one sheet by my calculations...

Yup. Hardware from metal will work fine...

Of course you'll be able to see one first:D
Just wanted to know if I should bother planning out the production or just make mine and call it a day...

Right now I'm planning a medium bronze tint to cut down the solar issue, but it would be possible to do a darker tint if people are interested...

Bronze huh? Would go well with my brown interior *gag*

Still trying to get used to that color...

It's the "standard" tinting colour... Others are available too...

Sun Roof
 

How thick of material are you going to use? Thanks, DICK

Right now I'm planning 1/4" plexi, as that's what my orignal roof was. If people are interested in the roof, I was thinking of prototyping 1/5" with a bit more reinforcement to see if I can save on cost/weight/shipping without sacrificing quality. (Cost savings would, of couse, be passed on to the buyers)

The polycarbonate could possibly be thinner as it's a stronger material.

i might be interested, how much weight savings do you think they would give? (each of them)

thanks

I was gaging at the interior color, not the tint color lol

I'm hoping I can get the plexi down to about 6-7 lbs, and maybe 4lbs for the poly...
These are estimates only so don't kill me if it changes, but it should be close...

I don't have my stock glass or metal roofs here, so you'll have to wait until Thursday if you want the weight of the stock parts...

Hehe, np.

I had the maroon and brown on my last car...
I'm sure brown seemed like a good idea back in the 80's...

is it going to be flat or rounded and follow the lines of the car?

i would be intersted if i had a sunroof:(

It'll be made from a flat sheet. However it IS somewhat flexible, and the positioning of the two forward clips should provide enough curve. If it doesn't I'll have to figure out how to make it curved.

Let me say this:
I won't be producing these if I cannot get the quality high enough.
I won't produce a product I wouldn't use on my own car.

I'll have the disposable income necessary by next Spring for a purchase. Count me in...:cool:

I have a Sawsall you can borrow! Lol!:rlaugh:

Here is my 2 cents.

You should bake the plexi/polycarb in the oven for a bit so it can take form and therefore cause less stress on screws and frame. It wouldnt take much and should fit into a normal oven. Of course, I havent tried this theory. Would be best to use a newer oven also so there is a few more inches of depth just in case.

That's a possiblity. I was actually going to talk to my plexi place(s) to see what they reccomend, although I'm not worried about a stressing the plexi. It has a Flexural Strength (Rupture) of 16,500psi

Okay,
Update:
I've gotten a quote back and it looks like ~$100 + shipping is perfectly do-able... might be a couple bucks less, but it definitely WILL NOT be higher than $100US

I'm going to be ordering a couple prototypes in the next few weeks, and we'll see how it goes...

Okay, the poject will be on hold for a couple weeks while I'm in the proccess of moving, plus I want to wait for Forum approval before this moves from being project to an item for sale...

Hopefully have info for a group buy in a month or so...

Polycarb moon roof
 

Very keen to learn more about your plexi roof install. I have a 79 Kombi van and need to address a hole left over from a poorly installed roof vent. Was thinking that making a moon roof out of poly carb would be dope, however I am concerned on how to install it properly to make sure it 100%water tight.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated