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Potentially stupid question alert! Installing a sunroof on a closed roof FB

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Old Jun 25, 2004 | 11:55 AM
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Potentially stupid question alert! Installing a sunroof on a closed roof FB

I'm an FC driver, and we just got a FB for my dad. It's a cool little car, 85 GS, Beautiful interior, good engine, but the body is on the rough side, so we're going to be giving new paint, and fixing all the rust, the normal stuff.. The only thing is, it doesn't have a sunroof from the factory. It's not THAT big a deal, but dad says he does enjoy my FC with it, and I was wondering how difficult a job it would be to put a sunroof in the GS?

To be fair, I know nothing about the sun/moon roofs for the FB, but I do know quite about about the sunroof assembly for my FC. I dont' think it would be too hard to install it, either. I guess my main question is: Are all of the mounting points (Screw holes, and bolts) on the ceiling already, or Would I have to weld some in? And did FBs come with power sunroofs that opened all the way, or should I be looking into a FC sunroof to mod in?

Anyone done this, or is a pretty stupid Idea and I should be smacked?
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Old Jun 25, 2004 | 01:34 PM
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You should be smacked! No just kidding but seriously, I haven't seen an aftermarket sunroof on an fb yet that looks good. Only the factory ones look good because they curve properly with the roof of the car. Aftermarket are usually flat, besides you will weaken the car a little, I would leave it without one, it's a sports car, you don't need a sunroof, just drive fast!
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Old Jun 25, 2004 | 01:46 PM
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The one I put in would be from a Rx-7... I'm just trying to figure out if FBs came with sunroofs that opened all the way, or if they were only the pop open ones.

I did also consider the weakening the roof thing, That's sorta why i asked about the mounting hardware and whether it's there anyway. Because if it's still there from the factory, it obviously wouldn't be any weaker than the stock, sunroof'd roofs...

And you gotta admit, a sunroof is cool, mine is open almost all the time on my FC
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Old Jun 25, 2004 | 02:00 PM
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The stock FB sunroofs are very large and come in two varieties, a solid (no glass) pop-open type and a glass pop-open. (Pop-open is sorta misleading..There is a turn dial used to open the sun-roofs.)

I don't know if the FB's came with the mounting points 'pre-installed' from the factory. I would either do a search on this forum or maybe call Maxdatrix or someone like that for an answer.

Any good body man should be able to install a sunroof, even a factory one. Just takes money$$.
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Old Jun 25, 2004 | 02:52 PM
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I just say buy another shell. Its not worth the hassle converting or paying some shop to do it when FB's can be had for $200-1000 with blown engines. Much easier to swap an engine than messing with the structural integrity of the car.
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Old Jun 25, 2004 | 02:55 PM
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Tom - Okay, that answers the one question, I haven't seen a FB with a slide open type, But I wasn't sure. maybe i'll take the roof down and see what i'm dealing with

Dan H - Yeah, but that's no fun I'm sure I can install it with no problem, I've gotten creative before

Thanks!
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Old Jun 25, 2004 | 02:58 PM
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You could cut and weld one to the other too.
My friend does that kind of **** all the time. Like I said- depends on how much $$ (or skill) you've got..
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Old Jun 25, 2004 | 03:06 PM
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tom - Well, I'm low on both, but I do have TIME to substitue, you can make a lot of **** up when you have time I guess there is some skill running around here too
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Old Jun 25, 2004 | 03:27 PM
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Mine has an aftermarket sunroof I'm told, in a GS body. It doesn't screw out, or pop out, or slide back. It sorta pops up, but the handle is broke, so it actually comes out and gets tossed in the back of the car. I generally don't take it out though. I think it looks nicely installed, the only problem is the trim paint has started coming off.

I think all he's saying about the mounting already being there, is that if cars were sold with sunroofs, and some without, then both would have the same structural integrity as far as sunroofs are concerned.

I really prefer the moonroof on the MX-6 I have, it slides back, inside the roof, not outside. But that's another animal entirely (:
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