Sunroof Delete
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,714
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From: Ortonville, MI
Exterior panel with interior piece is hair under 6lbs
Yes, the entire assembly is about 30.
By the time you're done smoothing out the FG with filler, plan on 10-13lbs. You wouldn't need as much (hardley any) filler if you welded it shut as you'd only be filling the minor imperfections left after grinding the welds down.
To each his own though.....
Yes, the entire assembly is about 30.
By the time you're done smoothing out the FG with filler, plan on 10-13lbs. You wouldn't need as much (hardley any) filler if you welded it shut as you'd only be filling the minor imperfections left after grinding the welds down.
To each his own though.....
And i get what you are saying about welding it shut, but I want a removable panel.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 2
From: Ortonville, MI
Once again, I want to make a removable panel. I could easily weld a piece of sheet metal in there and that is the way I would do it if that is what I wanted to do. I have the welder I even have the steel, just not what I want to do here.
Maybe the name of this post is misleading. Originally though, I was just asking if someone made a panel that would go in the hole.
Thanks for all your responses guys.
Maybe the name of this post is misleading. Originally though, I was just asking if someone made a panel that would go in the hole.
Thanks for all your responses guys.
ooohhhh my bad bro
i was distracted from all the crazy ideas people were coming up with, You want the sunroof to be able to pop out and in when you want...sorry i should of read your post twice
Well think of cars that have removable sunroofs , maybe you can steal one of that cars feature.
Say the 80s camaro , you how they came t-tops where each side was removable well , what if you can get a hold of the hinges that model.
I mean all you will be left in doing is a simple tack and weld bracket here and there plus you keep the oem look still
Think about towards the front of the panel you put the hinges and towards the rear on each side you put those pul push levers that the camaro came with hell if you even want you can make it to were you canb lift the levers and lock it in place so you can still have the panel in place yet venting
i was distracted from all the crazy ideas people were coming up with, You want the sunroof to be able to pop out and in when you want...sorry i should of read your post twice
Well think of cars that have removable sunroofs , maybe you can steal one of that cars feature.
Say the 80s camaro , you how they came t-tops where each side was removable well , what if you can get a hold of the hinges that model.
I mean all you will be left in doing is a simple tack and weld bracket here and there plus you keep the oem look still
Think about towards the front of the panel you put the hinges and towards the rear on each side you put those pul push levers that the camaro came with hell if you even want you can make it to were you canb lift the levers and lock it in place so you can still have the panel in place yet venting
Last edited by Alex Rodriguez; Sep 24, 2008 at 10:18 PM.
Just use the existing sunroof panel and add those items to it. You'll obviously need to make a number of brackets/trays underneath to support the sunroof panel in the closed position as well as to kep water out, but thats probably your best bet for something "close" in a manual sunroof.
Sorry I misunderstood, I was mostly trying to steer you away from making a mess of that roof with fiberglass
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 2
From: Ortonville, MI
the only problem I see with using using the the existing panel is sealing it, as im sure you know the stock sunroof utilizes a system of drains as well as the weatherstripping.
Im going to see what info I can find on the first gen sunroof.
Thanks
Im going to see what info I can find on the first gen sunroof.
Thanks
check local yellow pages for shops that install aftermarket sunroofs, maybe they can look through thier books to see if they can install one a little larger or the same size as what you have now.
OK enough BS.
The factory sunroof panel has a slight curve to fit the roof. A flat piece of sheet metal will not work unless you plan on using alot of bondo to round off the roof.The best method is using the stock sunroof panel. Remove all of the tracks and motor from the panel.
Then position the original outer sunroof panel in the correct place. Oh don't forget to remove the weather stripping. You then will have to weld a few metal tabs from the panel to the surrounding roof flange.One in each corner should be fine so you can bend the tabs enough to properly adjust the panel for a flush mount before permantly welding it in.do not use bondo to fill in the crack around the panel. It will crack very soon down the line. You will also have to make a strong/very stiff brace to run from under the rear connecting to the panel then front of the roof to keep it in place and to avoid damage or cracks in the work. the best way is to cut strips of sheet metal that fit in the gaps and first spot weld them in to fill the 1\4 in gap around the panel.This will ensure a stiff and sturdy attackment around to avoid flexing and cracking. Bondo will crack. Take your time to avoid excessive heat transfer and warping of the steel.
And after all this BS I wrote why not just buy a GTUs with no roof like me?
The factory sunroof panel has a slight curve to fit the roof. A flat piece of sheet metal will not work unless you plan on using alot of bondo to round off the roof.The best method is using the stock sunroof panel. Remove all of the tracks and motor from the panel.
Then position the original outer sunroof panel in the correct place. Oh don't forget to remove the weather stripping. You then will have to weld a few metal tabs from the panel to the surrounding roof flange.One in each corner should be fine so you can bend the tabs enough to properly adjust the panel for a flush mount before permantly welding it in.do not use bondo to fill in the crack around the panel. It will crack very soon down the line. You will also have to make a strong/very stiff brace to run from under the rear connecting to the panel then front of the roof to keep it in place and to avoid damage or cracks in the work. the best way is to cut strips of sheet metal that fit in the gaps and first spot weld them in to fill the 1\4 in gap around the panel.This will ensure a stiff and sturdy attackment around to avoid flexing and cracking. Bondo will crack. Take your time to avoid excessive heat transfer and warping of the steel.
And after all this BS I wrote why not just buy a GTUs with no roof like me?
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