Sunroof idea

[eternal21]

I'm really wanting one, but I'm a budget-minded DIYer. Instead of paying for an aftermarket roof, it would be more economical (and logical) to find a sunroof assembly from a junked Passport or Rodeo and use OEM equipment. I imagine I can get my hands on the assembly for a couple hundred bucks at most.

Has anyone else ever tried this?

[circmand]

I'm really wanting one, but I'm a budget-minded DIYer. Instead of paying for an aftermarket roof, it would be more economical (and logical) to find a sunroof assembly from a junked Passport or Rodeo and use OEM equipment. I imagine I can get my hands on the assembly for a couple hundred bucks at most.

Has anyone else ever tried this?

Manual sunroof new doesnt cost much, has no parts to break and replace and no wires to run in the installation. That being said the roof headliner in the vX is not the best for a sunroof.

[vt_maverick]

I hear you on saving money, but are you prepared to take a band saw to your roof? That gives me chills just thinking about it...

[eternal21]

I hear you on saving money, but are you prepared to take a band-saw to your roof? That gives me chills just thinking about it...

Compared to my Legend build, that's not a big deal *lol*. I'll post that over here one day to give y'all an idea. I completely gutted that car, interior and engine bay, and trunk, to rebuild it. With time, preparation, and patience, yeah, I'd take my Rotozip to the VX w/out much hesitation.

Manual sunroof new doesnt cost much, has no parts to break and replace and no wires to run in the installation. That being said the roof headliner in the vX is not the best for a sunroof.

I'm assuming I can take the Rodeo/Passport headliner and transfer it over?

[Riff Raff]

Eternal21--- My VX has a professionally installed aftermarket Electric Moon-Roof (approx $1,500 installed) and I can't imagine owning a VX without it. To my knowledge; no one here on this forum has ever done a "transplant" from a Rodeo/Passport, and you would be venturing in unchartered waters.

The most inexpensive route and with the least amount of installation headaches, would be to install a simple non-electric "Pop-Top" version manual sunroof using the existing headliner.

[Luna X]

Factory sunroofs have little holes in each corner attached to lengths of tubing for the purpose of water extraction.

I wouldn't recommend going the factory transplant route, unless you want to replace the whole roof skin.

It would be much easier to go with an aftermarket one...

[eternal21]

Eternal21--- My VX has a professionally installed aftermarket Electric Moon-Roof (approx $1,500 installed) and I can't imagine owning a VX without it. To my knowledge; no one here on this forum has ever done a "transplant" from a Rodeo/Passport, and you would be venturing in unchartered waters.

The most inexpensive route and with the least amount of installation headaches, would be to install a simple non-electric "Pop-Top" version manual sunroof using the existing headliner.

Negative, full electric or bust. Budget minding yes, cheap, no. Every car I've owned save 2 had electric units, and those 2 didn't b/c they were targa tops (both del sols).

And venturing into uncharted waters is something I do. I think *WAY* outside the box (currently I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to put 4 piston calipers on this thing )

Factory sunroofs have little holes in each corner attached to lengths of tubing for the purpose of water extraction.

I wouldn't recommend going the factory transplant route, unless you want to replace the whole roof skin.

It would be much easier to go with an aftermarket one...

Yes, the run channels that flow down the A and C pillars. I've replaced the entire assembly on the Legend, so I'm familiar with them. I don't see how the whole roof skin would have to be replaced. I have a competent welder, so I think I'll visit a couple @ the junkyard to see what I can see and make a determination based on that.

Where there's a will, there's a way

[circmand]

Negative, full electric or bust. Budget minding yes, cheap, no. Every car I've owned save 2 had electric units, and those 2 didn't b/c they were targa tops (both del sols).

I have had a few with the manual pop up. I enjoyed them and had no leak issues or repair bills. The last cost me $189 installed (many years ago) if I could find an installer I would do the manual again.

I wish you could still get manual transmissions, manual roll down windows, manual seat adjustments, Manual radio tuners, cars you could do a manual tune up without a computer, manual mirror adjustments etc. The automobile operations system remains pretty similar to what it was in the 70s with a few changes. New cars used to sell for $3,500 now the VX sold for almost $35,000. That is a hundred times more expensive for butt warmers and other namby pamby accesories. They arent worth $30,000.

[eternal21]

I wish you could still get manual transmissions, manual roll down windows, manual seat adjustments, Manual radio tuners, cars you could do a manual tune up without a computer, manual mirror adjustments etc.

*lol* Well, I have the manual tranny and we all have the manual seats, so I'm partway there

[vt_maverick]

...currently I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to put 4 piston calipers on this thing )...

You let me know when you get that figured out... that's been on my dream sheet for awhile.

[eternal21]

I have a set from an FD that are currently sitting in my garage, a wild imagination, and a great machinist/welder Given that the brakes seem to SUCK on this thing, that'll probably be one of my first mods.

[Luna X]

What I should have said, is that a true factory sunroof is stamped as an option into the sheet metal from the factory...

So, yes, while anything IS possible, doesn't mean it's any easier/better.... to "splice" in a factory sunroof, you would have to cut out the original, cut a huge hole in your vehicle, then weld in the sunroof, then do lot's of bodywork, etc... That's why I mentioned replacing the roof panel. At least then all your welds and bodywork could be kept along the front windshield and down the drip channels.
(25 years in the autobody industry... I've seen a lot)

[circmand]

What I should have said, is that a true factory sunroof is stamped as an option into the sheet metal from the factory...

So, yes, while anything IS possible, doesn't mean it's any easier/better.... to "splice" in a factory sunroof, you would have to cut out the original, cut a huge hole in your vehicle, then weld in the sunroof, then do lot's of bodywork, etc... That's why I mentioned replacing the roof panel. At least then all your welds and bodywork could be kept along the front windshield and down the drip channels.
(25 years in the autobody industry... I've seen a lot)

Was a sunroof even an option on the VX? And if not is it stamped?

[Gussie2000]

An sunroof installed on VX it shouldn"t be a problem if you get that job done with a reputable/trusthworthy/affordable sunroof installer.

For example,i went over few months ago to an shop which the very owner stills does get his hands on the job even though he got two other workers.

After few minutes measuring the lenght-width of the avalaible area he went to his office and pull few models with the right size.

He suggested me an spoiler style instead of the one rolling under the roof which takes more headroom and because of the very sporty looking style of the VX.


Quote me with labor include : $ 600.00
Will be done in early spring season next year

[Luna X]

Was a sunroof even an option on the VX? And if not is it stamped?

I don't think there was a sunroof option for the VX... I was thinking along the lines of the possibility of the Rodeo/Amigo roof-line being close. But, with that said, my original statement of suggesting aftermarket holds up...