Sunroof (Webasto Hollandia 730) Installed!

[QUE_ES]

They did an amazing job installing your SR. I have been going back and forth for years on getting this done to my VX, but I think I'm finally sold. Thank you for taking the initiative in posting all the pics, docs, and video.

regards,

G.

[SilverBullet75]

Hi all! Update:

I just finished modifying the roof basket mount to allow it to work with the sunroof. All good!

Before... The corner of the bracket just barely pushed in on the felt around the glass:


After... I removed the corners of the mounts by cutting them with a die grinder. There is now a 1-2mm clearance between the brackets and the glass.



Also, I didn't like seeing about six inches of basket obstructing the open-air view from the inside, so I loosened the mounts and pushed the basket back a bit, and tightened it back up. Now I only see about 1-2 inches.:



Here's the VX with the rack remounted back a few inches:


I found out how to stop the auto-close feature too. When you turn off the car, push any of the buttons and it stops the auto-close feature.

I took the VX on it's first night drive the other night. Oh man... It felt like a completely different vehicle. I LOVE THIS MOD!!!!

[Knigh7s]

Again, that looks amazing! I'm considering this mod (if taxes are decent! )

I'm wondering if there is a slightly smaller version.

Also, can the controls be mounted anywhere? if I chose not to have it installed up top? I'm wondering if it is as simple as extending the wires...

[SilverBullet75]

Hi Adam,
Yes, I'm sure the switch can be mounted elsewhere.
Just tell the installer where you want it.


OH! By the way! So, I was worried about the $1200 total cost at first...
Well, we just refinanced our house last month, and in the mail yesterday came a check out of the blue for $1800!!! (Escrow refund...)

Woo Hoo! The sunroof is now paid off!
LOL

[twalker920]

This is awesome. They did a fantastic job on that install. A sunroof is the one thing I miss having on my VX - every other vehicle I have owned had one. My only dilemma....do I drop the money for this mod on a vehicle with 145,000 miles? I already located an installer here in Denver, and I have the money. And $1200 is almost 20% of my purchase price! LOL

But Spring is just around the corner....

Dang. What to do.

[SilverBullet75]

So I found that the smoked plastic fairing on the roof basket is way noisy on the highway with the sunroof open. So I removed the fairing this morning. It cut the noise in half... but... it's still a little noisy.

I'm going to remove the roof rack and basket tomorrow morning to see just how different the noise level is.

I'll test it with just the rack too.

If the rack and/or basket generates too much wind noise, I may end up selling the Rage basket (that I just bought...) and the stock rack.

The noise kinda negates the worth of the sunroof. If I can't have it open on the highway, it's not worth having the basket/rack.

[Noctis]

So I found that the smoked plastic fairing on the roof basket is way noisy on the highway with the sunroof open. So I removed the fairing this morning. It cut the noise in half... but... it's still a little noisy.

I'm going to remove the roof rack and basket tomorrow morning to see just how different the noise level is.

I'll test it with just the rack too.

If the rack and/or basket generates too much wind noise, I may end up selling the Rage basket (that I just bought...) and the stock rack.

The noise kinda negates the worth of the sunroof. If I can't have it open on the highway, it's not worth having the basket/rack.

I'm interested in the outcome of your test, as that basket is something I was considering! Love to hear your feedback.
~Noctis

[vt_maverick]

So I take it the basket was just for looks then? Why can't you just keep it in the garage for whenever you actually need it? Those things cut fuel economy and generate noise so unless you're actively using it I think it's a waste to leave it mounted.

Just my $.02, spoken from personal experience - I only have my Thule on whenever I need to carry the spare on the roof.

[Mile High VX]

Just my $.02, spoken from personal experience - I only have my Thule on whenever I need to carry the spare on the roof.

x2...if you need it you gotta have it, but leave it off when you don't.

[tomdietrying]

Impressive! I like that mod a lot!
Peace.
Tom

[spaceCADETzoom]

So sure enough, turns out I got a webasto 700. Oh well. Smaller than what most others got, but had I not really looked into it, I wouldn't have known the difference. Figured if I was happy in ignorance, I should still be happy...

[Vendetta]

Awesome mod. First time I ever saw one in person was on AC's gorgeous Kaiser - he lives a few towns over. Took me all of a minute to decide I needed to do it.

That'll be this summer's treat.

-V