Installing a Factory Moonroof

[gdogkzo]

At a local junkyard I have found an XLT that I have been using to upgrade mine (leather, better cup holders, etc...) It also has a sunroof. If I removed it and brought it to a body shop, do you think they could install it? This is one feature I would really like in my car as a I rarely use the AC. Let me know if anyone has ever done this or seen it done.

Geoff

 

[spta97]

I have seen people install an after-market flip up sunroof but never a factory one that slides into the roof. It seemed like a pretty easy process for the flip up (jig-saw the roof opening and install) but for a factory one there are switches, electronics, etc. that you have to deal with. I would ask around or call a sunroof installation place (if they still exist).

I would not reccomend watching them cut a hole in the roof - it is very upsetting to see

Hey, out of curiousity, what are you paying for all the stuff from the junk yard? I wonder if I should check out the one a few towns away from me.

 

[gdogkzo]

spta97, thanks for the info, I will have to see where I can get it installed. Do you think I would just call a body shop? Also, so far I have bought 2 door handles for $2 each, the center mounted brake light relay for $5, A different cup holder assembly for $2, and a complete and in good condition leather interior for $100.

 

[spta97]

Cool. I would figure a good body shop could handle it but I would also check a sun roof installation place who specialize in sunroofs. Just pick up the yellow pages and make a bunch of calls. Pretty soon you'll see who can do it and how much is a reasonable price.

 

[Charlie's_93EB]

I would not reccomend watching them cut a hole in the roof - it is very upsetting to see

haha, that is so true. I had my motorcycle seat reapolstered*sp he is a good guy and has a great shop but it still it was like giving blood and "watching the needle go in your skin" to see him drill out the rivits

 

[Skibug]

I would recomend one of the aftermaket accessory shops that install sun/moonroofs to do it over a body shop. We have a couple of those places where I live and they install aftermaket sun/moonroofs all the time and I would think that they would have more experience at installing a sunroof compared to a body shop.

 

[spta97]

haha, that is so true. I had my motorcycle seat reapolstered*sp he is a good guy and has a great shop but it still it was like giving blood and "watching the needle go in your skin" to see him drill out the rivits

I had a similar experience when I used to have my stereo work done by a shop (I do it myself now). The guy was putting the ground wire in the trunk and had to scrape the paint off the floor. He said "You might not want to look at this". I was all "AAARRRGGG" ha ha

It's one thing if you do it, but to see someone else violate your car / truck is terrible!

 

[thor420]

ive had a lot of problems with aftermarket sunroof instalations, ive had it done on an old camry of mine. they never seem to keep water out. the body shop man i went to said that this is a common thing. ur only sure fire way of not having any leakes in the roof is to have it done at the factory, otherwise, sell ur vehicle and buy a new one with a sunroof. but like he sees that many sunroof jobs up here in montana.

 

[TSTONE]

i probably wouldn't recommend it (installing a factory roof system in a vehicle that didn't have one), go with a good a/m ie:webasto...etc. most offer a limited lifetime warranty against leaking. i installed aftermarket moon/sunroofs for awhile - as well as have been in ford/merc sales for the last ten years, a couple of thoughts are these.

1) if you retract the sunroof in the donor vehicle you should notice that the roof opening was cut/folded/and tac sealed all the around when the hole was punched at the factory - a/m installer won't be able to duplicate and leaking is sure to be a major issue - when installing and a/m roof they have sealer gaskets that are used for this reason - i doubt they'll have one that will marry properly to a factory sunroof.

2) if you are trying to save money - you are on the right track though, just use a different donor vehicle that has an a/m roof (most of which retract inside the vehicle) in it so it's meant to install to post production cut roof - p.s. you'll probably need the headliner as well as in most a/m installs they usually replace your factory with an a/m headliner to allow for clearance.