I know this one has been discussed numerous times on here..and I have reviewed a few of these posts, now I'm just looking for some more clarification.

My parts car is the same color as mine and has a sunroof...which I would like on my car. I've read that there are a lot of screws and adhesives involved and I don't want to tackle this and completely ruin a good roof panel.

first question...where exactly is there adhesive?

second question...probably a stupid one...do i have to remove the sunroof itself to take off the panel once the headliner is out?

third question...probably as real stupid one...do I have to remove the windshield or can I leave it in if I have a few people to stabalize the roof panel while I remove it.

Fourth question...what types of tools, adhesives are needed and what's the approximate cost for teh do it yourselfer once all's said and done?

Any insight and pictures would be greatly appreciated

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Caleb Sarty (Ferarro Bill)

build it faster...build it stronger...built it louder...build it sexier...but keep it fiero

First remove the glass panel & put it in a safe place. Unfasten it at the latch in the back by depressing the buttons. lift the panel & pull it to the rear of the car to remove it.

You will need to remove the headliner and all associated moldings & hardware that hold it in place. The inside windshield moldings are held in place with white nylon clips that will most likely break (if your lucky). If you aren't lucky the molding itself can break where the clips atach.

You need to remove the floor sill moldings, upper seat belt bolts (torx) and the inside rear pillar moldings.

There are several bolts & recessed nuts that attach the underside of the front roof panel to the chassis structure. You will see them once the headliner is removed.

There are also bolts under the plastic cowl screen (under the front hood) and I think under the corners of the front fenders that hold the front of the roof panel at the bottom of the windshield. Remove them

Very carefully try to pry the back of the roof panel up. It is held in place with double sided tape & takes a slow & steady pressure to separate it. Do not over flex the panel because it will break very easily. This is why you are working on your parts car first right?

That's about as far as I can help you as I have never removed a panel from around the windshield. I don't know if the little plastic trim strip needs to be removed. (don't think so) You certainly don't need to remove your windshield.

The installation is the reverse of disassembly.

Good luck & take your time!

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Probably a dumb question, but why can't you just cut out the solid roof panel using the subframe as a guide?

thanks for the walkthrough Gordo...it was exactly what I was looking for. To answer your question I will be doing the parts car first, that way if I something breaks (as things usually do) it's no big deal. thank god I don't have to remove the windshield...that was the only thing that would have kept me from taking on this project. I'll try to post pics of the process for others if all goes as planned

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Caleb Sarty (Ferarro Bill)

build it faster...build it stronger...built it louder...build it sexier...but keep it fiero

to continue where Gordo left off:

you should now have the roof section loose.

Remove the black moulding around the windshield

Remove wiper arms

Make sure you have all the screws holding the body panel at the base of the windshield off.

Remouving the roof section with the windshield section is the tricky part.

The black caulking/glue stuff is under the body pannel on either side of the windshield. this stuff is horrible to get off.

I used a very find steel cable (like the inner brake cable on a bicycle) to cut the glue, I slid it under the pannel and slowly "sawed" my way down around the side of the windshield.

If you manage to cut most of the glue you should be in good shape!, If you dont get most of the glue out, you will most likely break the body pannel surrounding the windshield.

If you manage to get it off in one piece, let the rest of us know how

quote Originally posted by Fester: Probably a dumb question, but why can't you just cut out the solid roof panel using the subframe as a guide?

Not a dumb question. The Roof panel for the sunroof cars has a molded in depression for the weather strip. It also has metal inserts to retain the tabs at the front edge of the glass.

Big thanks to fiero_silva for completing the instructions. By the way, if you have never removed the wiper arms, it is easy. Pull them back away from the windshield. You will see holes on each side of the arm back at the hinge. With the wiper up, slide a nail through the holes and then wiggle the wiper arm back & forth. they will come right off.

[This message has been edited by Gordo (edited 11-10-2003).]

I'll be sure to give an update when it's done. I'm picking up the parts car tomorrow morning and hopefully will be tackling it this weekend. Have to fix the fuel problem with my car first though. Then after the sunroof conversion I plan to cut the springs. Oh god it's gonna be a good weekend.

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Caleb Sarty (Ferarro Bill)

build it faster...build it stronger...built it louder...build it sexier...but keep it fiero

quote Originally posted by fiero_silva: Remove the black moulding around the windshield ... If you manage to get it off in one piece, let the rest of us know how

Any tips on how to remove the moulding around the windshield. I'm trying to get mine off my parts car and it's near impossible.

On my 85 2M4, I just found where the ends meet and pulled. came off very easy.....

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Gordo:

Not a dumb question. The Roof panel for the sunroof cars has a molded in depression for the weather strip. It also has metal inserts to retain the tabs at the front edge of the glass.

Ahhhh. I see the logic in that one. Makes me glad my donor has a sunroof so I can play around with this particular mod. Thanks Gordo!

got my parts car yesterday. The sunroof glass itself and the moldings are in great shape. The clearcoat on the roof panel is all coming off and the paint is faded so I plan to sand, prep and paint that once it's off. The headliner is complete although the fabric has some discoloration. If I get really ambitious I may try to refabric thast this weekend during the conversion also. If not it will be a future project. Stay posted for pictures once it's all done. Thanks for all the help everybody.

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Caleb Sarty (Ferarro Bill)

build it faster...build it stronger...built it louder...build it sexier...but keep it fiero