is it possible to put the factory sunroof into a car that did not come with one from the factory? Are the cars structurally different in the roof? anyone ever take a gander to know?

 

I don't think so. In my 3gen, you can see some additional sheet metal there when you open the roof. I suppose if you got some serious talent with a welder. OR if you happen to have that part w/o the sunroof(but I really doubt it)

 

thanks all knowing Jeff!

 

i asked a body shop once and they said, they can graft the roof on made with the support and mounting brackets for the sunroof. Or locate a donor car from a junk yard and swap the roof part....they said it's like replacing your quarter panels... cut of the part and weld in the new part....basically a R&R if you have the correct parts..

 

too bad you're in Hawaii...there's a guy who says he can do it here...but I'm skeptical...u know? we'll see...reason I ask is that some is interested in buying it but I was already thinking about this and wanted to see how feasible it was.

Thanx

 

After watching Discovery and TLC, anything is possible. Even if you had the resources to do so, I don't think the results are worth the effort. Just buy a 95 SE with moonroof for 3 grand, and you can have an entire car for probably less that what it'd cost to cut off your roof and install another one.

 

I had a sunroof put into my 3000GT back in 97, never had any problem with it. i think it cost around $1k

 

My moms 2001 gxe didn't have a sunroof from the factory but the dealer put one in for her so i think its very possible.

 

I would be leery about the structural integrity of a roof that has had a hole cut in it without factory reinforcement. Now I could be way off base, but here is my reasoning. A post on this board said that a sunroof equipped Maxima is 65 lbs heavier than the identical car without one. I've removed my sunroof glass, and seen the motor, etc... I can not see how that would add up to near 65 lbs. This makes me believe that there is significant strengthening of the roof. Plus, I think if there wasn't, and the car rolled, there would be a huge liability for the manufacturer when the roof caves in compared to a non-sunroof equipped model. It's not like the safety glass will be supportive, because it won't be intact.
If it was me, and I didn't have a sunroof but wanted one, I'd get a car from the factory with one. I just don't think it would be worth the expense/hassle to have one installed (not to mention possible air/water leaks).
Those are my thoughts, and they could be wrong...

Dave

 

A lot of work dude...

 

I have decided that I'm not even going to put any sunroof in the car...just deal without it...my first car without a sunroof...I've been so spoiled!..

 

Now you won't have to worry about fixing it when it goes bad.