Aftermarket Sunroof
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 28
Aftermarket Sunroof
I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with aftermarket sunroofs. My 98 Maxima does not have one and have decided to look into getting one. I will be getting it professionally installed. Some questions:
- How long does it take?
- What differences are there between sunroofs?
- How much will it probably cost?
It should be entertaining watching some strangers rip a hole into my car.
- How long does it take?
- What differences are there between sunroofs?
- How much will it probably cost?
It should be entertaining watching some strangers rip a hole into my car.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 415
well i guess im the guy that should answer this because i install them.
time: most places like to have the car in one day in the a.m and out the next, so..24 hours, the actual install varies with the car, a maxima probably 4-6 hours or so, (ive never done a 4th gen, 5th gens i can knock out in around 4 hours).
brands: i work at a upper class shop so we use a lot of the best products on the market, mostly webasto. these are excellent sunroofs we very very rarely have a problem with them (keep in mind that most problems with aftermarket roofs can be traced back to a poor intallation, ie. not sealing the sunroof housing correctly or at all, not being careful when running the drain tubes...having them become pinched or run uphill, incorrect power hook ups etc.) i would recommend the webasto 700 series:features include one-touch open and close/separate one touch close button/2 pre set position buttons/autoclose which closes the sunroof automatically when the ignition is turned off which can be overriden, the switch itself is attractive unlike some other brands on the market that look tacky, a competely enclosed sunroof housing, a nice rubber ring (on the roof that finishes the hole) that looks more factory than other brands that use a big fat plastic ring, optional rain sensor closes roof automatically when it is left open when the car is off if it detects rain, and a lifetime warranty on parts (i believe). i would also advise that you stay away from asc brand roofs, everyone that ive seen wears out within a couple of years and become noisy and "loose". im sure asc has redesigned but their older models had problems with their modules failing prematurely resulting in an inoperative roof. another option is a slider style of sunroof which is like what they put in cars like eclipses and other small coupes which the glass just slides up and out.
price: our shop would charge around 1100-1200 for the webasto 700 series,1000-1100 for asc or comprable brand or webasto sol-aire series(anothe good product) 900ish for a slider (webasto which has availbale option such as one touch and auto close)
hope this helps any other questions feel free to pm me
http://www.webasto.us/home/en/homepage.html
my company: topsandtrends.com which is pathetic really, they never finished it.
time: most places like to have the car in one day in the a.m and out the next, so..24 hours, the actual install varies with the car, a maxima probably 4-6 hours or so, (ive never done a 4th gen, 5th gens i can knock out in around 4 hours).
brands: i work at a upper class shop so we use a lot of the best products on the market, mostly webasto. these are excellent sunroofs we very very rarely have a problem with them (keep in mind that most problems with aftermarket roofs can be traced back to a poor intallation, ie. not sealing the sunroof housing correctly or at all, not being careful when running the drain tubes...having them become pinched or run uphill, incorrect power hook ups etc.) i would recommend the webasto 700 series:features include one-touch open and close/separate one touch close button/2 pre set position buttons/autoclose which closes the sunroof automatically when the ignition is turned off which can be overriden, the switch itself is attractive unlike some other brands on the market that look tacky, a competely enclosed sunroof housing, a nice rubber ring (on the roof that finishes the hole) that looks more factory than other brands that use a big fat plastic ring, optional rain sensor closes roof automatically when it is left open when the car is off if it detects rain, and a lifetime warranty on parts (i believe). i would also advise that you stay away from asc brand roofs, everyone that ive seen wears out within a couple of years and become noisy and "loose". im sure asc has redesigned but their older models had problems with their modules failing prematurely resulting in an inoperative roof. another option is a slider style of sunroof which is like what they put in cars like eclipses and other small coupes which the glass just slides up and out.
price: our shop would charge around 1100-1200 for the webasto 700 series,1000-1100 for asc or comprable brand or webasto sol-aire series(anothe good product) 900ish for a slider (webasto which has availbale option such as one touch and auto close)
hope this helps any other questions feel free to pm me
http://www.webasto.us/home/en/homepage.html
my company: topsandtrends.com which is pathetic really, they never finished it.
hey 99se5spd,
Maybe you can help me out too. I have an asc sunroof that I think was installed by the dealer or an independent shop contracted by the dealer (evidently nissan uses this brand for it's non OEM sunroof installs). It hasn't worked right since I bought it. Is it possible to get rebuild kits for these things? There's a writeup on vqpower for rebuilding the OEM roof, but I don't think that the OEM kit would work with a non OEM roof (though I haven't talked to the dealership about it). I've looked at asc's website, but it's very unhelpful...I think the company is geared towards shops rather than consumers. If a rebuild kit isn't obtainable would it be likely that webasto would make a sunroof would fit the existing hole in the roof? How much would a roof run likely run me? Would I even be able to get one to put in myself? Any chance you could hook me up on a good price
?
Thanks for your help. This has really been bothering me and nobody here seems able to answer my questions (I think most are lucky enough to have OEM roofs).
Maybe you can help me out too. I have an asc sunroof that I think was installed by the dealer or an independent shop contracted by the dealer (evidently nissan uses this brand for it's non OEM sunroof installs). It hasn't worked right since I bought it. Is it possible to get rebuild kits for these things? There's a writeup on vqpower for rebuilding the OEM roof, but I don't think that the OEM kit would work with a non OEM roof (though I haven't talked to the dealership about it). I've looked at asc's website, but it's very unhelpful...I think the company is geared towards shops rather than consumers. If a rebuild kit isn't obtainable would it be likely that webasto would make a sunroof would fit the existing hole in the roof? How much would a roof run likely run me? Would I even be able to get one to put in myself? Any chance you could hook me up on a good price
?Thanks for your help. This has really been bothering me and nobody here seems able to answer my questions (I think most are lucky enough to have OEM roofs).
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 886
I personally dont need a sunroof(already have one) and I'm not on the market to purchase one, but out of curiosity, I noticed that the Panorama roof that Webastos has looks real interesting. I looked at some of the examples(pictures) and it seems that style roof only seems to fit wagons and trucks. Now hypothetically thinking, if I wanted to get that panorama roof on my 4th gen, would it fit??
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 415
terran-
yeah, most dealers contract out,and actually most people think they are getting factrory roofs, like an armada i did last friday the women threw a fit b/c she had no idea her car was being sent off, she was pissed (see pic, that car took me 15 hours also, what a *****..notice the front console and see if you can find pic of a factory front console and see how i had to modify it) anyway, its the shops decision what brand they use and who they are autorized by. it is possible to rebuild it although a lot of installation facilites make it rather difficult to access behind the headliner, can you explain what it is doing/not doing. if you have an asc 840 (you will have a 4 button switch with one button that says asc on it and when you press it it will switch from red to green color) try reprogramming the roof, push and hold open until it goes all the way back and hold it for a few seconds, than press and hold vent until it vents all the way and hold for a few seconds and see if that works. another common problem with those it the limit switch which detects the position of the glass. open the glass and look in the drivers side track and you will see a black rectangle about 1 1/4" long by 3/4" wide (approx.) and make sure that has not fallen down, it should be flush with the track bottom you can try pushing up on the substrate (which is a cardboard piece that sits over the length of the housing to finish it, and the headliner is wrapped around it around the opening) or sticking your fingers behind the substrate and push the limit switch up. the vqpower write up would be inaccurate and rebuilding them is a pita. unfortunatelly webasto roofs will not fit an asc hole so that is not an option, and putting a roof in is not an easy job, ive had my share of roofs having to be taken to dent wizard or repainted, theres a lot of liability with them and a whole lotta stuff to know, i had almost a year of training before i was comfortablel installing by myself. your best bet is to finda shop and have them rebuild it. as far as a hood up, youd have to make it to me and the discount would be minimal on a rebuild. and its been so long since ive rebuilt an asc i couldnt walk you through it cause i just dont remember..sorry.
magneto: yea that panoramic is awesome i love those things and ive already measured to see if it would fit in a max...no go, that would be awesome though.
yeah, most dealers contract out,and actually most people think they are getting factrory roofs, like an armada i did last friday the women threw a fit b/c she had no idea her car was being sent off, she was pissed (see pic, that car took me 15 hours also, what a *****..notice the front console and see if you can find pic of a factory front console and see how i had to modify it) anyway, its the shops decision what brand they use and who they are autorized by. it is possible to rebuild it although a lot of installation facilites make it rather difficult to access behind the headliner, can you explain what it is doing/not doing. if you have an asc 840 (you will have a 4 button switch with one button that says asc on it and when you press it it will switch from red to green color) try reprogramming the roof, push and hold open until it goes all the way back and hold it for a few seconds, than press and hold vent until it vents all the way and hold for a few seconds and see if that works. another common problem with those it the limit switch which detects the position of the glass. open the glass and look in the drivers side track and you will see a black rectangle about 1 1/4" long by 3/4" wide (approx.) and make sure that has not fallen down, it should be flush with the track bottom you can try pushing up on the substrate (which is a cardboard piece that sits over the length of the housing to finish it, and the headliner is wrapped around it around the opening) or sticking your fingers behind the substrate and push the limit switch up. the vqpower write up would be inaccurate and rebuilding them is a pita. unfortunatelly webasto roofs will not fit an asc hole so that is not an option, and putting a roof in is not an easy job, ive had my share of roofs having to be taken to dent wizard or repainted, theres a lot of liability with them and a whole lotta stuff to know, i had almost a year of training before i was comfortablel installing by myself. your best bet is to finda shop and have them rebuild it. as far as a hood up, youd have to make it to me and the discount would be minimal on a rebuild. and its been so long since ive rebuilt an asc i couldnt walk you through it cause i just dont remember..sorry.
magneto: yea that panoramic is awesome i love those things and ive already measured to see if it would fit in a max...no go, that would be awesome though.
I have a Webasto sunroof in my max. The previous/first owner had it installed one month after it was bought. When I bought this max I thought it was factory since the other 3 maximas I test drove all had sunroofs. I figured it was standard with SE's. There were only 2 things that gave away that it wasn't factory which was automatic close when you turn the car off and the Webasto manual/receipt in the glove compartment. I guess I would have to recomend it since its been in this car for 8 yrs and 135k mi and it still works. They even put in a nissan wind deflector in.
i peronsally would never put in an aftermarket sliding roof...but its like 99se5spd said most installers suck and dont use quality shi..t......i every car i have been in with aftermarket room sucks...they leak...lots of wind noise and always break.....but again it probably does have alot to do with installers and the brand..most were ASC..especially here in buffalo a good installer with quality parts is hard to find
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 99
Originally Posted by GujuGuy67
I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with aftermarket sunroofs. My 98 Maxima does not have one and have decided to look into getting one. I will be getting it professionally installed. Some questions:
- How long does it take?
- What differences are there between sunroofs?
- How much will it probably cost?
It should be entertaining watching some strangers rip a hole into my car.
- How long does it take?
- What differences are there between sunroofs?
- How much will it probably cost?
It should be entertaining watching some strangers rip a hole into my car.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 8
ASC 840 glass, two have flown off the car!
well i guess im the guy that should answer this because i install them.
time: most places like to have the car in one day in the a.m and out the next, so..24 hours, the actual install varies with the car, a maxima probably 4-6 hours or so, (ive never done a 4th gen, 5th gens i can knock out in around 4 hours).
brands: i work at a upper class shop so we use a lot of the best products on the market, mostly webasto. these are excellent sunroofs we very very rarely have a problem with them (keep in mind that most problems with aftermarket roofs can be traced back to a poor intallation, ie. not sealing the sunroof housing correctly or at all, not being careful when running the drain tubes...having them become pinched or run uphill, incorrect power hook ups etc.) i would recommend the webasto 700 series:features include one-touch open and close/separate one touch close button/2 pre set position buttons/autoclose which closes the sunroof automatically when the ignition is turned off which can be overriden, the switch itself is attractive unlike some other brands on the market that look tacky, a competely enclosed sunroof housing, a nice rubber ring (on the roof that finishes the hole) that looks more factory than other brands that use a big fat plastic ring, optional rain sensor closes roof automatically when it is left open when the car is off if it detects rain, and a lifetime warranty on parts (i believe). i would also advise that you stay away from asc brand roofs, everyone that ive seen wears out within a couple of years and become noisy and "loose". im sure asc has redesigned but their older models had problems with their modules failing prematurely resulting in an inoperative roof. another option is a slider style of sunroof which is like what they put in cars like eclipses and other small coupes which the glass just slides up and out.
price: our shop would charge around 1100-1200 for the webasto 700 series,1000-1100 for asc or comprable brand or webasto sol-aire series(anothe good product) 900ish for a slider (webasto which has availbale option such as one touch and auto close)
hope this helps any other questions feel free to pm me
http://www.webasto.us/home/en/homepage.html
my company: topsandtrends.com which is pathetic really, they never finished it.
time: most places like to have the car in one day in the a.m and out the next, so..24 hours, the actual install varies with the car, a maxima probably 4-6 hours or so, (ive never done a 4th gen, 5th gens i can knock out in around 4 hours).
brands: i work at a upper class shop so we use a lot of the best products on the market, mostly webasto. these are excellent sunroofs we very very rarely have a problem with them (keep in mind that most problems with aftermarket roofs can be traced back to a poor intallation, ie. not sealing the sunroof housing correctly or at all, not being careful when running the drain tubes...having them become pinched or run uphill, incorrect power hook ups etc.) i would recommend the webasto 700 series:features include one-touch open and close/separate one touch close button/2 pre set position buttons/autoclose which closes the sunroof automatically when the ignition is turned off which can be overriden, the switch itself is attractive unlike some other brands on the market that look tacky, a competely enclosed sunroof housing, a nice rubber ring (on the roof that finishes the hole) that looks more factory than other brands that use a big fat plastic ring, optional rain sensor closes roof automatically when it is left open when the car is off if it detects rain, and a lifetime warranty on parts (i believe). i would also advise that you stay away from asc brand roofs, everyone that ive seen wears out within a couple of years and become noisy and "loose". im sure asc has redesigned but their older models had problems with their modules failing prematurely resulting in an inoperative roof. another option is a slider style of sunroof which is like what they put in cars like eclipses and other small coupes which the glass just slides up and out.
price: our shop would charge around 1100-1200 for the webasto 700 series,1000-1100 for asc or comprable brand or webasto sol-aire series(anothe good product) 900ish for a slider (webasto which has availbale option such as one touch and auto close)
hope this helps any other questions feel free to pm me
http://www.webasto.us/home/en/homepage.html
my company: topsandtrends.com which is pathetic really, they never finished it.
Thanks so much!
Jeff
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 35
From: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
It possible to install an OEM sunroof from salvaged parts and have it professionally installed in a vehicle that doesn't have one? I went to salvage yard and found a 99 Maxima just like mine. The front was severely damaged but the cabin and the roof are okay.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 35
From: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Not Economically feasible huh? So I guess it just cheaper to put in the Webasto 700 sunroof?
http://www.webasto.com/int/markets-p...iding-sunroof/
http://www.webasto.com/int/markets-p...iding-sunroof/
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,037
From: Central AR
Not Economically feasible huh? So I guess it just cheaper to put in the Webasto 700 sunroof?
http://www.webasto.com/int/markets-p...iding-sunroof/
http://www.webasto.com/int/markets-p...iding-sunroof/
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 35
From: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Yeah there is a location a few hours drive away. I would still prefer to use actual OEM parts. Plus all the parts I need are sitting in car about 15 miles from me. The local Nissan dealer told of a place that installs sunroof here in town. I wonder in the end which is cheaper?
Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 106
im dealing with the aftermath of an aftermarket sunroof, let me give some advice. put a factory one in, you can go to junk yard and pull off the roof from max and install it on yours, you take out windshield and back window and follow the spot welds around the car to drill them out and remove roof on both cars, put the one with sunroof on your car, reweld, reinstall windows, reseal and hook up electronics, im going to be making a guide for this soon, gotta get car running right first.
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