Here you can get Fitting a Sunroof. Installing a sunroof in your vehicle can increase its value and make the driving experience that far more pleasant. However, installing an aftermarket sunroof is an thorough and extensive job that needs specialized skills and tools, so it’s going to not be a viable option for many hobby mechanics.
Remember that cutting a hole in your roof may end in leaks which will cause damage to the inside of your vehicle. Installing an aftermarket sunroof also will void any warranty you’ll wear the vehicle.
A sunroof may be a panel on the roof of a car that either slides back or are often taken bent allow light, air or both to return into a vehicle.
According to a sunroof was traditionally an opaque panel that matched the colour of the car’s body. Drivers could tilt it open or remove it completely. But, an opaque, movable sunroof isn’t commonly sold on vehicles anymore, MotorTrend says.
Choose a type of sunroof to install
There are a number of different options in aftermarket sunroofs. you’ll got to choose a kind of sunroof so as to determine the size you would like and therefore the budget you’ve got to figure with. crop up sunroofs are often the least expensive, while fully automatic sunroofs usually cost the foremost.
Measure the flat part of the roof of your vehicle
The size of the sunroof you’ll purchase depends on the amount of completely flat space on the roof of your vehicle. Measure from left to right until the roof begins to curve down towards the windows, then measure from front to back within the same manner.
Purchase a sunroof kit that would fit on your vehicle
Armed with the maximum dimensions for a sunroof your vehicle could support, go online and find a sunroof kit that mixes the type of sunroof you would like with the size you need to suit on your vehicle. Choose a sunroof that’s a minimum of an in. smaller than the maximum dimensions to make sure you’ve got no issues with fitment.
Cover the top of your roof with masking tape
Masking tape will protect the paint on your roof from being damaged as you position the sunroof template over it and start the drilling and cutting process. The tape will keep the paint from cracking or tearing as you narrow through it. this may prevent you from having to repaint the top of the vehicle upon the completion of the project.
Place the sunroof template over the tape
The sunroof kit will come with a rubber template you’ll use to determine where exactly you would like to possess the sunroof positioned once installed. Center it on the roof on top of the masking tape. Measure the space from the front, back and every side to ensure it’s perfectly centered.
Use a razor blade to trace the template
With the rubber template in place, use a razor blade or exacto-knife to trace the template into the masking paper on your roof. Trace it slowly and carefully to make sure you create an exact outline of the template within the tape. you are doing not got to press the blade down hard enough to penetrate the paint through the tape.[6]
Drill four holes in the roof
Use a 4 millimeter drill bit to drill four holes into the top of the roof. Make each hole about five inches from the corner of the sunroof outline along the traced line you already cut with the razor blade. take care to not get the drill caught within the cloth headliner inside the vehicle.
Pierce holes in the headliner using the supplied probe
The sunroof kit will come with a supplied 4 millimeter probe to use to penetrate the cloth headliner beneath the roof. Press the probe down through the drilled holes then through the headliner. These holes will serve as your guide when cutting the headliner within the next step.
Cut a hole in the headliner
Use a sharp pair of scissors or a craft knife to cut the headliner inside the vehicle, using the four holes as a guide. take care to not tear the headliner while doing so. Once there’s a hole within the headliner, remove any sound proofing or insulation between where it had been and therefore the metal of the roof.
Enlarge one of the four holes in the roof with a drill
Using a larger drill bit than previously used, enlarge one of the four holes within the roof enough to fit a sheet metal nibbler tool in. you’ll also use a file to enlarge the opening . take care to enlarge it without drilling or filing past the surface of the traced template for the sunroof, otherwise that portion will leak after the sunroof is installed.
Cut along the traced line with a nibbler tool
Insert the sheet nibbler tool into the enlarged hole within the roof, then slowly and careful cut along the traced line within the roof. Keep the blades of the nibbler precisely within the groove you created with the razor blade, but it’s okay if you narrow into the middle portion of the outline.[11]
Remove the cut out metal and clean up the edges
Once you’ve got cut along the outline entirely, put on a pair of heavy duty gloves and take away the sheet that you simply cut out from the roof. Be very careful, as the metal could also be quite sharp. Inspect the hole you cut and make sure you removed all of the metal inside the traced area.
Remove the masking tape and file down any rough edges
With the cutting complete, you’ll now remove all of the masking tape you layered onto the roof of the car. Once done, inspect the opening you cut and use a metal file to file down any jagged edges sticking out as a results of the cutting. take care not to damage the remaining paint with the file.
Apply primer and clear coat to the newly exposed metal
The metal surrounding the opening you cut in the roof are going to be susceptible to rust with none form of protection. Purchase a small bottle of primer and apply it to any visible metal in and round the hole. Allow the primer to dry completely, then do the same with the clear coat.
Apply weather sealing to the frame and drop it in place
Remove the weather sealing trim from the sunroof kit and put it on the sunroof frame if it doesn’t close . The weather seal are going to be adhesive, so peel the duvet off of it then stick to around the perimeter of rock bottom of the frame. Then place the frame into the newly cut hole in your roof, weather seal down.
Slide the inner frame into place
From inside the car, slide the inner frame into place with the outer frame. Use the supplied screws to secure the two together. Screwing the inner and outer frames together will secure the front hinges and the rear latch on non-electronic sunroofs. If your sunroof is electronic, you’ll got to run the wiring from the inner frame above the headliner and into the A-pillar to succeed in the fuse box near the driver’s side seat.
Apply adhesive to the headliner where you cut it
To make sure the headliner doesn’t hang loose around the new sunroof, you’ll got to glue it back to place. Apply the adhesive strips provided within the sunroof kit to the underside of the roof above the headliner, then press the headliner up into the strips. take care to press the headliner into the strips evenly to avoid creating wrinkles within the headliner.
Slip the rubber finishing trim into place
Once the headliner is glued down, make sure you stop any remaining bits of cloth that hang around then slide the finishing trim into place over it. This finishing trim is usually applied with adhesive, but could also be held in situ with screws instead counting on the kit you buy.
Install the glass sunroof
Place the glass sunroof vertically on the hinges at the front of the hole. Slip the hinge tags on the sunroof into the hinges on the installed frame and make sure the lip of the glass is positioned outside the lip of the seal. Keep pressure on the hinges as you lower the glass into place, closing the sunroof.
Connect the manual or electronic latches
If your sunroof is electronic, the glass sunroof itself may are pre-installed within the outer frame once you put it in place. If it’s not electronic, open the manual bracket handle and slip the sunroof toggle into it. Pivot the handle back down to close and seal the sunroof.