Sun/moon roofs

[slim724]

Was there ever a sun/moon roof option on the 96+ vans?? I was just wondering, and would be very jealous of anyone who has one

[Logan]

Nope, not an option that I'm aware of. Although, I've seen a few installed on these vans. The main issue is the ribbed roof and either smashing those ribs or using enough butyl tape/sealant to keep it from leaking. It can be done, but it usually looks kinda messy. I have heard of one body guy reskinning the roof to install a vinyl Volkswagen sliding roof. But that's a lot of work.

[blk lt awd]

sun roofs were never an option on these vans. all custom jobs if you've seen one. lots of sliding rag tops done as well. was a popular mod in the 90's.

[slim724]

Anyone have a rough estimate on what it would cost? The requirement would be that it doesn't leak, Dont care much on how it looks on the outside seeing as I look at the rooftop like never

[blk lt awd]

should be in the neighborhood of $1500....give or take. that's usually for vehicles with a flat roof. and that's the slider. i'm sure it can be done somehow with the humps in the roof. just go to your local auto customizing shop or upholstery shop and they'll be able to tell you exact cost. good luck.

[GnarliSafari]

if push came to shove a true body man could make it properly work. but it would probably require paint and be much more than $1500 if it is a newer van that you plan on keeping for a while might be worth getting it done right. if i were doing it i would get a doner van cut out the flat spot thats on the rear of the roof, right by the third brake light on newer vans, nicely fiqure out where to place it so that it can be welded in and blend properly and then make my cutout in that piece. little bit labor involved and definitely requires more skill than the average sunfroof installer has but for a body man it would be an easy project and they will make damn sure it doesnt leak.

[slim724]

Well I have a buddy who owns 2 body shops but it looks like a serious undertaking that'll cost some bucks. It's definitely on my wish list and not completely out of the realm of possibilites. It would definitely be nice to have a slider during the hot California summers here and would probably smooth out the choppy airflow that only popping out the side windows helps when the front windows are down. I drive with the windows down 99% of the time and find it a bit of a pain to have to manually pop the side windows. Maybe I could rig up some sort of electric poppers for them?? I think newer vehicles have them

[GnarliSafari]

thats the one thing that always bugged me, even caravans had electric side windows, not to mention the fact mine dont even really stay open anyways because the latches seem to be mounted wrong and dont lock open.

[batmo]

the ribs are not a big deal. Ive installed many sun/moon roofs in all kinds of vehicles.

you want to get a special vice grip used for sheetmetal work that have a 4 inch wide "duck bill" to compress the roof ridges down. only as far back as the sunroof frame is thick. it works well just have the roof masked good so it doesnt scratch it.

mines an Explorer conversion and they had the Omish woodworkers to build the interiors I didnt want to remove the really nice overhead console to install sunroof in it. otherwise I would have.

I did install an RV roof vent in the rear. I posted some details and photos on here. search "roof vent"

also: some of the higher quality sunroof frames are strong enough to colapse the roof ridges as the inner and outer sections are bolted together. but better to use the vise grips to be sure.

[6spd_monte]

I have a complete sunroof assembly from a 1998 BMW 740 sitting around. That would be a cool custom install. I think I have everything to make it work except the actual switch, but I can get you that too if you need. It would be a big project I think, but this sounds like it's going to be a big project anyway. PM me if you're interested in it.

[SoCalli V8]

This is from a late model Nissan Maxima. The idea of a long single perspex roof could be incorporated between the Astro`s "roof ribs" but it`s gonna take some metal fabrication to get it to seal from the elements.