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Sunroofs

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:57 pm
by CDGsafari98
Any body put a sun roof in their van. I want to put one in and I am looking for some pointers. I was thinking a ragtop extended power roof that goes back to the second row.

What will that do for the structural integrity of the body?

:-k

Re: Sunroofs

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:44 pm
by Someone
I personally have only ever seen one astro with a power moonroof... the guy said it was factory, but I think it was propably installed by or at the dealer.

on the other hand the ragtops are pretty popular, havnt seen them much lately but I remember seeing them all the time in the magazines in the 90's... they usually go all the way from the front to the rear of the van, as for structure, you would build some extra rigidity into the track structure.... I am sure it would be awsome to have in a warm climate, but the cost is propably pretty huge!

Re: Sunroofs

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:09 pm
by dunedog
I am going to put one or more in mine.
The problem with these vans is the ribbing in the roof. These make it much harder to get a water proof seal.Donmar is a nice product and has his and her [17x17] pop-ups which I would like to use. Especialy in the real vent hole.
What's nice is there is very little profile.
Up front I would sac the interior roof cd/door opener...blah and put in a large 18x32 size sunroof. Spring is coming and this is on my 'To Do 'list.

Re: Sunroofs

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:22 am
by potskie
I've always toyed with the thought of 2 smaller ones up front over each seat. Then one big long sucker over the second row.

Re: Sunroofs

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:15 am
by GEJ
Don't mean to rain on the parade,but every sunroof I have owned leaked over time.I have talked to installers and got them to omit that is about the truth about all of them. #-o Last one was on my 1991 fully loaded S10 long box.But that might be just my luck too. :yawinkle: :yawinkle:

Re: Sunroofs

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:17 am
by crash
here are the ragtops.. any shape, size or color... they aren't cheap so make sure your sitting down when you look at the pricing (that's not installed) .. oh, and make sure that you find a sunroof place that says they WILL install it before you buy one. many shops won't install anything they don't sell and also won't provide any warranty for leaks or rust.

http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/ragtopsunroofs.html

there was also a member on my dakota side that got a power sliding glass moonroof installed a couple of years ago. it looks pretty well like a stock moonroof (not like the cheesey popup ones). they aren't cheap either. he paid nearly $900 installed (cdn funds).

Re: Sunroofs

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:03 am
by 91AWDAstro
Yep they leak, unless it's a good factory one which have a drip tray with drain hose's. That would be the only way I would do it, cut one off a factory vehicle. I had one in my 82 Mecury Capri which never leaked. It wasn't power,but you could take the glass out. My buddies loved it we'd cruise around with thier heads out the roof. Man memoires, bought my first CD-player... $$$$ back in 89. I also have one in the Trofeo, it's a factory power one. I've had one of the rear drain hoses get clogged by some spiders once, but that was it. The seal is starting to go and you can hear the wind at high speed, but it doesn't leak water.

Re: Sunroofs

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:23 am
by CDGsafari98
Ok so a lot of work to make this happen but the cool factor will be worth it. Any body know of a junker Sto near central jersey. I need to do some testing.