S13 Moon Roof Delete?

[OperationSr20]

So I have been thinking for some time... I do not use my Moon Roof in my S13 and I am getting SICK of the broken, rattling Latch; I am on my second one, and it did the same thing from the second it was switched.

So I was thinking about deleteing it... If not deleting it, maybe customizing a secured Lexan/Plexiglass. This way I can replace the heavy glass, can still have light enter through, tint it like my current one & when it comes to the "secured" part... find a way to mount/secure it with something or make a custom latch/tie-down that will use the factory latch (i like customizing while maintaining a factory like look), but it would not swing up, and I'd make it very tight to prevent from any obnoxious rattling.

So what do you guys think? Which route do you like? I would also like to here ideas and suggestions on how to go about this. I know Koignation (*Spelling*) has a Carbonfiber one for S14, which is what got me thinking.

Thanks guys.

[sac]

kognition used to offer them for the s14. (I REALLY WANT ONE BAD!)

Are you talking about using a piece of lexan as your sunroof?

[OperationSr20]

Sac, possibly, yea.

[SexPanda]

What I've seen done, which is real cool, is plexiglass, or lexan, rivited in, sealed with gasket maker, and covered with the factory seal.

It looks factory, but you cant open it and it doesnt leak.

[abstrakt]

I like the lexan/plexiglass idea. Ive seen alot of sunroofs that have been covered by steel plates and stuff..Looks like shit always. Do the lexan thing

[xplicit240]

why not just remove the whole thing and weld it shut.

[handinpants]

i know this guy who welded some metal in place of it, it looks alright. I have that damn skwawking sound too every time i go over a bumpy road (most of los angeles' roads) its the sun shade on my moon roof i think

[OperationSr20]

PLEXIGLASS, not fiberglass, doh. I was looking to use the gasket maker to seal, and was just looking at the factory one after coming back from FedEx, just trying to picture it.

I'm not sure about rivetting, I may just use the factory hindge ones, or maybe make some not hindged brackets to replace them with, so theres no upwards flex to mess with the gaskets...

*Ponders*

And Xplicit, see post above yours...

I also stated in the first thread I would like to have lighting come through, and factory appearance... This is also my Daily Driver.

I also don't have a welder, nor trust the quality of my friend's welds AND then have to repaint my roof.. way too much, and unnessisary, work IMHO.

Also doesn't help with cutting weight, nothing crazy, but its there.

[OperationSr20]

Pants, its not soooo much schwacking, it squeeks and rattles, especially at idle... I have hard motor mounts and the vibrations pwn the latch, lol.

[1989rps13]

what the heck i dont understand this! i have a hatchback with no moonroof and i woudl love to have one with a moonroof it looks a lot sportier and better in my opinion. Cant you just get another latch? or the whole moonroof set up

[tdub377]

I am in the same position with my s13 coupe... I am gonna go to the junk yard and get some rear window poppers off of an old extended cab chevey truck. And attach them to a piece of aluminum that is getting water jetted. That way you can pop it up and get a nice 2-3" vent.

[OperationSr20]

I should have the title changed, lol. I really don't want to all out delete it... I don't use it, so I want to... delete its purpose?...

I want to use the lexan/plexi so it maintains it ability to let in light and such, but I never drive with it open. So the latch that props it up isn't used, all it does is sit and rattle; and I am on my second latch and it rattles the same...

With that said if I make a plexi/lexan moonroof with a custom non-swinging latch, all problems will be solved. it retains most of its functions and I will no longer have a rattling hatch. And on a lplus side I save some weight and retain a factory look.

[aoiken3]

do u get the wind howling sound when u go past like 65? on my hatchback, i like have to hold the latch down w/ 1 hand while driving to keep the decibal level down on a highway. its ridiculous. but i do like my moonroof and i drive w/ it open from time to time so i dont want to completely rid it of its purpose....dont kno wat to do!!!!

[JRas]

sheet metal and rivet it

some of us are lucky :P
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/966/img1957pw6.jpg

[Ragnarok043]

if not to expensive i would go for a carbon fiber sunroof replacement panel but not a complete delete though. i just dont like the sound of the glass rattling when the sunroof is open.

[deadstock40]

why not just remove the whole thing and weld it shut.

+1, the plexi glass idea good though. my dad has an oldschool e350 and did exactly that. removed all the sunroof parts and put in a sheet of plexi.

[SlideWell]

the proper way to delete... Position1 Racecraft S14 build - Northwest Nissans (http://www.northwestnissans.com/board/showthread.php?t=78303&highlight=jin%27s)

[OperationSr20]

do u get the wind howling sound when u go past like 65? on my hatchback, i like have to hold the latch down w/ 1 hand while driving to keep the decibal level down on a highway. its ridiculous. but i do like my moonroof and i drive w/ it open from time to time so i dont want to completely rid it of its purpose....dont kno wat to do!!!!

I don't much have the howling however when I was on the highway my latch actually detatched from the holster and the sunroof started flapping up and down! I was like wtf?! because it was like 11:30pm and caught me off guard, so I grabbed it and drove. Then I just opened the window a crack and it evened out the pressure and stopped flapping.

As far as for yourself, I'd look into getting a new latch and if that doesn't tighten the seal, maybe new gaskety.

[OperationSr20]

sheet metal and rivet it

some of us are lucky :P
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/966/img1957pw6.jpg

That is sick! My uncle does Paint & Body so if I went that route I'm somewhat lucky. Do you have any interior shots? That is my main "conern"..

[OperationSr20]

the proper way to delete... Position1 Racecraft S14 build - Northwest Nissans (http://www.northwestnissans.com/board/showthread.php?t=78303&highlight=jin%27s)

Only a few pics loaded on my Treo, but I did see what appeared to be a full replacement Roof, sitting on the hoof. Cool, be not looking to go through ALL that effort, but what appears to a great project. I didn't read the full thread, so if it is... DOH!, but I also know Koigntion (*Spelling*) cut their roof clean off and replaced with Carbonfiber, pretty badass.

Thanks for the contribution so far all... I am really leaning towards the lexan/plexi route, unless I can manage a clean delete....

[iyhfg]

we need more pictures, how would u rivit it in with a flush fit?

[SlideWell]

if your uncle does paint and body, you shouldnt have much of an issue.

[OperationSr20]

I just don't know know about the rivetting, if he can and such, and I would like to know how you got it so flush with the rivets. If I do go full delete I'd wait till I repaint my car so I can just get it done at once; but I know it won't be for a while, so maybe I'd start with the lexan project.

Does anyone know for certain if you can tint either lexan or plexiglass? I don't see why not but you never know!

[The ROMAN]

I've heard lexan isn't such a good idea, as apparently it turns yellow and needs to be replaced often. A friend riveted in a piece of metal before he painted the car, turned out ok.

[awesomenick]

That is sick! My uncle does Paint & Body so if I went that route I'm somewhat lucky. Do you have any interior shots? That is my main "conern"..

I believe he means some of us are lucky, as in, some of us have no sunroof from the factory. Rather than some of us are lucky, as in, we have a covered sunroof.

Maybe I'm just misunderstanding.

[240trainee]

Nah Nick, I'm with you

Not having a sun/moon roof was easy for me.

[OperationSr20]

Awesome.... You bring up a good point, and I feel somewhat stupid. In my defense I'm rush viewing on my Treo in-between jobs. =)

As far as Lexan discoloring, I have heard that as well and if I were replacing say.. my hatch glass I would seek otherwise, but for the sunroof I could manage; especially since ill be limo tinting it...

[OperationSr20]

I thought I added it in there, but theres a company called "Speed Glass" and I wonder if they make a moonroof replacement... they make a replacement for every other glass.

IIRC they're expensive anyway, and DIY is superior, really for Drag cars looking to cut extra pounds.

[MrFairlady]

Here ya go...I started a Thread.Whooops


But heres what I found that will work..only takes a few materials (Sheet metal,"FUSER" and an air saw to cut the 'headliner Skin") and only a tad of bondo approx 1/4" thick @ most just to flush it out.
http://zilvia.net/f/s-chassis/216393-welding-sunroof-shut.html
Final Post of mine.
this is what my body guy here is going to do to my Coupe...that he's done to 2 cars so far and 1 was a Drag Camero.
other was a 70 camero that had a sunroof CUt IN...he then took it out like he's gonna do mine.

Should work Great w/ no Side effects.:hide:

[JRas]

I believe he means some of us are lucky, as in, some of us have no sunroof from the factory. Rather than some of us are lucky, as in, we have a covered sunroof.

Maybe I'm just misunderstanding.

you have it right, that's how it came from the factory

I should of specified that I guess

metal sheet and rivet would be obvious but easy and cheap

[A Spec Products]

I would rather have no moon roof

But drifting with moon roof open is true OG style

The only thing about the moon roof I don't like is that the molding at the hinges are always old and cracked

[The ROMAN]

But drifting with moon roof open is true OG style

Reminds me of this car:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b334/9082345029386/Sexy_Knights180sx.jpg

[DrftKingIII]

I have a black S14 and I have a silver peice of sheet metal riveted on from the top. Looks badass and I get complements all the time.

[OperationSr20]

Dk3, pix! And buy my greddy type s to fund my delete.... Now!

I have a Black Hatch, and will be painting it pearl factory midnight blue... I think a custom Carbonfiber delete = pwnzer your mother... b/c Koignation (*Spelling*) Has no love for us S13 Folk =/

I was looking at it while cruising today and figured if I'm limo tinting it anyway, mine as well just delete it b/c it'll be as good as blacked out.

[JRas]

I have a black S14 and I have a silver peice of sheet metal riveted on from the top. Looks badass and I get complements all the time.

you should post up a picture for him and others

IMO it looks better than a sunroof/moonroof by far

[OperationSr20]

DK3, listen to the man! I am leaning more and more to the custom carbonfiber panel...

How is it to buy dry carbonfiber sheets now adays? I know military had first dibs in the past and even companies were having problems buying it, but that was a while ago...

*Thinks about fabrication process*

[zoototheyork]

pictures???

[origin_s135]

i think this is one.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/mehsilvia/Sunroof/mehsilviaroof1.jpg

[tattoo131313]

i think this is one.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t282/mehsilvia/Sunroof/mehsilviaroof1.jpg



That's the Kognition one. Too bad they don't make it anymore.Hell, even if they did you couldn't get one till January since they're closed till then.

[OperationSr20]

Nice Nice.... I decided to do a custom Carbon Fiber one, when the time comes... Lets keeo the thread alive though!