is it possible to put a moonroof/sunroof into a 95 240 stok - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

07-25-2001, 08:23 PM

i have the base model 95 240 w/ no sunroof and i want one is it possible for me to put one in or will the integrity of the car get screwed up?

gfisch · 07-25-2001, 09:13 PM

I dont know exactly how youd go about it, but you should be able to do it. I'd get it done professionally so it doesnt leak though.
If you figure it out, I can get you all the parts you need from my scrapped '95 SE.

96SEChick · 07-25-2001, 09:34 PM

I've heard it's tough to put in an aftermarket sunroof/moonroof that doesn't leak--not saying it can't be done, though.  You may get a few extra rattles and I'm not sure how you'd have to go about doing the headliner (my roof comes down about 3/4" to 1" lower where the sunroof slides straight back).  

Fuzzy Ewok · 07-25-2001, 11:47 PM

You're taking a risk with an aftermarket installation of a sunroof/moonroof no matter what car it's done on. The chances of it leaking are rather high, even if it's done very well. This is only my opinion, but the skill of the person that does it will only change how long it takes to leak, not IF it leaks. If you're planning on keeping the car a long time, I'd advise against it. Once it starts to leak, it's very, very tough to stop it short of sealing it shut permanently. And even then, water still finds a way in. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

*transient* · 07-26-2001, 10:34 AM

I think it all depends on the kind of sunroof that you install, or have installed, but I really can't see an aftermarket sunroof having all these problems because people would never put them in.

gt7152b · 07-26-2001, 12:26 PM

Sunroofs are way overrated, IMO. I had one in my first car and I hardly used it. My '97 has one too and I never use it. It would be much easier to install a pop up/pop out moonroof than a sliding sunroof.  

*transient* · 07-26-2001, 02:25 PM

Actually you've got it wrong... A sunroof is just defined as an opening in your roof. That includes pop up sunroofs sliding sunroofs and moonroofs

The moonroof was a term coined by ford that means an internal sliding sunroof that opens completely.

here's a link if you would like to read more about it <a href="http://www.sunroofs.org/openair.htm">sunroof information</a>

Fuzzy Ewok · 07-26-2001, 11:45 PM

There's actually a lot of stuff out there (car related or not) that tons of people buy, even if it's been proven a risk or completely faulty. Just because a decent number of people buy something doesn't mean it's worth your money. I would do some serious research on aftermarket sunroofs before having one installed. Find some mechanics you trust and go ask them what they think about aftermarket sunroofs and their experiences with them. It would be my guess that well over 50% of them advise against it (not a promising thought when thinking about water leaking into a car you work so hard on). And in the very least, try to find someone who will sell you one and install it with a guarantee that it won't leak for a satisfactory amount of time.

*transient* · 07-27-2001, 12:15 AM

tell me something... if an aftermarket sunroof will leak like a bastard then why don't factory sunroofs? There's not much difference that I can see.

Fuzzy Ewok · 07-27-2001, 03:22 AM

A lot of it hinges on two things...the quality of the aftermarket sunroof and the skill of the person installing it. The quality of the product you buy is completely within the buyer's control...as for the skill of the installer... There is always room for question about any kind of work done like that, but it can be controlled by the buyer to some extent.

The difference in an aftermarket sunroof is that with a factory installed one, you're dealing with a proven, thouroughly tested method that is planned from the initial stages of the car design. The people doing it are either experts at doing it (since they would be factory workers who do it all the time, on the same type of cars) or, more likely, incredibly expensive machines more accurate than a human could be.

With an aftermarket sunroof, you normally have products sold with little or no guarantee against leaks. Sure it's been tested...but as much as a factory installed product? In addition to that, you've got an installer who probably doesn't deal with your type of car all that often. Maybe he/she installs sunroofs for a living, maybe not...maybe it is just a part of the business for his/her company.

No matter how you look at it, you have a person cutting holes in the roof of your car. What's being installed is a piece of glass meant to cover this hole and keep water out with some sealants/weather stripping/gaskets. And on top of that, it isn't just there to let sunlight in, it actually opens, complicating the sealing design even further. The parts aren't supplied by the factory, nor are they installed by people as the car is being constructed.

I'm not saying it isn't possible to have one that works perfect and lasts you a very long time without any leaks. I am saying, though, it's a risk...and a costly one if the coin lands on the wrong side for you. Water damage is bad enough, but when the water leaks through the areas it has to leak through from a sunroof, it carries with it a whole mess of interesting things that leave horrible stains. For every person out there who has never had a problem with an aftermarket sunroof, there is another who has.

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07-25-2001, 08:23 PM	#1
Guest Posts: n/a	i have the base model 95 240 w/ no sunroof and i want one is it possible for me to put one in or will the integrity of the car get screwed up?

07-25-2001, 09:13 PM	#2
gfisch Zilvia Junkie Join Date: May 2001 Location: Warren,NJ / Baltimore,MD Age: 41 Posts: 576 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I dont know exactly how youd go about it, but you should be able to do it. I'd get it done professionally so it doesnt leak though. If you figure it out, I can get you all the parts you need from my scrapped '95 SE.

07-25-2001, 09:34 PM	#3
96SEChick Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Age: 44 Posts: 1,814 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've heard it's tough to put in an aftermarket sunroof/moonroof that doesn't leak--not saying it can't be done, though.  You may get a few extra rattles and I'm not sure how you'd have to go about doing the headliner (my roof comes down about 3/4" to 1" lower where the sunroof slides straight back).

07-25-2001, 11:47 PM	#4
Fuzzy Ewok Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 90 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You're taking a risk with an aftermarket installation of a sunroof/moonroof no matter what car it's done on. The chances of it leaking are rather high, even if it's done very well. This is only my opinion, but the skill of the person that does it will only change how long it takes to leak, not IF it leaks. If you're planning on keeping the car a long time, I'd advise against it. Once it starts to leak, it's very, very tough to stop it short of sealing it shut permanently. And even then, water still finds a way in. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

07-26-2001, 10:34 AM	#5
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 37 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I think it all depends on the kind of sunroof that you install, or have installed, but I really can't see an aftermarket sunroof having all these problems because people would never put them in.

07-26-2001, 12:26 PM	#6
gt7152b Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 70 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Sunroofs are way overrated, IMO. I had one in my first car and I hardly used it. My '97 has one too and I never use it. It would be much easier to install a pop up/pop out moonroof than a sliding sunroof.

07-26-2001, 02:25 PM	#7
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 37 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Actually you've got it wrong... A sunroof is just defined as an opening in your roof. That includes pop up sunroofs sliding sunroofs and moonroofs The moonroof was a term coined by ford that means an internal sliding sunroof that opens completely. here's a link if you would like to read more about it <a href="http://www.sunroofs.org/openair.htm">sunroof information</a>

07-26-2001, 11:45 PM	#8
Fuzzy Ewok Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 90 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	There's actually a lot of stuff out there (car related or not) that tons of people buy, even if it's been proven a risk or completely faulty. Just because a decent number of people buy something doesn't mean it's worth your money. I would do some serious research on aftermarket sunroofs before having one installed. Find some mechanics you trust and go ask them what they think about aftermarket sunroofs and their experiences with them. It would be my guess that well over 50% of them advise against it (not a promising thought when thinking about water leaking into a car you work so hard on). And in the very least, try to find someone who will sell you one and install it with a guarantee that it won't leak for a satisfactory amount of time.

07-27-2001, 12:15 AM	#9
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 37 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	tell me something... if an aftermarket sunroof will leak like a bastard then why don't factory sunroofs? There's not much difference that I can see.

07-27-2001, 03:22 AM	#10
Fuzzy Ewok Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 90 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	A lot of it hinges on two things...the quality of the aftermarket sunroof and the skill of the person installing it. The quality of the product you buy is completely within the buyer's control...as for the skill of the installer... There is always room for question about any kind of work done like that, but it can be controlled by the buyer to some extent. The difference in an aftermarket sunroof is that with a factory installed one, you're dealing with a proven, thouroughly tested method that is planned from the initial stages of the car design. The people doing it are either experts at doing it (since they would be factory workers who do it all the time, on the same type of cars) or, more likely, incredibly expensive machines more accurate than a human could be. With an aftermarket sunroof, you normally have products sold with little or no guarantee against leaks. Sure it's been tested...but as much as a factory installed product? In addition to that, you've got an installer who probably doesn't deal with your type of car all that often. Maybe he/she installs sunroofs for a living, maybe not...maybe it is just a part of the business for his/her company. No matter how you look at it, you have a person cutting holes in the roof of your car. What's being installed is a piece of glass meant to cover this hole and keep water out with some sealants/weather stripping/gaskets. And on top of that, it isn't just there to let sunlight in, it actually opens, complicating the sealing design even further. The parts aren't supplied by the factory, nor are they installed by people as the car is being constructed. I'm not saying it isn't possible to have one that works perfect and lasts you a very long time without any leaks. I am saying, though, it's a risk...and a costly one if the coin lands on the wrong side for you. Water damage is bad enough, but when the water leaks through the areas it has to leak through from a sunroof, it carries with it a whole mess of interesting things that leave horrible stains. For every person out there who has never had a problem with an aftermarket sunroof, there is another who has.