Notices
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd/3rd gen pickups, and 1st/2nd gen 4Runners with IFS

2nd Gen Factory Sunroof Installation

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-26-2009, 09:54 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
scmedic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Santa Clara, California
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2nd Gen Factory Sunroof Installation

A friend of mine picked up a wrecked 2nd gen 4runner with a sunroof recently. I'm wondering if it would be worth stripping the sunroof parts and headliner out of it and trying to get them installed in my 2nd gen (which currently doesn't have a sunroof). At first glance, it looks like it would be a major PITA. Just wondering if anyone here has done this, and what would be involved? Is this even worth considering?
Old 01-26-2009, 10:06 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
T-1000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by scmedic
A friend of mine picked up a wrecked 2nd gen 4runner with a sunroof recently. I'm wondering if it would be worth stripping the sunroof parts and headliner out of it and trying to get them installed in my 2nd gen (which currently doesn't have a sunroof). At first glance, it looks like it would be a major PITA. Just wondering if anyone here has done this, and what would be involved? Is this even worth considering?
I would readily say no. I have a sunroof, but I guarantee installing it would be a huge PITA, like you said, and it would probably never be perfectly watertight.

It isn't just the window, there's a loong plastic compartment that goes behind it where the window slides into. Then you have to install condensation drains from those out to the rear.

I also really doubt you'd be able to cut the roof accurately enough to prevent leaks. And mounting the actuating hardware would also be pretty difficult, you'd have to weld onto sheet metal upside-down. Not easy.

If you really want a sunroof, I'd say put a new body on there.
Old 01-26-2009, 10:17 PM
  #3  
Registered User
 
SpecialScottie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sun Valley, CA
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My dad put a sunroof on his 79 pickup. Although it wasnt a sliding one. Just a split kind with the pop up windows. It never leaked though.
Old 01-26-2009, 10:25 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
xzyragon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: LA
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
just spitballin here, but if ur friend is SUPER nice, he might let you cut out (if you have a plasma torch) the area around the sunroof / plastic storing area and then cut the corresponding area out of ur 4runner, and then just weld the puppy in and wire it up and BOOM, u got urself a sunroof that will guarenteed have no leaks.

don't know if it would work, but it sounds feasible if u got the right tools.
Old 01-26-2009, 10:28 PM
  #5  
Registered User
 
nv4runner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Missoula, MT
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
I thought about it for maybe a minute and then realized that not only will it probably or eventually leak, but its also another thing that can break or be broken. That's probably the only factory option that I won't install on my 2nd gen. Now all I need is the swing out tire carrier (or to make one) and I'll be happy until I can afford a locker.
Old 01-26-2009, 10:44 PM
  #6  
Registered User
 
scuba's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 11,338
Received 120 Likes on 59 Posts
Originally Posted by xzyragon
just spitballin here, but if ur friend is SUPER nice, he might let you cut out (if you have a plasma torch) the area around the sunroof / plastic storing area and then cut the corresponding area out of ur 4runner, and then just weld the puppy in and wire it up and BOOM, u got urself a sunroof that will guarenteed have no leaks.

don't know if it would work, but it sounds feasible if u got the right tools.
That seems like alot more work...
Old 01-27-2009, 05:57 AM
  #7  
Contributing Member
 
aviator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: COTKU,Ontario,Canada
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There is another option just cut the whole roof off... cut the a/b/c/d pillars and lift her right off... make sure your cuts are square take it and yours to a good body man and have him pull the old switch-eroo... but this would be mucho expensive...
Old 01-28-2009, 10:15 PM
  #8  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
scmedic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Santa Clara, California
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. I'm thinking it's going to be more work than it's worth for me to put in the factory sunroof. I'm think I may pass on it altogether, or maybe as a compromise, I might install just the headliner with the sliding sunshade built in, and have someone install an aftermarket popup sunroof over it. I won't have the nice electric factory sunroof but at least I'll have a setup with a sunshade that looks OEM from the inside...
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bigjstang
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
20
08-25-2021 12:41 AM
RedRunner_87
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners (Build-Up Section)
84
06-01-2021 01:51 PM
deepmarsh
84-85 Trucks & 4Runners
5
08-06-2015 03:44 AM
Steezy96yota
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners (Build-Up Section)
1
07-06-2015 10:00 AM
HRDC0R19
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
3
07-05-2015 06:43 PM



Quick Reply: 2nd Gen Factory Sunroof Installation



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:08 PM.