Okay so as with a lot of members on this site I've noticed some issues regarding rust on my sunroof. While washing my 4runner the other day I noticed that the seal around the glass has now become warped due to the rusting and I've also noticed water coming down behind my A-pillar during heavy rain so it appears this is something I can no longer ignore.

Which brings me to where I'm at now.

I'm looking at two different routes. Either buy new for what looks like $800+ or try to scrap one. I found a junk yard local that has an 05 in that I plan on checking out later this week to see if it has any rust however I would prefer new just for the piece of mind. While researching new replacements I've come to a crossroad.

Going through toyota parts finder I'm getting the part # 63201-35090
This item is not available on most oem toyota sites for some reason but I have found it on a few others for around $550 plus like $300 in shipping... bit ridiculous.

However, I have also come across part# 63201-35084... this appears to be the sunroof for the gx470 and land cruiser. This is much more widely available, I can even get it on amazon for $460 plus $50 shipping. There are also a few links that connect this pn with 03-09 4runners and in pictures they look identical.

So I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this or knowledge of the differences if there are any. Is there anywhere on the factory sunroof that gives the pn? Could save a lot of money if they are the same parts and might help other members down the line with the same issues.

Before condemning the seal as the culprit (although it could very well be), you may want to consider troubleshooting the sunroof drains - are they clear or perhaps they are blocked?

Leaky sunroof?? Any Help

Sunroof leak = Drains clogged. Help pleaee

Moonroof Drain Locations (Underside)

4th gen sunroof rear drain exit location

For what it's worth, 63201-35084 shows as fitting my 2008 4runner. Is the sunroof functional? Any rust on the body or is it just on sunroof assembly?

Yeah I've been all over those threads since it started. Unfortunately the drains are clear. I'll be pulling the headliner this afternoon to get a better idea of whats going on.

Just the sunroof assembly. Still functions but there's literally chunks of rust falling into the car when I open it. I'll post pictures here as the process continues to try and provide more info for other members.

dumb question,do you regularly "maintain" the sunroof? (lube the rails, clean out the nooks and crannies when it is open) Hope the rust is isolated to your sunroof only, that way it can be replaced and nothing more.

Good luck and looking forward to seeing those pictures.

Not really aside from cleaning the drains. I hardly ever use it, it had rust building in the front corners since I got it so I just pretended it wasn't there but the rust has gotten noticeably worse over time. I just pulled down the headliner and did a water test and now I don't see anything coming from that corner so I'm baffled. Drains are working fine and no other rust aside from the metal frame around the glass. We've had rain the last few day here and the top corner of my headliner above my driver side A pillar is damp. It was running down the a pillar down the inside of my dash and dripping on my feet. Im wondering if the tray is just overflowing from the amount of water getting in?

Lived here for over 50 years, and the amount of rain coming down sometimes can be like a fire hose during some of these storms. So the tray could very well be overflowing. Your drain may not be fully clogged but restricted a little, making it back up in the heaviest down pour. Is it possible it's leaking around the windshield or somewhere else besides the tray?

Please do, I have to remove and replace mine at some point, but not because of rust. Would love any documentation you're able to grab.

I want to say I saw a thread about a similar problem someone else had with their 4th gen. Sunroof drain and all was ok, he said that where the factory roof rack is bolted to the body is where his leak was. The front mounts are right there, check them for rust/water damage.

@wkeryder4 - were you able to resolve this?

I ended up cleaning out the drains with a weed wacker line and I replaced the glass assembly with a rust free one I found on eBay. Have not seen any water since.

Encountering a similar issue now. The headliner has been removed. In your scenario, the drains were unclogged using a weed wacker line, and the water source was determined to be rust blocking the trays? If I opt for replacing the glass, does the new sunroof include an improved seal or new silver trays?