Has anyone ever re-roofed a 3rd gen?
- Thread starter jkeith.w
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
IsaiahC
New member
If by re-roofing you mean seal my sunroof with rtv, then yes. Sounds like way too much trouble to replace the roof. Assuming it's possible, I can't imagine it being financially feasible. What is feasible is putting a 1/4 a tube of rtv on the sunroof to seal up everything.
Southernbike
Member
I had a body shop do this for a Bronco that I had years ago. The aftermarket sunroof was leaking pretty bad. I lucked up and found a nice headliner in a junkyard and replaced that as well. Most body shops I talked to would not touch it. I got lucky and found one that needed the work. I cannot remember what I paid, but it was not too bad.
Chuckles89
New member
[MENTION=106527]Erickson[/MENTION] wants to do the opposite to his...
IBallEngineer
New member
Definitely not covered in the manual. But I have done it, had an American Sunroof Company sunroof installed in my landcruiser back in 1997, 15 years later I welded the opening closed.
I drilled 3/16" holes about an inch apart all the way around the opening, then laid a strip of 18G sheet metal about 3" wide on the underside, with 1-1/2" showing in the opening and plug welded through the holes. This gave the replacement panel something to sit on, and allows a nice uniform height. I did the same plug weld method on the replacement panel. Then I stitch welded, very slowly all the way around the butt joint never allowing to much heat build up so as not to warp. Skim coat with your favorite plastic filler, sand to taste and it's done!
Here is an example of joining panels using this technique.
http://gtyurkon.com/MC850/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2016_0112_27_0912151801a_RockerTopWeldedOutside.jpg
jkeith.w
Official Vendor
thanks for the reply. I've closed sunroofs before, but would rather not weld in the middle of the roof span if I can avoid it. - was hoping there was a "procedure" for the procedure (like I use at work for the cars we work on.)
I have access to a non-sunroof roof clip; may just grab it and weld the hole like you suggest.. - still weighing options.
(I don't appreciate sunroofs, in case it wasn't apparent)
I have access to a non-sunroof roof clip; may just grab it and weld the hole like you suggest.. - still weighing options.
(I don't appreciate sunroofs, in case it wasn't apparent)
TheDurk
Elite Member
There is a whole separate collision repair manual that covers all 3Gens. Part # BRM060E. I've never seen one and I don't know if it would cover that issue.
dogtail
New member
It is however easier and cheap to replace sunroof and fix any leak. Get a good sunroof from a junk yard, should be less than $100. Pull out headliner and the bolts are exposed, pops out easy. If you want you can leave motor unplugged so it will never open again and get hung up on track. Make sure drain tubes are cleared. Another leak area is in roof rack track, all the screws need a dab of silicone before you install them, if they've ever been removed, may not have been done. I had to deal with both issues.
IBallEngineer
New member
thanks for the reply. I've closed sunroofs before, but would rather not weld in the middle of the roof span if I can avoid it. - was hoping there was a "procedure" for the procedure (like I use at work for the cars we work on.)
I have access to a non-sunroof roof clip; may just grab it and weld the hole like you suggest.. - still weighing options.
(I don't appreciate sunroofs, in case it wasn't apparent)
Well if you wanted to skin the entire roof, you'd have to pull the windshield and then drill a boatload of spot welds along the roof rail. And the best part is you get to do it twice since you would be using a used roof skin. I've done this on a few roll over cars, the largest being a Honda CRV. Although it can be done correctly I don't recommend it. Upsetting all those factory welds and corrosion points is never a good thing. You just can't reproduce the clean spot welds and EDP corrosion protection the body gets on the production line.
By filling the hole you can control the entire thing, use weld through primer and properly prep both sides. Patience is the answer to welding through the middle of the roof.
Scramble
New member
I have one of the few 4Runners that didn't come with a sunroof. My last 3 cars have had one & I never use them. They're pretty worthless & annoying, I'd rather have a convertible & do it the right way.
jkeith.w
Official Vendor
I have a little experience with spot welds.
- that said, I'd prefer to research all possible approaches before I jump into this on a vehicle I'm not familiar with - better safe than sorry!
I want to be 100% positive of success before I commit.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
