Moonroof or not to moonroof; that is the question!

[bglfgd]

My personal experience with the moon roof in my 16 SR5P is that it's only good for taking up headroom and rattling.

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[The_Green_Wang]

I have a 2017 SR5 Premium and i like my moonroof. Brings in more light into the cabin and has a more fresh spacious feeling when open. Also when no ones around... me or my passenger stands out the top.... dont tell anyone though [emoji28]

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[ADK Explorer]

Had one on a previous truck and it leaked. Heard that most do eventually. Definitely did not want one.

 

[wcjeep]

I have an Offroad Premium, no sunroof. It took over a month for one to show up in my Geo area. Sunroof's take 2-3" of headroom. Look at the rear cargo area. Sunroof equipped vehicles have a lowered roof area above the passengers. I've had sunroof vehicles in the past. Opened it once a year to verify it still worked. Sunroof drains can plug. Rocks can hit the sunroof from the road or by birds. Sunroofs tend to leak and/or rattle. It's not common, does happen.

When I did have a sunroof, always kept the cover closed to keep the sun off.

 

[LandCruiser]

Mine came with one, didn't have an option not to order it.

I'm big and it doesn't get in the way of headroom.

It's leaked only once and that's because something wasn't adjusted right.

I leave it cracked most of the summer, and I like how it opens up the cabin.

 

[ToyDB]

Have a sunroof on my 2018 Limited and had one on my 2003 SR5. Sunroof opened and side and rear window down on a nice day is a good ride.

Also once purchased a tree which was too long to lay flat but loaded sticking out the sunroof and home it went.

No leaks after 175 miles on my 03. Given my height the slight loss of headroom is not an issue.

Personal preference of course but I vote YES for a sunroof.

 

[tom.webster.372]

I thought I had found the exact '18 ORP I wanted and was about to fly to see it this weekend when it came to my attention that it does not have the moonroof I wanted. So here's my questions to the collective:

1. What are the pros and cons of having moonroofs on 4Runners?
2. If you have one, do you use it? If so, what's the most interesting thing you've used it for?
3. If you don't have one do you wish you did and why?

I can still get this one if I want it, but most people are advising me to wait and get the exact one I want. What say you?

Thanks,
Paul

I specifically bought a post 2012 gen5 without a moon roof.

If you are tall (6'3"+), a 2013 and later will have you awfully close to the roof with a moon roof. In a pre-2013 when the seats were refreshed, your head will be against the roof.

Ditching the moonroof will give you a couple of extra inches for bounce on rough roads.


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[mrblah]

I thought I had found the exact '18 ORP I wanted and was about to fly to see it this weekend when it came to my attention that it does not have the moonroof I wanted. So here's my questions to the collective:

1. What are the pros and cons of having moonroofs on 4Runners?
2. If you have one, do you use it? If so, what's the most interesting thing you've used it for?
3. If you don't have one do you wish you did and why?

I can still get this one if I want it, but most people are advising me to wait and get the exact one I want. What say you?

Thanks,
Paul

1. pros: fresh air at night when cruising around town. Cons: it eats up alot of headroom. If you plan on getting a roof rack, well there maybe compatibility problems depending on which rack you want to get.
2. I don't have one in my current runner because I'm a big dood, but I do miss it since I live near the beach.
3. see number two. It doesn't bother me too much not having it other than missing it from time to time.

 

[ElectroBoy]

I had a moonroof on my 2000 SR5. In 18 years of owning and driving it 239,000 miles I opened the moonroof less than 50 times. Usually just to check its operation. I didn't like the sun beating down on my head and the added noise. However it's nice to have when sleeping in your vehicle to get ventilation. And my wife occasionally snapped photos out of it.

I got a 2018 TORP and specifically did not get a moonroof, to keep it simpler and quieter.

 

[Jeffy]

Depends on if you'll actually use it. Like others have said, there's pros and cons.

I absolutely loved mine in my 2003 Limited and used it damn near every single time I got in the car. I didn't mind having less headroom or the (slightly) higher wind noise.

HOWEVER: Mine developed the dreaded sunroof rattle, and it once got stuck in the fully open position in the middle of a rainstorm. Not fun. Eventually it completely failed and I ended up using silicone to seal it closed and removed the motor entirely.

Would I get one again? Probably, but with the knowledge that one day it might turn into a window that can't be opened, while limiting headroom by a couple inches (and I'm pretty tall).

If you're leasing the car or not planning on keeping it too long, get one if you don't mind the slightly reduced headroom. It should work fine for at least 7 years, after that is when they begin to develop issues.

 

[PauldF]

Since I started it I thought I should come full circle and post my results.

I just bought and brought home a brand new, TRD Off Road Premium with a moonroof this week.

I'm super happy with it and posted elsewhere about the trip home with this info about the moonroof:

"I took the 89 south out of Prescott through the Prescott Valley Forest and had a wonderful drive. 89 through the forest is fantastic set of sweepers set in great scenery. Awesome motorcycle or sportscar road like many of the amazing roads here in the Malibu hills or like the 33 though Ojai into Lockwood valley - I highly recommend it! Opened up all the windows including the rear and moonroof and enjoyed the cool mountain air. First winner for the moonroof. Baby handled the sweepers very nicely and although I did notice the 'dreaded nose dive' it wasn't excessive and if you're smooth it's no biggie. The second winner for the moonroof came as I headed into the flats below Yarnell. With the moonroof open I was able to hear the unmistakable sound of air superiority fighters getting after it overhead. I pulled over and got a 5 minute mini airshow as an F-35 and two F-16's did some dogfighting overhead. Moonroof paid for itself right then. Without it open I never would have heard them and most likely would never have seen them."

So I guess you could say I'm a believer!

 

[Alpha.]

I don't have one but that's just cause I live in the city and have no use for it but I think they look ugly when its random models and not the nice black covered ones.

 

[SidKo]

If I can do it over again, I probably order one without.

3 points I want to make:

First, I did initially use the moonroof at first until I realized how much cabin noise was being created by an open moonroof. I thought that I needed it because of air flow into the cabin, but with vent visors and back window that opens, this is all I ever really needed.

Second - Now with a moonroof, it makes it a little harder to settle on a roof rack.

Third - It's another moving part that I will have to worry that may fail - mechanical motor or the seal.

 

[AZoutlaw480]

13 sr5 premium here. We have a moon roof and love it!

I had one on my old Lancer too and loved it, used it all the time, never leaked.

We also have a Prinsu 7/8ths rack mounted up. The rack only covers a portion of the port. The wind noise isnt crazy as long as we have at least one other window open. We usually crack the back windows when using the moonroof.

We love it though! Love the extra light.

 

[Beach5150]

Obviously a personal preference.
But my wife’s 16 SR5 Premuim has one & she never uses it.
I had a Tundra with one & only used it to stop the buffeting for the dogs head out the back window.
Now I have a 17 Off-Road without one and don’t miss it at all.

 

[mackmoney3000]

I test drove and put a deposit down on a 2018 w/ a sunroof this weekend. I am 6'2" and with the seat as low as it will go I would call the headliner w/ the sunroof "acceptably close". I am not going to hit it but there is not a ton of space between the crown of my head and the headliner. If you are tall, take care to make sure you are comfortable with the space.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

This was a big reason that I went for an SR5 Premium and not an Offroad Premium or a TRD Pro, I really wanted a sunroof and only select models had them

 

[Jdog]

I had one in the 3rd gen i owned before my the trail. I do miss the moon roof especially for just looking above you. The down side to them is at 6'3 I would always hit my head on the lip of the moon roof and with the trail i don't touch the headliner, which is weird at first but it is nice.

 

[westwind77]

Glad you got it! Better to have one then be wondering what if. I use mine daily when in my garage. I know when to stop when the emergency pull handle is right at the back, perfect to the inch every time!

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I had one in the 3rd gen i owned before my the trail. I do miss the moon roof especially for just looking above you. The down side to them is at 6'3 I would always hit my head on the lip of the moon roof and with the trail i don't touch the headliner, which is weird at first but it is nice.

I had this problem in my 08 4th gen, if I would slam on the brakes really hard I would hit my head on the head liner. Not so in my 5th gen thankfully, the interior is like a living room