Sunroof.... do ya use it?

[Outback Paul]

Ok, sold my camper so now I'm ready to buy my first 4Runner. I've always wanted a sunroof but a friend of mine says that he never uses his and could care less about one.

Sooo, what do ya'll think about yours? How do you use it? Is it too noisy at highway speeds?

I think I would love to have the air from it but am fair skinned and don't want to get sun burnt. Does it block UV rays?

Thanks for the help. Hope to buy one next week if all falls into place.

Paul

 

[TranceKrayz]

it shouldn't depend on whether or not WE use it.....think about whether or not YOU'D use it. personally, i want to get as much fresh air as possible, and since the 4runner doens't come in a convertible, then sunroof is second best. it will block UV rays when it's closed of course. you can get a wind deflector to reduce wind noise on the highway. i don't have a wind deflector because i like mine just fine with the factory (small) wind deflector that flips up when you open the sunroof.

 

[Outback Paul]

Yeah, I love fresh air when it's comfortable outside.

I'd still love opinions.

Thanks

 

[jharris2]

Use mine whenever possible, plus I leave the shade open so I can get extra light and the feeling of more space.

 

[NoDak]

its great for when its raining outside, you can flip the back up (just be careful of sudden stops, the rain will roll forward). when i do slide the sunroof open, i usually only open it about 1/2 to 3/4 open to cut down on the buffeting.

since the 03+ runners have a exhaust fume backdraft when rear sliding window is down and you dont have side exhaust pipes, its the next best thing.

but about 70-80% of the time i dont use the sunroof slid open, but its nice to have when i get the urge.

 

[vcoglian]

On a nice day nothing beat's having the sunroof open and the windows down (rear window up...don't want to kill the dog in the back). Unfortunaltly, the smell of fresh air is somtimes soiled by the smell of rotten eggs from the exaust.

I've often thought of figuring out how to put the Lexus functionality so that all the windows go down with one touch. I assume that you have to replace the switches, but do not know if the motors have to be changed for the auto up.

 

[TranceKrayz]

vcoglian,

i believe you can get a remote that'll roll all windows down and up. i've seen people have them but i don't know wher they're from. how's that rear bumper guard by the way? you install it yet?

 

[aj884runner]

Sunroofs

What can I say about sunroofs...I love `em! My wifes Cressida has one and it was great. Push a button and it slides back or tilts up. Great on cool days just tilt it up and get a little fresh air in. Now my 4runner is a whole other story it`s all manual and it doesn`t slide back, it gets removed and stored in the back. It`s all good though since it`s a first gen and on nice days the back cover comes off. Plenty of fresh air! Ahhh! (Until I drive by a farm or get stuck in traffic)
:thumb:

 

[vcoglian]

vcoglian,

i believe you can get a remote that'll roll all windows down and up. i've seen people have them but i don't know wher they're from. how's that rear bumper guard by the way? you install it yet?

TranceKrayz,

Put the bumper guard on Sunday. Went on without any issues. Drove past my dealer and had them take off the tow hook. Beware, however, I already lost one of the end caps for the guard. Got a call into T&H to get it replaced.

 

[tkr128]

I use mine pretty much all the time. I usually have it tilted up most the time and slide it open in the evening. The only time I don't use it is when the sun is shining down on the roof or I want a quiet trip.

 

[EXTEX]

Outback Paul

Go for the sunroof! Especially if you've never had one. Kinda like one of those "first bike ride" things. Chances are that you will like it, and even if that is NOT the case, what have you lost? A few Hundred bucks, and you will like recoop a good bit of that on resale, not to mention, improved marketabilty of the truck when you do go sell it. Worse case if you don't like it....leave it closed. No biggie. I use mine all the time as a skylite, and have opened it often, weather permitting [still winter in VA!]. Finally, during hot weather, as it features the vent position, it keeps the truck so much cooler when you return.

 

[ayoung101]

i'm in michigan so my months that i can use a sunroof are limited. i have one on my celica and i absolutely LOVE it. i use the windows and the sunroof WAY more than i use the air conditioning. as for noise and UV, mine has an opaque cover that slides forward so you can't see the glass. whenever i'm not using it i almost always have the cover closed. (obviously it takes care of the UV problem). it dampens the sound quite a lot. also, the glass itself (in mine at least) is tinted.

 

[Iman74]

Plus when it's really cold, crank up the heat when you are driving fast, tilt the sunroof, and you will feel this warm tingling feeling in your feet.

 

[ayoung101]

Plus when it's really cold, crank up the heat when you are driving fast, tilt the sunroof, and you will feel this warm tingling feeling in your feet.

yeah, i "extend" the summer season as much as possible by doing that. early spring and late fall, when it's in the 50's and sunny, i'll have my windows down and sunroof open and blasting the heat.

 

[rando]

I just leave the shade open but rarely open the glass.

 

[sharp4runr]

I use mine as often as weather permits. I had a sunroof on my 93 celica, and when the time came to trade her in I knew I wanted a 4Runner with a Moonroof. I also use it as a venting feature like someone posted. On hot days, I leave it tilted up so it vents the hot air out as much as possible. Once you get a sunroof in your car, you'll always want one in your next.

The only drawback is if you're really tall, the sunroof does eat up some vertical space. I'm not tall at all, so no complaints here. My moonroof glass is also tinted, great feature since I don't want to get burned too badly...

 

[prlundberg]

I wish mine didn't have a sunroof, it takes up too much headroom.

Nice to have, but hardly worth the money IMO.

 

[Sac State]

It is either cracked open or opened all the way every time the key is turned, except when it is snowing or raining of course.

I wouldn't buy the vehicle without it. I am 6'1" and have no difficulty with head room.

 

[Mark86]

I use mine all the time. Whenever the windows are open, the sunroof is open. The sunroof on the 4Runner is nice and big so a lot of fresh air comes in. The only time my sunroof is closed is when it rains or it is too cold! :jester:

 

[Outback Paul]

The first 4Runner I got into had a sunroof and I hit my head on the ceiling when I got in it. I'm about 5'11 and like to sit straight up. I'm an, on the edge of my seat, kind of guy. I also drove one without the sunroof and it had plenty of headroom while sitting up straight; however, my field of vision was up near the top of the front windshield. That didn't feel right either.

I'm going to try to get a couple hour test drive on one tomorrow to try to get comfortable in it with a sunroof before I buy.

Paul