Sunroof Or Not?

B

BigDogMoney

New member
Hello,

I just purchased an '04 without a sunroof, and was considering putting installing one. From the posts I have read in different forums on this site (which by the way is a great site, and is full of very useful information - glad I found it) there seems to be a general consensus that the sunroofs on the new gen 4Runners are problematic. I love sunroofs and would like to get one installed but not at the expense of rattles and leaks, and frequent stops to the dealer.

Does anyone know if the sunroof design issues were resolved by Toyota, and would it be advisable to look into a non-toyota sunroof?

Thanks!
 
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At this point you don't have the option of getting a Toyota sunroof. Even if you bring it to the dealer he is going to put an aftermarket sunroof in the truck. That being said I know of a few people who have had aftermarket sunroofs installed in their Toyotas at the dealer and haven't had any problems with them
 
Toybox is correct. As far as I know, you cannot have a Toyota sunroof installed. I've just purchased a '04 Sport with the OEM sunroof and have experienced no problems so far.
 
BigDogMoney said:
Thanks Joe. I'm from the Philly area also. Do you know where you buddy got his sunroof from?
Click to expand...

They both had them installed by the Toyota dealer but it was aftermarket roof that they probably had someone come in to install or drove it to their shop.

At least if you get it installed by the dealer you most likely will get a quality roof and installation and also Toyota will stand behind it.
 
aftermarket sunroofs

a couple of things that are very different about an aftermarket vs factory sunroof is that with a factory sunroof they treat the metal to prevent rust inside the pillars and roof metal prior to installing the headliner and sunroof itself, and they install drains in case water does get around the seal.

Aftermarket sunroof installers cannot treat the inside of the roof to prevent rust and the cannot install drains to channel any water away which may cause problems further down the road. Since the metal was cut this violates the rust through warranty and could cause some blistering.

In more moderate climates this is not an issue, but in the snow and rain when the seal is prone to expanding and shrinking, this may be an issue...
 
I had a suspicision that non-factory installed sunroofs were a risky proposition. I wonder if the sheetmetal (the roof) is cut for the sunroof opening before it is attached to the body of the vehicle. For that matter, I wonder if the factory has headliners that are cut specifically to compensate for the sunroof.

In any case, my money might be better spent on another accessory.

Thanks
 
I would not recommend installing an after market sunroof. You are looking for trouble. I am one of those who has had problem with the sunroof. First, it came in scratched so the dealer said they would replace it. Next they did not install it right so there was another day at the dealer. Third I had the rattle so they found it was a part. I took it out the third time and was driving it home with the sunroof open. I go to close the sunroof and it is jammed. I got it closed, but now my 4Runner is at the dealer getting it fixed. So far, we are going on two days. It should be ready today. Also, I waited three weeks for this part to come in. It was on backorder.
 
BigDogMoney said:
I had a suspicision that non-factory installed sunroofs were a risky proposition. I wonder if the sheetmetal (the roof) is cut for the sunroof opening before it is attached to the body of the vehicle. For that matter, I wonder if the factory has headliners that are cut specifically to compensate for the sunroof.

In any case, my money might be better spent on another accessory.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I have a factory sunroof on my 2004 4Runner and so far no problems. We had originally looked at a 4Runner with a 3rd-seat and I understand that, for some reason, they don't come with factory sunroofs. The headliners look different on the 2 & 3 seat models too. The dealer was reluctant to install a sunroof on the 3-seat model. Nevertheless, they use an outside specialist for their sunroof installations. I didn't need the 3rd seat and wife wanted a sunroof so we went with the two-seat model and factory sunroof (did I have any choice!). So far so good, knock on wood-trim. IMO, I wouldn't want anyone cutting into my roof, I just wouldn’t have any confidence in the finished product. I agree with boston_kevin’s comments.
 
I have the OEM sunroof. It works fine but it does squeak and rattle a bit. I haven't take it in to have them work on it out of fear of them making it worse and/or messing something else up. I'm not to keen on the though of them removing my headliner.

As for an aftermarket unit, there is no way I could let someone chop a hole in the roof of my $30k+ 4runner. That's just not going to happen. Rust would definitely be a huge concern. If you cut ANY metal on your truck, you MUST seal it. If you don't it will rust ... in any environment. It could take a few years only a few months for that rust to be apparent. Once it starts though, it's a tough (if not impossible) problem to cure.

That's my two cents on the issue. If you do go aftermarket, be sure to take before/after pics. I know many people would like to see how it turns out.
 
I think you're better off without the sunroof. I wanted one when I got my car and got it with my car from the factory. It's been irritating me a bit lately because everything seems so loose. The design of it is just a bit too flimsy for me. As for the aftermarket sunroof, I already have enough trouble with the idea of drilling holes in my hatch for a spoiler, you can imagine my fear of making that big of a hole over my head.
 
rando said:
I have the OEM sunroof. It works fine but it does squeak and rattle a bit. I haven't take it in to have them work on it out of fear of them making it worse and/or messing something else up. I'm not to keen on the though of them removing my headliner.

As for an aftermarket unit, there is no way I could let someone chop a hole in the roof of my $30k+ 4runner. That's just not going to happen. Rust would definitely be a huge concern. If you cut ANY metal on your truck, you MUST seal it. If you don't it will rust ... in any environment. It could take a few years only a few months for that rust to be apparent. Once it starts though, it's a tough (if not impossible) problem to cure.

That's my two cents on the issue. If you do go aftermarket, be sure to take before/after pics. I know many people would like to see how it turns out.
Click to expand...

Just got my truck back today. What you said is true. My headliner does not look the same. It has many scratches and bends in it. Hopefully it will get better over time. If you want, I can post pictures.
 
Aftermarket sunroof

Hey...
Just picked up my '04 SE last week. Much to my dismay, it lacked a sunroof and a rear spoiler. The dealer (Sloane) is putting in the Sunroof. Anybody have any concerns or photos of an aftermarket sunroof?

Also does anyone have any experience with whether adding the rear spoiler cuts down on the exhaust smell when the rear window is down? I thought the downdraft might help?!?

Thanks,
Chris
 
I agree with the other posters -- it seems to me to be a risky proposition to have someone cut a hole in the roof. I've heard stories locally of shops cutting the hole too big so that the sunroof would not fit.

Also, since the headliners are different, where do the mechanical components go? I never could get an answer to that one when we were thinking about it.
 
Sunroof's aftermarket and OEM

I had a sunroof put in my 1969 Karmann Ghia many years ago. I never had any problems with it, period. Its a pretty easy thing for an experienced installer. Mine popped out completely or angled up, that was the state of the art at the time!
So far, no problems with my oem sunfoof which is only 4 months old! The oem roof is really nice and big and i love the moon roof feature too. Really wouldn't want the t4r w/o one as it makes a big difference especially with the rear hatch window down for ventilation.
 
sunroof/moonroof

Well...I'll be the guinea pig....

I have an appointment on Monday to have the dealer install a the sunroof.

I'll be sure to take good before and after photos, to let everyone know how it goes.

Nothing like the thrill of giving someone permission to cut a big 'ol hole in my brand new (to me) $30,000 baby!

The dealer is very reputable, though, and they put alot of roofs in.

Wish me luck!

Chris
 
Re: sunroof/moonroof

chrsbonner said:
Well...I'll be the guinea pig....

I have an appointment on Monday to have the dealer install a the sunroof.

I'll be sure to take good before and after photos, to let everyone know how it goes.

Nothing like the thrill of giving someone permission to cut a big 'ol hole in my brand new (to me) $30,000 baby!

The dealer is very reputable, though, and they put alot of roofs in.

Wish me luck!

Chris
Click to expand...
Very daring -- allowing someone to cut a hole in the roof of your $30,000 baby on a Monday!! :D
 
IMO if you want a car with a sunroof buy one with a sunroof, I just wouldnt feel comfortable letting some guy get elbow deep in my rig like that, seems like there is a lot of work involved.
 
Yeah.....what Lime02sport said! A moonroof (not sunroof in the 4th gen Runner) was mandatory for me to buy this truck. It was the reason I settled for a SR5 4wd instead of a sport edition. I could not find a sport edition in my area with the factory moonroof. Every dealer said that they could get one installed for me but I did NOT want anyone to jigsaw a hole in my 30+k roof. I've had my Runner over a year and I always either tilt or slide my roof open here in So. California. So far...so good I haven't had any problems! Good luck if you choose the aftermarket approach!
 
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