Your sunroof expertise, please.

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Let me start with this, I don't want to hear "buy another truck." That's not what I am asking. I am asking about sunroof install compatibility, not practicality.

I have a 99 4Runner that did not come with a sunroof. I have a buddy who just parted out a 99 Limited, and he cut off half of the roof for me. He gave me the headliner, sunroof, roof clip, motor, every single thing aside from the roof console with the switches, for absolutely nothing. Free.

Well, I look around and see a lot of people talking about cost. I am sure some of it must be for parts, so at least I have that covered. All OEM, no aftermarket crap.

I work for Mercedes-Benz in Newport Beach. We have the largest body shop facility in the United states. My friend is one of the guys. He has done sunroof installs, etc. The great thing about it is, that I just pay him what he would make for a job, rather than have to pay the dealership. Made my last bodyshop bill $500 rather than $2000.

So here's my question, since I have all of these sunroof parts. I want to swap them in. I know there are two roof panels, one for sunroof and one for without. The one I got has mounts and such for a sunroof. Is there any possible way of getting away with installing the sunroof in a non equipped vehicle without entirely swapping the panel? I see many install aftermarket sunroofs, which require no repainting of the roof. I understand that this will be costly, and I know it will not be practical, but I am not interested in buying another 4Runner, again. The clip I have definitely has some parts around the sunroof glass area that look like they can be rewelded to another roof. I am not sure if the bolts that hold the whole track assembly in are there in the non equipped model, for I haven't taken off the headliner to look yet.

If not, I guess I will have to go ahead and swap the panels. Can anyone provide me with any advice and/or instructions for this install on a 3rd gen 4Runner?

I will be keeping costs down by paying the tech directly, doing my own headliner removal and such, basically everything that isn't preparing the roof to accept a sunroof, I will do. I plan to aid during the installation process. I would like to keep costs within a $500 range, but will go more if need be.

Roof clip is on the side of the house, no pic sorry.

 

[vooduguru]

Hope you know some good welders. Consult with a body shop. They should be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[the great him]

your biggest issue will be the track, and like you said you will need to pull the headliner to see if you have the mounting set up for a sunroof, if so your job will be a lot easier. this is very do-able. dont forget you will need to run drain tubing down from all corners of the sunroof to let water out.

yes in most cases it would just be easier to buy a different truck with the sunroof already in it, but i think most of us on here know how much work, blood, sweat, and tears you have put into your rig, but on the flip side, you could get a v6 with 4wd and a sunroof lol just saying

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

your biggest issue will be the track, and like you said you will need to pull the headliner to see if you have the mounting set up for a sunroof, if so your job will be a lot easier. this is very do-able. dont forget you will need to run drain tubing down from all corners of the sunroof to let water out.

yes in most cases it would just be easier to buy a different truck with the sunroof already in it, but i think most of us on here know how much work, blood, sweat, and tears you have put into your rig, but on the flip side, you could get a v6 with 4wd and a sunroof lol just saying

Yes, anyone can just buy a truck, but not everyone can build a truck. I'm going for the latter. Makes for a better story, a more sentimental finished product, and a reputation.

I just took a look. The clip I have shows that the actual beams above the doors should have the track mounting holes. My only thing I'd have to change is the panel above, which is spot welded on. It literally looks bolt on afterwards, this could be easier than I thought! The design of the roof allows leaking into the track but then straight out of the drainage pipes.

I'm gonna go down to work tomorrow and ask my friend if he can cut out the actual sunroof portion in the clip and just cut and swap into my current roof. It will require paint work but oh well. I'm ready.

One day, I will see a turbo'd 3RZ 4X4 with a sunroof sitting in my driveway. It will take a lot of time, patience, and money, but thats the price of love

 

[attitudeofgratitud]

Have him make a nice clean cut on your roof. So then I can buy it from you and weld mine shut. I can't believe you found and know a body man who would be willing to do this. I wish mine would not have come with one so bad! Increasing the chances for rattles ,leaks and noise just doesn't seem like a good mod. But, it's yours!! So have at it

 

[the great him]

Have him make a nice clean cut on your roof. So then I can buy it from you and weld mine shut. I can't believe you found and know a body man who would be willing to do this. I wish mine would not have come with one so bad! Increasing the chances for rattles ,leaks and noise just doesn't seem like a good mod. But, it's yours!! So have at it

if dont right it wont leak, and the rattles well again if done right...

 

[the great him]

COB- are you gonna go Pre-Runner with your 4runner and do the long travel front? -kinda like a total chaos setup?

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Have him make a nice clean cut on your roof. So then I can buy it from you and weld mine shut. I can't believe you found and know a body man who would be willing to do this. I wish mine would not have come with one so bad! Increasing the chances for rattles ,leaks and noise just doesn't seem like a good mod. But, it's yours!! So have at it

I just love sunroofs. I hate not having one. I drove driffter33's 4Runner one day and really loved the amount of light just having it brings into the interior. It's like a different car. I usually keep it in the up position. The extra piece that comes out is yours, my friend. Just know that it may not happen for a little while, not until I can go through with my coil swap. A Coworker of mine offered me $500 for my coils and shocks. I will put that towards the swap.

if dont right it wont leak, and the rattles well again if done right...

Let's hope it's done right, then! haha. It appears the panel just needs to be swapped, everything is just as factory after that.

COB- are you gonna go Pre-Runner with your 4runner and do the long travel front? -kinda like a total chaos setup?

I don't know yet. I have thought about it, but I guess right now I am unsure.

 

[attitudeofgratitud]

if dont right it wont leak, and the rattles well again if done right...

Yeah...... I wish!!! Just cleared the drains on 2 today, a 97 and a 99. And replaced the whole assembly on a 04 for a rattle per a TSB. They're great!!!

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Went down to the shop today. The plan is, a customs shop here is going to do the metal work for me, which means cutting the roof and clip and swapping. Then, they'll pass it on to my friend who will smooth out the roof and prepare it for paint, where I'll take it to my painter who will match it.

Good stuff. The bill for the metal work will be $500. The rest will probably equal about the same, so I'm going to save at least $1,000 before beginning my project. The flares sold for $260, my old 3.91 diff for $100, and my current shocks and coils (after I find replacements) will give me $500 from a buddy. Since the new front shocks and springs will be about $400, the $100 is left. Gives me $460 there, plus saving and such... it might take a while but it will be cool.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Yeah...... I wish!!! Just cleared the drains on 2 today, a 97 and a 99. And replaced the whole assembly on a 04 for a rattle per a TSB. They're great!!!

Say what?

 

[AlpineHigh]

Did you ever swap the sunroof? And did your SR5 come with the holes for the mounting hardware?
Considering doing this with my own truck, also a 99, Thanks a lot!

 

[T4R2014]

You really are better off buying one of the majority of used 4Runners with a sunroof than to hack up a quite desirable non-sunroof 4Runner.

 

[AlpineHigh]

It’s kinda like OP said, buying another 4Runner is not an option. I’m the only owner and I’ve put over 25 grand in aftermarket parts in it. I have no desire to buy another runner, at the same time I’ve always hated that it has no sunroof, ruins the whole experience for me personally as it’s a summer vehicle for me.

 

[AlpineHigh]

I just want to know if his roof had the holes for the mounting hardware. Because obviously I’m not gonna glue one in that’s just stupid.

But if the holes are there I don’t mind dropping a few grand to have it properly installed.

 

[T4R2014]

It’s kinda like OP said, buying another 4Runner is not an option. I’m the only owner and I’ve put over 25 grand in aftermarket parts in it. I have no desire to buy another runner, at the same time I’ve always hated that it has no sunroof, ruins the whole experience for me personally as it’s a summer vehicle for me.

Wow. Definitely regretting not checking that box when you bought it new. You will need to get a new roof skin. I feel like a properly done conversion could hit 10 grand.