100 Posted May 8, 2003 Share Posted May 8, 2003 I have been looking for a clean 240z and finally found one but it has a sunroof which I don't care for at all. This is to be a autox/track car and really want a hardtop. So how hard is it to convert a sunroof car to a hardtop car the right way? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted May 8, 2003 Share Posted May 8, 2003 The best way, and maybe the hardest way also is to get a doner car and cut off it's roof. Then weld in some braces in your car from quarter panel to quarter panel to help hold the car together, then weld in the new roof along factory seams. You might think, "I'll just weld in a patch panel" but you will never get the contour right, and the metal up there is thin and might not weldup well, you will probably get a lot of burn through. Also if you don't get the body work right it will look wavy at best. Don't forget these cars are low, and the roof is the first thing you see when you walk up to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denny411 Posted May 8, 2003 Share Posted May 8, 2003 I have a section of s30 roof that i cut from a parts car just for this purpose. It would still require an accomplished bodyman to install it, but it does have th proper contour. I don`t even have a car with a sunroof, but I couldn`t see just scrapping it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100 Posted May 8, 2003 Author Share Posted May 8, 2003 I don't own a z yet but from looking at them is the roof and both quarter panels all one piece? Where would you attach the roof skin in the back so no seems would be seen? I don't know maybe I'll just keep looking until I find a hardtop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMS Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 Maybe I'm overthinking this, but why couldn't you just cut the top roof skin off of a donor car, bond it on using your favorite method, and then use filler to smooth the seam? I'm thinking that you could apply the new roofskin the same way you would apply a hood scoop. Don't cut off the old roof, just put a second skin over the existing one, patching the sunroof hole and reinforcing the existing roof at the same time. Who would notice that the roof is 1.5mm taller than stock? Am I completely crazy for thinking this would work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 Am I completely crazy for thinking this would work? Dude, you post on this board! Yes, you are crazy lol Seriously, Scott, I have been afflicted with a nasty leaking moonroof from a previous owner and I have given a ton of thought to this topic. What you suggested MIGHT work for him if, in fact, you could keep the sheetmetal from getting all bendy--and apparently, this is very difficult to do once you cut it from a donor car. The majority of bodyshop advice I have been given is to cut the old roof off at the pillars and weld in a whole 'new' roof from a good donor car. That is a best, least messy way of handling the project. Is this cheap? No, but neither is having to weld in new floors every few years because the leaks cause water damage to the metal... The key would be to fine the lead that seals the welded joints between the roof pillars and the body--heat the lead, melt it off, make the cuts from there---voila, just like factory 8) I will have this done eventually, and I can't wait for that day to arrive!!! Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest livewire23 Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 Maybe I'm overthinking this, but why couldn't you just cut the top roof skin off of a donor car, bond it on using your favorite method, and then use filler to smooth the seam? I'm thinking that you could apply the new roofskin the same way you would apply a hood scoop. why not just do it the ricer way and attach a hood scoop to your roof? Think about the cooling effect it would have, and plus your car would look like a mclaren. Not to mention its probably more aerodynamic than rolling down a window. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMS Posted May 10, 2003 Share Posted May 10, 2003 why not just do it the ricer way and attach a hood scoop to your roof? . Oooh! Oooh! What HE said! Why didn't I think of that??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tt350 Posted May 11, 2003 Share Posted May 11, 2003 I have a moon roof on mine, and I wanted to put a scoop (i have never seen a scooped roof ricer, so I think its ok to do it) Yesterday I was driving it aournd town, and when I hit about 90 mph, the freakin thing flew off and smashed on the side of the road Scared the hell out of me and my brother, all of a sudden, WHOOOOOOOORIIIIIIIIIIP! So now, i was considering a roof scoop. You know, like the rally cars, they use it to keep the cabin cool. It sure helps if you dont have an A/C, and you dont wanna mess up your hair from the wind comin in from a window Does anyone sell those, just want to know. Im selling the car I have, so the new one i get might not have it. Just hopin I find a really good one for cheap... Dreams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleek Z Posted May 20, 2003 Share Posted May 20, 2003 FWiW, 1. I often salvage S30 roofs for resale, when they are in good condition. I cut them off as low on windsheild posts and rear quater joints as possible to aide a body man replacing one. I prefer to not ship these, but if a buyer will arrange pickup and shipping through a trucking company, I'll sell one to a non local buyer. 2. I have several older one and 2 piece sunroofs pulled from S30 bodies that have good glass, plastic and frames and hardware in case anyone wants to repair or replace bad one you may have on your car. Bit of a long shot whether I would have exact one you would need but you can inquire to me at parts@zparts.com 3. Speaking of sunroofs and unique roof mods, I have a customer with a 78 280Z that appears to have a factory installed, manually retractable metal sun roof that retracts downward and into a cavity in interior roof area that no one can tell me the history of. The entire roof area has factory looking, welded in, seamless tracks that look very similar to that on one of my former Jaguar XJ6 sedans! I have heard rumors of Nissan actually producing a few of these factory sun roofs, but never uncovered solid proof. Anyone know for sure? Chow for now, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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