Full steel sunroof into a T25

vw nerd · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 2:05 pm Post subject: Full steel sunroof into a T25

Hi all
The things we do for a bit of fresh air.
I had this great idea of putting a factory tilt and slide sunroof into my standard steel roof twin slider caravelle.
If I knew then what I know now, it might never have happened.
But now its done I don't know how I managed without one.
The plan was to buy a roof off of a dead van, cut a hole into my bus for the sliding roof panel then just weld in all of the other necessary parts on to the inside of the roof skin.
How wrong I was.
The inner workings are nearly as big as the outer roof skin and are all far to big to be just tacked in from inside the bus.
What actually happened was that the complete donor replacement roof had to be taken back to its component parts. This involved drilling out ever spot weld down the gutters, across the windscreen and around the sunroof opening just to get the roof skin off.
With this done I then went about removing the inner cassette which is where all the working part are. This part also forms a water tight tray like a large draining board that allows any rain water which has made its way past the sliding panel seal to be collected and allow it to drain out of its four corners through tubes which are welded down the b pillars and rear quarters.
This tray has its own series of spot weld and reinforcement bows that need to be carefully removed for reuse.
One this is done and all parts taken out from the donor van roof it time to start again on your own van and remove all the relevant parts here which means another load of spot welds to remove down both gutters and across the windscreen.
I think you get the idea.
Many spot weld drill bits later and you have all the parts you need to fit a sliding steel sun roof into your van.

Here are some of the pictures I took during this work.

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The need for speed continues.
Can't you make this thing go any faster!
Tim Shettle
Ultimate engineering
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Tel/txt 07810 320 464

Alex (FTS) · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:20 pm Post subject:

I really want to fit a sun roof to my baywindow but the problem is I havent been able to find any sun roofs with similar curves the vw roof. Any one got any ideas?

Cheers

Alex
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vw nerd · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:48 am Post subject:

How about fitting an original vw bay sliding steel sunroof. They are about, if you look hard enough.
They look the same as the T25 sliding roof, but have more curve to them!
What type of rood do want and what part of the van do you want it to cover?
_________________
More T3 Parts For Sale
The need for speed continues.
Can't you make this thing go any faster!
Tim Shettle
Ultimate engineering
Bristol
Tel/txt 07810 320 464

Alex (FTS) · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 2:20 pm Post subject:

Idealy I'd like a small sun roof ubove the cab and a larger opening one, like the one you describe, in the back roof section. I've got some other ideas for glass sections in my roof-I'm just very warey about cutting holes in my perfectly good roof!

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www.faltownskateboards.com

Alex (FTS) · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 2:20 pm Post subject:

Idealy I'd like a small sun roof ubove the cab and a larger opening one, like the one you describe, in the back roof section. I've got some other ideas for glass sections in my roof-I'm just very warey about cutting holes in my perfectly good roof!

_________________
www.faltownskateboards.com