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Thread: Removing Sunroof

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Posts
    6

    Default Removing Sunroof

    Has anyone tried removing the sunroof on their 85-92 Jetta/Golf? I removed the headliner from my '90 and noticed that the sheet metal that holds the sunroof & rails is either glued or tack welded to the normal sheet metal roof. That would be nice to remove those few pounds from up there. TIA

    ------------------
    '92 GLI Daily Driver
    '90 Coupe IT(?)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Posts
    169

    Default

    Your best bet is to find a donor roof from a non sunroof model. Cut and weld.

    Steve

    ------------------
    87 ITB Scirocco
    www.geocities.com/highspeedconnectionracing

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Posts
    6

    Default

    I agree 100%, but it was hard enough for me to find the Jetta Coupe as it was. They aren't readily available up here in CT, so finding a non-sunroof one would've been even more difficult.

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    '92 GLI Daily Driver
    '90 Coupe IT(?)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Posts
    1,181

    Default

    John,
    If you're not keen on welding on a new roof we've done both our Golfs by cutting away the track inside and tackwelding sunroof to the roof. Then packing it with a hard sealant.






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    Bill Sulouff - Bildon Motorsport Volkswagen Racing Equipment

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Posts
    6

    Default

    Based on your picture, it looks as though you did exactly what I was considering. Do you happen to have a picture of the finished product? I understand how to go about cutting it down, but how to finish off the jagged and rough surface appears to be more difficult.

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    '92 GLI Daily Driver
    '90 Coupe IT(?)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Omaha, NE
    Posts
    38

    Default

    When you part these cars out you learn a lot about the weight of the sunroof cars roof compared to non sunroof cars.The bone model golf gl is plentiful and cheap. If you are building a race car weight up high is bad. If you have the time look for a non sunroof model, try police impound auctions.
    My last purchase was a golf gti. $60.00 with clean title. I knocked it in the head and had a ball.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    Ambler, PA (near Philadelphia)
    Posts
    239

    Default

    I'm facing the same situation with my Rabbit. I'm going to cut away the sunroof tray, then try to find a junked non-sunroof Rabbit, cut out the roof just a little bit bigger than the sunroof opening, rivet or bolt it in like what Bildon did, then grind away the edges and then use some JBWeld, sand it and then paint it.

    I've also heard bad results by trying to use a random piece of sheet metal for the cover, b/c of the curvature that part of the roof has, it's hard to make it all match up well. Also, by trying to weld it shut, heat will distort the panel and make it harder to fit it well.

    PJ

    ------------------
    83 Rabbit GTI - future ITB

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Posts
    6

    Default

    I already have a complete roof that I saved from my non sunroof GTI, unfortunately it wont fit on the 2 door Jetta (rear window vs. hatch). I will however cut out the sheet metal that I need to cover the sunroof hole.

    ------------------
    '92 GLI Daily Driver
    '90 Coupe IT(?)

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