Body/Trim: 140: sunroof install

[Kevin_L]

Hi - I've decided it's time to get my 1970 144 going - it's been off road for a number of years.....

Not a priority job, but I'd like to fit a sunroof at some point in time

So.......what's a 'period' roof? A Webasto style? And is it possible? I don't even know if sunroofs were offered as a factory fit.

Any comments or suggestions will be gratefully received :-)


Kevin

[eternal optimist]

Unless you want to swap the roof skin and fit a factory sliding steel sunroof from another car, my first reaction would be don't do it - but it's your car. If you don't want to do the roof swap (not as horrible as it seems) then the only other period correct sunroof is a Webasto folding fabric type.

If you fit a glass pop up hatch, then burning in hell is probably too good for you.

[Kevin_L]

thanks

1. roof skin swap - NO
2. burning in hell - NO
3. webasto - YES!!

so.....did these models ever have webasto from the factory? I'd assume not? Is there anything in the 'way' of such fitment? eg, any strengthening cross members across the roof skin (under the headlining) which might get in the way and more to the point shouldn't be cut in to!!

[eternal optimist]

Originally Posted by Kevin_L

thanks

1. roof skin swap - NO
2. burning in hell - NO
3. webasto - YES!!

so.....did these models ever have webasto from the factory? I'd assume not? Is there anything in the 'way' of such fitment? eg, any strengthening cross members across the roof skin (under the headlining) which might get in the way and more to the point shouldn't be cut in to!!

Was looking for a smiley emoticon to put next to the 'burn in hell' comment but couldn't find one!

I don't know if they ever came that way from the factory, but Webasto's were a popular thing in the late 60's/70's. It's likely there is a cross member between the two B pillars. This would be cut and the loss of strength would be compensated by the steel frame that gets riveted (and bonded these days) to the perimeter of the hole cut in the roof. I remember looking at an article in an old edition of Car Mechanics where the editor had one fitted to his 1600E which did the same. Have a search online to see what you can find.

I have seen someone fit a modern MINI glass sliding sunroof in a VW - it looked superb, but it would be a lot easier to do a roof swap! That's just a matter of drilling out spot welds along the gutter and around the front and rear window frames.

[Triple-S]

As people say the Volvo 164 shares its structure with the 140 range behind the windscreen, could that be a direction to research? They were an option on 164s for certain, but I don't know about 140s, however I have a dislike for Webasto's as they are prone to letting the damp in, also they can 'whistle' when driving hard. I hasten to add I'm not going to offer that from my 164 show-car (!), but I have a solid metal one from a scrapped 164 if you can get framing info from elsewhere.
However, from remembering the troubles we had in installing one decades ago it wasn't easy!

Paul

[classicswede]

I hate rainholes myself. They are nice in summer but other than those short 2 weeks the noise and water dripping on your head do spoil a car.

There have been many cars that I have not bothered to buy purely because of the rain hole. Webasto being the very worst case.

The factory rainhole is the steel Golde sunroof. They are not bad as far as rain holes go. The glass aftermarket ones would normally be ok for a short time before starting to leak.

[Pigeon]

Looking at the factory-fitted chimney in my 164, the rear edge of the hole is a few inches behind the B-pillars, so I'd think there can't be any structural crossmembers in the way at that point.

It is probably possible to check, anyway, by pushing up on the headlining and feeling for any bumps behind it.

(Personally, I'd rather not have a chimney. I've never dared to open it in case I can never get it to seal again afterwards...)

[Triple-S]

Ditto pigeon - in all the cars I've had I've NEVER wanted to open a sunroof. If on the rare occasions the weather is kind I either borrow my sons Mazda MX and take the cloth top off, or get the motorbike out......

P

[Kevin_L]

interesting responses for which I thank you

ps when I say 'webasto' I'm using it as a generic sunroof of that type

A glass opening slider sounds good - I'm having one of those when I get my
XC60 or V90!!

I personally love sun roofs (isn't Volvo terminology 'moon roof') - I have a V70 with one, and so did my last one, and the ones before that! still cant beat AC though

Back to the matter in hand - i'll try to look at the strengthening but agree the roof opening bars would compensate

No to steel slider and aftermarket glass panels

I just need now to find a 'webasto' style (2nd hand) that doesn't cost a fortune!! fitment will be done by me :-)

[classicswede]

There is a support beam across the B pillar..
On sunroof cars the strength comes from the sunroof framework.