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Replacing sun roof with a fixed panel
#1

I am trying to get another inch or so of headroom and would like to replace the sun roof/hinge assembly with a fixed panel that gives me more head room. I sat in a 944 that had a fixed panel in place of the sun room that added a good 1.5" for headroom.



I have searched around but have not had any success finding one.



I currently have race seats in the car with slider brackets. The seat is lowered to the floor and angled back to provide as much as possible but i need a little more.
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#2

A lightweight fixed panel would be a good option to have. The standard sunroof panel is ridiculously heavy (I have dings all over my roof from previous owners' weak-armed attempts at removing it), and as for the Rube Goldberg-esque lifting mechanism - I'd be more than happy to rip it all out of there.
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#3

lol - bomb - just leave it out. you need room for the smoke to escape anyway, right?



sorry - couldn't help myself, and yes i'm sure that's going to bite me in the butt
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94 Midnight Metallic Blue Cab Porsche 968 w/deviating cashmere/black interior and WAY too many mods to list - thanks to eric for creating www.968forums.com



"It isn't nearly as expensive to do it right as it is to do it wrong."
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#4

Ouch, that one hurt, Flash :-)
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#5

lol - yeah - i couldn't stop myself. i needed to laugh at somebody else's nightmare so i can take my mind off of my own. 9 years, 13 systems, and about $12k later, and i'm still screwing around with exhaust.
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94 Midnight Metallic Blue Cab Porsche 968 w/deviating cashmere/black interior and WAY too many mods to list - thanks to eric for creating www.968forums.com



"It isn't nearly as expensive to do it right as it is to do it wrong."
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#6

I found one for a 944 from GT Racing. I am guessing this will not fit a 968. I might inquire if they could fabricate one for the 968. If others are interested let me know.



http://www.gt-racing.com/products-page/9...-sun-roof/
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#7

I hope Phil can work a miracle on my wiring meltdown - depends on how far the damage traveled. Looks like I'll be in the market for all or part of the wiring harness under the dash very soon.



My muffler guy asked about getting my car in for him to mess with, so my muffler project may be a go soon as well.



Is that maybe a light at the end of the tunnel? Nah, can't be...!
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#8

944 has the same roof as the 968 so it will fit. Given that the weather is not very predictable where I live I am waiting to see if Saratoga gets their act together. I know it looks '80s but if I can't trust the weather enought ot take my roof out all day so at least I can get the light back in the car with a sunroof.
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#9

Almost every time I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel it just turns out to be another train coming the other way.
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#10

[quote name='DaveN' timestamp='1358280091' post='137457']

if I can't trust the weather enought ot take my roof out all day so at least I can get the light back in the car with a sunroof.

[/quote]



Should have bought a cabriolet!
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#11

just a bit of personal experience to relate here, and keep in mind that i am a ragtop guy through and through:



i've had a few sunroofs in various cars. i have one now in the denali. i NEVER use it as only a glass panel. the sun beating down on me is just no fun. i find i have to crank up the AC a lot more. i have to wear a hat (no hair to protect me). it's noisier.



fortunately there is a sliding panel that covers the glass, and with a handful of exceptions over the 6 years we've had it, it is always closed.



having it open and letting the wind whip through is one thing. having it closed and just glass is a definite "NO".
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94 Midnight Metallic Blue Cab Porsche 968 w/deviating cashmere/black interior and WAY too many mods to list - thanks to eric for creating www.968forums.com



"It isn't nearly as expensive to do it right as it is to do it wrong."
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#12

If I can open mine it's open on all the cars I have had with a mon roof over the years. Although the time aren't that frequent, on that rare occasion it's too hot, I never close the sliding panel. I love the light. They are tinted and that still bothers you?
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#13

[quote name='gbarrier' timestamp='1358291304' post='137462']

Almost every time I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel it just turns out to be another train coming the other way.

[/quote]



The light at the end of the tunnel is not a train... It's worse. It's New Jersey!
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#14

yup - mine is dark tinted and it is still too much. i have to wear a hat, and i hate wearing hats. in the convertible, i always wear a hat. in a car with a roof, it just bugs me to have to do that. i love the sun, but not through glass.
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94 Midnight Metallic Blue Cab Porsche 968 w/deviating cashmere/black interior and WAY too many mods to list - thanks to eric for creating www.968forums.com



"It isn't nearly as expensive to do it right as it is to do it wrong."
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#15

If I had one it would definitely be tinted really dark as I don't like the sun beating down on my noggin but I would enjoy the extra bit of light. And yes Langley, if I had the room and the spare cash I would buy another car. One for summer and one for winter!
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#16

when we got the denali, i thought it was a really cool feature. in practice though, it has been totally useless. what surprised me most about it was that both the wife and i are ragtop people, and neither one of us like it. we almost never drive with the windows down in that car either though. weird.
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94 Midnight Metallic Blue Cab Porsche 968 w/deviating cashmere/black interior and WAY too many mods to list - thanks to eric for creating www.968forums.com



"It isn't nearly as expensive to do it right as it is to do it wrong."
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#17

[quote name='tbillow' timestamp='1358267693' post='137440']

I am trying to get another inch or so of headroom and would like to replace the sun roof/hinge assembly with a fixed panel that gives me more head room.

[/quote]

Sounds very similar to my setup: Recaro Speed seats mounted on sliders that are bolted to the floor. Here are a couple of suggestions that worked for me:
  • Have a machine shop fab some custom flat hinges that no longer protrude downward. I can send you pics / measurements of mine if you are interested.

  • Remove the plastic headliner from the underbelly of the sunroof panel, and paint flat black.

  • Make a custom seat cushion. Start with a 1-inch thick piece of high-density foam, and glue to a triangle of medium density foam to support your thighs. Create the triangle with a electric turkey cutter. Have a local tailor cover the finished product with fabric. Remember to create a slot for a 5/6-point harness sub-strap. Do NOT go to an auto interior shop for this, as they will want to make their normal hourly rate of $80+ an hour.


Other possibilities of which I am aware for gaining additional headroom:
  • Weld in a replacement metal panel.

  • Remove the entire roof and replace it with a non-sunroof roof.

  • Have a reputable shop cut the floor and drop the seat mounting points.

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