Real time help 06/29/08

[medicbob]

I am logging in for my friend MedicBob, Bob is on his way to Alaska, left Phx. AZ yesterday. He is currently 2 hrs from Salt Lake City at 10am and will be logging in when he finds a wi-fi connection.

He has broken the glass in his sun roof on his 1996 FZJ80 and looking for a temporary repair or any options he may have. Whether he needs to go to an authorized dealer or are there any aftermarket replacements.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. You can reach Bob @ 623-764-5197

Thanks

[Chevinater77]

what is the problem, it broke like it wont open, wont close? fell off the track? please explain.

[Chevinater77]

probably not very many dealers open today.

[medicbob]

Thanks for your response, this is still Bob's friend. Somehow he broke the glass in the sun roof and has approx. 1ft diameter hole. He tried duct tape and said the hole is just getting biggger. He is currently at a home depot trying to get a piece of plexiglass as a tempory fix.

He is still looking for ideas though

Thx

[35inchoverdrive]

If I where on the road, on a Sunday, I would skip the 'replacement glass' idea, and focus on waterproofing. I would probably try to trim something(waterproof) to fit into the sunroof space, and then put some duct tape around the edges to seal it to the roof of the vehicle. I can asure you, it would be gettofabulous, and it would keep out the wind and the rain. Something as ugly(and sturdy) as a piece of wood trimmed to fit, and covered in a piece of tarp or strong plastic sheeting would probably do the job. If it's his lucky day, an automotive or commercial glass shop might be open today, but I like I said before, I wouldn't count on replacing the glass, but I would focus on plugging the hole. Good luck.

Edit: An oversize piece of plexi taped down to the roof and sealed around the edges would probably work just fine. It sounds like your friend is on the right track.

[grando]

What about using a strong fixative and gluing the plexiglass to the sunroof glass and sealing with a good silicone sealant? Once sealed he could also work some of the sealant from the bottom side over the areas that are exposed and seal onto the plexi above it. Just some ideas. Bummer. Hope the rest of the trip is less eventful. That sounds like a fun drive.

Grand

[Box Rocket]

Where is "two hours from Salt Lake City"? Little better idea of location might be good for any locals that could lend a hand.

[BlueHZT60]

I just spoke with MedicBob (Sunday afternoon). It's still broken. Duct tape is not really working. Something flew off a passing semi truck, BANG and the next thing was a shattered sun roof. Plexi-glass and silicone is his next try. They will be in Idaho Falls Sunday night. Lincoln, MT. Monday and heading toward Calgary after that. He is going to try and source new glass in Calgary and get it fixed.

He could use some help in ID Falls, or Lincoln, MT, or Calgary if it isn't secured by the time he gets there.

[Beowulf]

I am pretty sure the glass is not sourced separately and your friend will have to buy the complete assembly if he goes through a Toyota dealer. The assembly is spendy but he should be able to pick one up at a breaker if he can stay closer to civilization. Idaho, Montana, and Calgary are not close to civilization so maybe he can change his route to give someone a better chance of locating a used one somewhere along the way.

-B-

[landtank]

i just went on car-part.com and typed in a Idaho zip code and there are a bunch available for as cheap as 125.00.

Tell him to get to a WiFi point and find a source that is a day away but along the way. It should be pulled for when he arrives.

It will probably take less time repairing this right then all these attempts at band aiding it.

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by landtank

It will probably take less time repairing this right then all these attempts at band aiding it.

I did a 'Mud search and the glass with gasket material is together. He won't need the complete moonroof assembly and if he tries to fit a non-OEM piece of glass then he won't be able to get the sealing gaskets because they come with the glass.

-B-

[landtank]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

I did a 'Mud search and the glass with gasket material is together. He won't need the complete moonroof assembly and if he tries to fit a non-OEM piece of glass then he won't be able to get the sealing gaskets because they come with the glass.

-B-

car-part.com is an online salvage yard directory and the part would be an OEM glass and probably come with more bits and pieces than a new one.

[informationjunky]

might pm IH8MUD™ Forums if he doesn't have it he may know of one in the area

http://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/1...-40-items.html

[MTJohn]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

Idaho, Montana, and Calgary are not close to civilization so maybe he can change his route to give someone a better chance of locating a used one somewhere along the way.

-B-

And we like it that way!!!

On his trip between Idaho Falls and Lincoln, he could detour through Victor Montana (would be a lovely drive) I found a sun roof there on car-part.com

Parts Unlimited USA-MT(Victor) E-mail 1-800-642-3405 1995
Sun Roof Includes T-Top
Toyota Land Cruiser

$200

He will be within 20 miles of me (Great Falls MT) on the way from Lincoln to Calgary if he wants to use any tools. We do have several glass shops and a Toyota dealership here, despite our distance from civilization. If he stays in Missoula instead of Lincoln, there would be lots of potential repair places. Not sure why he wants to spend the night in Lincoln - the Unabomber cabin isn't even there anymore.

[medicbob]

ok, just checked into a hotel in idaho falls. checking all the good info right now..

[medicbob]

just did the car parts search. I didn't get any results. if you have the link that would be great. I have a friend that lives near Lincoln I was going to visit on my way up. That might change now. 623 764-5197 verizon

[medicbob]

I will call the outfit in victor tomorrow morning

[medicbob]

Originally Posted by MTJohn

And we like it that way!!!

On his trip between Idaho Falls and Lincoln, he could detour through Victor Montana (would be a lovely drive) I found a sun roof there on car-part.com

Parts Unlimited USA-MT(Victor) E-mail 1-800-642-3405 1995
Sun Roof Includes T-Top
Toyota Land Cruiser

$200

He will be within 20 miles of me (Great Falls MT) on the way from Lincoln to Calgary if he wants to use any tools. We do have several glass shops and a Toyota dealership here, despite our distance from civilization. If he stays in Missoula instead of Lincoln, there would be lots of potential repair places. Not sure why he wants to spend the night in Lincoln - the Unabomber cabin isn't even there anymore.

pm sent

[medicbob]

Originally Posted by medicbob

just did the car parts search. I didn't get any results. if you have the link that would be great. I have a friend that lives near Lincoln I was going to visit on my way up. That might change now. 623 764-5197 verizon

found the part on the search this time

[medicbob]

Originally Posted by BlueHZT60

I just spoke with MedicBob (Sunday afternoon). It's still broken. Duct tape is not really working. Something flew off a passing semi truck, BANG and the next thing was a shattered sun roof. Plexi-glass and silicone is his next try. They will be in Idaho Falls Sunday night. Lincoln, MT. Monday and heading toward Calgary after that. He is going to try and source new glass in Calgary and get it fixed.

He could use some help in ID Falls, or Lincoln, MT, or Calgary if it isn't secured by the time he gets there.

Thanks for the moral support. I got a caulking gun and silicone on standby

[medicbob]

going to call Farmers Ins and check my glass coverage..

[medicbob]

Signing off for the night. Thanks for the help. I think I have a plan..

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by landtank

car-part.com is an online salvage yard directory and the part would be an OEM glass and probably come with more bits and pieces than a new one.

I wasn't disagreeing with you Rick.... I was pointing out that an OEM glass, new or used, would be a better solution than trying to "fit" a piece of glass or plexiglass or wood or anything else.

-B-

[IdahoDoug]

I was in Spaulding Auto Parts in Spokane, WA a couple months ago and they had a wrecked 80 with intact moonroof. They're in the 509 area code. Definitely check with insurance as they may authorize an OEM part in a destination city and installation so you may be messing around with this and not really have to undertake the planning alone. Deductibles may be waived in this situation as well.

DougM

[medicbob]

Follow up to all. Can not tell you how helpful everyone has been. Currently on dial up in Lincoln, Mt visiting a friend. Got the sunroof assembly in Victor, MT. 200.00 great shape. Parts unlimited where I got the part also installed it for 180.00. I feel very lucky and very pleased with the price. On to ACT 2008 tomorrow.

[tblume]

bravo to y'all, goes to show what a small friendly world we really live in.

[knorrena]

Good thing he got it fixed before he got to Canada - there are slim to no parts for cruisers up here. Even though on car-parts.com there are a few hits they never panned out for me.

Karl

[alia176]

Bob can source a glass from Toyota or Lexus separately for the sunroof. The cost, however, is somewhere north of $700. If he has "glass buy back" coverage through his insurance, then all he has to do is pay the $100 deductible.