Webasto sunroof in a hard top?

[BJEC69]

Does anyone think a Webasto sunroof in a FJ40 is possible? Or a bad idea?

 

[mrboatman]

Anything is possible. Thats not for me, sunroof and a FJ40 don't go together.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Bad idea in my opinion.

 

[bikersmurf]

I've hated every sunroof I've ever had in a 40 roof. The fiberglass roof on a 40 is too flexible with a big hole cut in it. Every tie I resealing it the roof would flex and the seal would leak. Don't do it.

 

[Green Bean]

I get the temptation, but please don't do it. You really don't want to be that P.O.

 

[Subterranean Nik]

Agreed, cool idea and then you do it and regret it. I some now acquired a few roofs and couldn’t even give away the one with a sunroof… ended up being used for a “stretch 40 project”

Good luck either way! End of the day, it’s your 40!

Nik

 

[sogncab]

I refer to the heathen that hacked a sunroof into my roof as a war criminal....

I don't think there's any simple way to do it to the flimsy factory roof and not have a leaky flexible roof. You could probably glass in some structure to cure some of that. I don't know if you could ever get it to look right either.

Repairing that hole is tough to get right. I didn't even bother trying on mine, I sourced a replacement from Classic Cruisers. Cheaper and made more sense than trying to repair old fibreglass. I think the roof from Classic Cruisers is a little thicker and resins have come a long way in 45 years.

It'd be nice if the roof and sides were a few minute job to remove rather than the raging pain it is.

 

[BJEC69]

I get the temptation, but please don't do it. You really don't want to be that P.O.

LOL! That’s funny ! Agreed!

 

[BJEC69]

LOL! That’s funny ! Agreed!

LOL! That’s funny ! Agreed!

I appreciate the replies…..I shall cross that off the list. Thanks

 

[65swb45]

Brendan, if it’s light you’re looking to try and add topside, see if Tim Simpkins at LCS in Oregon is still able to make the reproduction roofs with the rover-esque side ovals.

 

[Living in the Past]

What I noticed is to get an opening 24.5" front to back you need to cut a 44.5" hole. That's a pretty good chunk of fiberglass your taking out.

Doesn't seem like that many years ago the FJ40 tops have little value. In the nineties I picked up a couple of rust free hard tops with ambulance doors for $200 apiece. Jeep tops were selling for a grand. At that time wouldn't have thought twice about cutting a hole in a top. Just pick one up at wrecking to do it to. Don't like just put the original back on.

 

[ryanwk628]

I've seen ones with cut roofs pop up recently. I think the one I saw had a small pop up moon roof, not full retractable. Another had a camper style vent. Keep an eye out for one of those, you'll probably get it cheap and can always go back to your original if you don't like the results.

 

[BJEC69]

Brendan, if it’s light you’re looking to try and add topside, see if Tim Simpkins at LCS in Oregon is still able to make the reproduction roofs with the rover-esque side ovals.

Thanks Mark!!! I prefer topless, be it’s hard to keep the dog in……was thinking I’d get the best of both worlds…..but

 

[BJEC69]

What I noticed is to get an opening 24.5" front to back you need to cut a 44.5" hole. That's a pretty good chunk of fiberglass your taking out.

Doesn't seem like that many years ago the FJ40 tops have little value. In the nineties I picked up a couple of rust free hard tops with ambulance doors for $200 apiece. Jeep tops were selling for a grand. At that time wouldn't have thought twice about cutting a hole in a top. Just pick one up at wrecking to do it to. Don't like just put the original back on.

My 7/69 FJ40 has the original F, and with it the original starter "issues" - it randomly will just "click" but not engage. It will always engage eventually - or at least, has always done so far - but I'd like a better answer.

I have had the starter out and rebuilt it, polished the contacts, all that. No noticeable improvement, ever.

I have this memory that the "hot fix" is to install the starter from a 2F engine - that is, from a "1980 fj 60". Is that still the received wisdom/best plan? Is that a direct drive starter? Not really interested in messing with the wiring for a gear reduction starter, since it doesn't sound like the gear reduction isn't always an improvement in the cold.

I'm going to be doing a bunch of little "honeydew" projects on the truck over the next month, and this is on the list of things that I'd like to address.

Thanks!

 

[BJEC69]

Thanks, wanted to restore the hard top, and thought it may work. I’m always the dumbass who wants something that’s never been done….

 

[secretsquirrel]

I have one with a hole in it that i wish wasn’t there. Second on the don’t be that PO