Big hole in roof

[JP240z]

Just come back from the custom sunroof place,

found out that they don't have a sunroof big enough to fill the whole my previous owner cut in the roof of my zed. Just wondering what ideas everyone has on filling it in. I'm not keen on a sunroof, but the biggest problem with welding more roof on is my fresh paint job. Does anyone knoe of a place that would do this repair and any approximate costs.

Will be interseted to hear everybody's thoughts.

Cheers,

Jack.

[Toecutter]

I still think the sliding canvas roof makes the best type of sunroof for the Z and it might be your only option now. The link below is for a VW in the same style. Sorry I could'nt find a pic with a Z. I have seen a green car with a black canvas roof in this style. Looked good. Not sure who makes them but shop around.

 

http://www2.cip1.com/PhotoGallery.asp?ProductCode=T22%2D1112%2D30&PhotoNumber=2#largerphoto

[PZG302]

Jack,

I've got the same problem with my Charger I'm restoring. My best bet would be to go to a specialist car restorer, not a panel shop, as most panel shops are only doing remove/replace for smash work. True panel beating is becoming a dying art. And remember, with panel work you do really get what you pay for!!!

 

I found a mob up here in Brisbane to fix it properly and I'm looking at $1500 and about a week's work to get it done. They will be making up a new panel from scratch so it will be rolled both ways for the compund curve of the roof and then welded in with a rebate that will just need a light skim of bog to smooth out. I would probably add about another $1000 for a respray of the roof as well to cover everything.

 

The paint work I'm not worried about as they will also be taking the body back to bare metal by blasting and stripping so they can quote for the rest of the body.

 

Matt

[zedrally]

Might be time to think about cutting the roof off and making it into a convertable!

[620Z]

Jack,

I have just had my roof welded in and it came out perfect. If you are in Melbourne I can put you onto one of the best Panel shops to do the perfect job. Check out my V8 260Z shots just posted up on the site. You might be able to see the roof in them.

Othersie I can send you some better shots. But I can tell you from getting mine filled in a months ago it can be done to the standard that no one would no unless you told them. Probably cost $700-$900- to be done. My cost was all inclusive of the full respray plus some extra bits.

Cheers

[Azon]

Jack' date='

I have just had my roof welded in and it came out perfect. If you are in Melbourne I can put you onto one of the best Panel shops to do the perfect job. Check out my V8 260Z shots just posted up on the site. You might be able to see the roof in them.

Othersie I can send you some better shots. But I can tell you from getting mine filled in a months ago it can be done to the standard that no one would no unless you told them. Probably cost $700-$900- to be done. My cost was all inclusive of the full respray plus some extra bits.

Cheers[/quote']

 

Could you please tell us the name of the panel shop as I am planninga to get a respray very soon and still looking where to go to get one?

[JP240z]

Just quoted $1500 from ZShop to fill in and respray.

They were gonna get another roof off a 240 and fit that.

Would be very interested to find the name of that panel beater that filled it in for $700.

Thanks for your replies.

Jack.

[620Z]

Jack,

The name of the Panel Beater is Ted Naylor Body Works in Ringwood (Easter Suburbs) their phone number is (03) 9879-2179. My car is still in there finishing some other stuff off. I will be in there this Saturday around 10.30 if you want to see the great job they did filling in my sun roof. Remember my cost was an estimate only and didn't include painting it. I brought a roof for $75- and they cut out the plate, recessed the roof, plonked it on and welded it in. I can tell you know one could pick it.

It comes down to quality and dollars. In my experiance for a major job that can make or break your pride and joy don't cut corners and these guys can paint. He has his own booth etc.

Cheers

[lambs]

Remember that Craig's 260Z is a 2+2 and the cost of a roof panel from a 240Z or 260Z coupe will be significantly more expensive to obtain.

[zr240]

good point lambs.

 

Roofs for 2 seaters can go for around $400 so I doubt they would fit it for another 300.

 

Ash

[620Z]

Yeah I agree guys. I got the roof cheap from Zworx. He just cut it off at the pillars so the option to weld in the whole roof was there. Would have been a big job, but they decided since the original roof was in good condition they might as well just weld in the plate.

Remember the $700- $900- was a guide only and did not include the cost of my roof. No harm in getting them to look at it and give you a quote but that's up to you. Filling in a roof is a big deal and yeah more expensive for a 240Z not to mention your whole is bigger than the average "sunroof". So it might be easier to weld in a new roof at the pillars. But thats a big job I would think. If only we thought of these things before we brought the cars. Ha. Good luck.

[RBZ 260]

Hi,

 

i had/got same prob as u guys. my 260z 2+2 had a glass pop roof which was leaking and previous owner siliconed it shut. it looked ugly.

im not a big fan generaly for any of those aftermarket sunroof they just look wrong. but as for factory fitted ones (ON OTHER CARS NOT 240/260z they never had factory sunroofs. ie Generaly speaking of sunroofs) well i dont realy mind them.

 

i also preffer metal sunroofs like on older cars.

 

so instead of removing and replacing the roof i installed a metal electric sunroof from a 84 celica. check my pics in the gallery but can send pics if needed.

 

but i also have a 240z with a sunroof as well. this one is in good condition and looks like factory fit expecialy on the inside with plastic moulding finishing it off. but i do preffer no sunroof on it. i still believe i can weld the hole just going to use the roof of the spare 260 parts car like Craig did.

 

If u do it right u wouldnt know the difference. and the price hes given is about right. for weld and respray.

 

but u have to specify u dont want 2cm of bog on it to fill in crapy welding job and heat deformation. i used heatsinks to take the heat away from the panel. ie big alloy tube.reduces panel warping.but also takes time to do it as u have to wait for panel to cool off.

 

but i em thinking about using 87 celica sunroof as they are lot smaller in size than 84 and "may" fit the 240z. havent done any measurements yet.

 

but as i want my 240z close to original spec and if modified closer to the era of the car instead of modernising it ill be most probably welding it.

[zedrally]

Hi' date='

 

snip

 

. but as for factory fitted ones well i dont realy mind them.

 

[/quote']

 

Just to nip any mis-information before it becomes fact.

 

There was no factory sunroof.

 

Not here, not in the US nor in Japan, never period.

 

Any sunroof you see in a 240-260-280 is after market.

[RBZ 260]

Oh sorry for "some" people that may think that 240-260 came with sunroofs from factory. They never did. i intended to say Factory Installed sunroofs ON OTHER CARS that came with sunroofs from factory.

 

I though people by now know that 240-260 never came with one from nissan/datsun and that i was refering in general factory sunroofs are lot better than aftermarket.

 

I hope i made it bit clearer and i also edited the original post to stop confusion.

 

so sorry again

[Toecutter]

http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/ragtopsunroofs.html

 

More pics of rag tops. If you do end up deciding re-install the sunroof the old style rag tops look good on the Z. Sort of got that period correct feel to it!

[JP240z]

Around my area, vinyl roofs are definately out of the question, also I got quoted by custom sunroofs in footscray $1700 for a standard mid range vinyl sunroof. Decided to book it in at Zworx, would be great to have a front spoiler to be painted while they're respraying the roof. Would be interested to see what Sulio's looks like when it's fitted.

[Toecutter]

$1700 for a vynil sunroof! thats a rip off hey!

Yer new front spoiler is fitted but my Canon digi cam is in for repair again! I'm extremly happy with the spoiler. It sits really nicely and flex's a bit when pushed in. I sprayed it satin black and I think I'll keep it that colour looks pretty cool. Try and get some pics soon.

[pauly_adams]

this may sound stupid but did u consider getting a peice of tinted perspecks put in where the holes at

[JP240z]

No I didn't think of that idea before, kind of glad that I'm gonna get the roof filled in, now there's nothing non-standard really.

I really need to get a big front spoiler as my car is dumped at the back and sits up at the front. I will definately spray it the same colour as the body, does the spoiler from allZparts have all the appropriate mounts, and can the front bumper be retained Sulio?

Cheers

JP

[Toecutter]

It's moulded to fit, you just need get it sitting nicely on the car and mark up the bolt holes and drill them through. Very easy, it took me 30 min to instal.