How Badly Does Sunroof Impact Body Rigidity?

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

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Apr 25, 2017

#21

• Apr 25, 2017

• #21

wgreenlee4 said:

I've never really understood the sunroof thing. My car just came with one. Do people like it because it makes it seem more roomy?

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I'm just partial to open air motoring. I pretty much have the sunroof off any time I drive the car. I only put it in to keep dust from garage out of interior.

 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

Admin Dude

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#22

• Apr 25, 2017

• #22

How about if they provide them?

 

wgreenlee4

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Apr 25, 2017

#23

• Apr 25, 2017

• #23

Mustang5L5 said:

I'm just partial to open air motoring. I pretty much have the sunroof off any time I drive the car. I only put it in to keep dust from garage out of interior.

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Oh I see, I guess I hadn't really considered leaving it out since I don't have a garage and daily my car so I can't be taking it in and out all the time.

Noobz347 said:

How about if they provide them?

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It was a lower hourly labor cost then. But the parts would obviously be more expensive. I was getting the impression they were just trying to stop people from providing them. It was $500 for just labor if they provide them. Didn't ask about parts cost.

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

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Apr 26, 2017

#24

• Apr 26, 2017

• #24

As for general rigidity, I'm not sure there is a significant difference from a hard top. On the solid roof cars, there's just one brace running across the roof where the hole would be, while on the sunroof cars, the metal is stamped and folded and welded, which does add some rigidity in itself.

Both are prone to flex, so proper classic bracing is key no matter what, but I wouldn't classify one as worse than the other.

Now, ttops or convertible? Different story

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

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Apr 26, 2017

#25

• Apr 26, 2017

• #25

Here's the roof structure of a solid roof car. As you can see, just one flimsy brace is all that's different. The sunroof skin behind it probably has more metal in it (although it doesn't connect to the side structure of roof)


Needless to say, I'd venture to guess no measurable difference

 

Reactions: Shakerhood

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

Admin Dude

Jan 4, 1985

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Apr 26, 2017

#26

• Apr 26, 2017

• #26

wgreenlee4 said:

It was a lower hourly labor cost then. But the parts would obviously be more expensive. I was getting the impression they were just trying to stop people from providing them. It was $500 for just labor if they provide them. Didn't ask about parts cost.

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That's crappy. Call around. A lot of shops have their own (often very nice) that they use and you can actually save a little money because they get kick-backs from the manufacturer. Might be more true for the late model Stangs these days.

One other thing. When I installed mine, they were bolt-in, full-length, sub-frame connectors... bolt-on (obviously).

I put them on in my driveway, drove it onto the 4 post lift at a Meineke muffler shop, closed all the doors and windows, and had the dude weld where I pointed. I think it cost me $110.

 

Shakerhood

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Oct 28, 2004

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Apr 26, 2017

#27

• Apr 26, 2017

• #27

That Sunroof still does not look Factory to me, with it sitting high up like that and there is also some sort of brace in the front center on top. Factory has the wings front left and right side and latch in the rear.