I took a sunroof and all the associated parts from my parts car for a friend. Then he sold the car before he made the change. I wouldn't go to the trouble if the car has A/C. I have an '86 & an '88 without A/C, & the sunroof ventilation is great. I prefer the A/C in my '84 when it's hot...
I guess I'll be the voice of dissention. I have owned sunroof Fieros, T-Top Fieros, hardtop Fieros and even a convertible Fiero and out of all of them I much prefer the hardtop. Nothing to leak, squeak, rattle or break.
I guess I'll be the voice of dissention. I have owned sunroof Fieros, T-Top Fieros, hardtop Fieros and even a convertible Fiero and out of all of them I much prefer the hardtop. Nothing to leak, squeak, rattle or break.
The PO of my car had the same thinking. He offered the roof section to go along with the car when I bought it and I excepted. I was selling New GM vehicles from 77 to '14 and have experienced all the issues over the years. Even the new C UV's with sunroof leaks. I bought a sunroof shade and it is on and only comes off of the sunroof to clean the glass. The only time sunroof is used is to pop it up to vent when the car is parked at work on hot days. Some time in the future it will be switched over. To a non leaking non squeaking roof.
[This message has been edited by solotwo (edited 04-29-2014).]
I don't really appreciate it for it's ventilation as much but more for the "targa top" feel when I take the glass out. Aaaaaaaannnnnd 90% of the time that I'm driving the car is days where removing the glass is acceptable weather wise. I dunno, just feels less "claustrophobic" with the glass out.
Best/first upgrade I did to mine. My Fiero is a summer daily driver for me and the only time the sunroof glass is used is if it is raining.
I've spent the last 8 years sitting in a cubicle 8+ hours a day, and I have another 40 years of that ahead of me. Combine that with the fact that we only have about one month of enjoyable weather here in Minnesota each year. A sunroof has become an absolute requirement of mine for all of my cars. I need to enjoy that one month of nice weather as much as possible just to keep my sanity.
I'm with MRFIERO on this one for all the reasons he listed plus it just adds more weight to the worse place possible. But, if your heart is set on it and that's what you want go for it. Just remember the squeaks and leaks that eventually come with it and make sure dealing with them is worth it to you. I had to have both the inner and outer seals on mine replaced and it was not pleasant. It is nice being able to vent fresh air without lowering the windows though...
I love a sunroof in a Fiero. I never take the glass out, I just pop it up for ventilation... rain or shine. Never leaks. Doesn't squeak. Did I mention I love a sunroof?
Structurally there is no difference so i say why not? I would rather have the sunroof drip on me non-stop than to have a solid roof. ..that a the one reason I hated the old corvette z06
Another vote for the sunroof, I love mine, I smoke so even with the windows all the way up when it rains I can open the sunroof and the noise is minimal compared to the side windows when open just a little, it sucks the cigarette smoke right out and I have never had a problem with rain leaking in even when open.
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Originally posted by jscott1:
Structurally there is no difference so I say why not? I would rather have the sunroof drip on me non-stop than to have a solid roof. ..that a the one reason I hated the old corvette z06
Actually I think structurally the roof is stronger in a roll over scenario, there is more steel up there with the sun roof. never took my headliner out but any of the factory ones like ours I have seen have more steel ribbing around the sun roof or if a fiberglass roof more ribbing of the fiberglass type or thicker fiberglass. so just one more plus, wasn't there a CSI show where someone ran over a Fiero with a sunroof with a Hummer and all they did was drive right over the dam thing, it didn't look like it hurt it much if any at all.
I'm picking up a hardtop next week to swap out my sunroof.
I actually took a spare sunroof glass and glued carpet on it to keep the heat down. The car is much cooler and the carpet matched the headliner material almost perfect.
I'm picking up a hardtop next week to swap out my sunroof.
I actually took a spare sunroof glass and glued carpet on it to keep the heat down. The car is much cooler and the carpet matched the headliner material almost perfect.
Obviously too late now but you should have asked around The Mall for a factory sunroof insert. Couple years ago the Fiero was downgraded to daily driver status for a week while my truck was in the shop and it just so happened that week was hotter than blazes. I believe that was the only time I ever used that insert but it saved me from getting into an extremely hot car after work. The insert goes in between the sunroof glass and the headliner, it's just bigger than the opening on the interior of the car to keep it from falling down.
Love the sunroof. Even went so far as to make my own gasket tracks out of stainless. Car hasn't leaked a drop since. 3 out of the 4 I have owned had the sunroof. And since I bought my first one in '89, the one without I never got used to driving, it was just too weird.
Last summer swapped the sunroof panel for the solid top panel. Prior to my 2 current Fieros, I had always had sunroof Fieros, but really like the solid roofs now.
Originally posted by 84fiero123: Actually I think structurally the roof is stronger in a roll over scenario, there is more steel up there with the sun roof. never took my headliner out but any of the factory ones like ours I have seen have more steel ribbing around the sun roof or if a fiberglass roof more ribbing of the fiberglass type or thicker fiberglass. so just one more plus,...
Steve
All Fieros have the hole cut out for the sunroof. There might be a trivial amount of metal to hold in the weather-seal but structurally it's identical to the so-called hardtop.
Obviously too late now but you should have asked around The Mall for a factory sunroof insert. Couple years ago the Fiero was downgraded to daily driver status for a week while my truck was in the shop and it just so happened that week was hotter than blazes. I believe that was the only time I ever used that insert but it saved me from getting into an extremely hot car after work. The insert goes in between the sunroof glass and the headliner, it's just bigger than the opening on the interior of the car to keep it from falling down.
I'm aware of those. but This was next to free and I didn't have to wait. I had the extra sunroof panel and already found a hardtop.
Scratch the glass, paint it to match the car, cover the inside with headliner material, and have the best of both worlds. Vent when you need, take it all the way out or leave it closed for the "moonroof effect.
My 87 GT has a sunroof and in my 27 years of ownership, I have had the sunroof out maybe 5 times. I'll crack it for ventilation in the cooler weather and leave it closed with the AC on and a hat on my head on the sunny days. You will fry the top of your head on sunny days with the sunroof in. I'll put the sun roof panel in on really hot days. My sun roof hasn't leaked, so I'm lucky in that regard, but I have replaced the hinge gaskets at least once as they had deteriorated.
I love my sunroof. On any sunny day I'll pop the glass out and put it up front. The hole in the roof is very large from inside, and the breeze is great. You've got another vote for sunroof from me!
Totally don't use my sunroofs...(I have them in both Fiero's ) Too much of a hassle. Stop for lunch , leaves get inside, birds poop inside on your seats, etc ... Not to mention air leaks , water leaks and rust in the sunroof channel. Funny thing is , I have seen far more Fiero's that have the sunroof than those without! They look cleaner / better without them. Kit
[This message has been edited by Kitskaboodle (edited 04-30-2014).]
When I was shopping around for my GT I looked at lots of cars posted with pics with and without a sunroof. It's been my observation that as a general rule of thumb the cars with the most warping of interior trim parts (radio/HVAC surround, Shifter surround, console door) are the ones that had a sunroof. The least warping I found in the hardtops.
I would have loved to have a sunroof in my car but a lot of warping might have made it less appealing to me.
T-Tops won't leak if you don't drive your prized Fiero in the rain, Heh he. If the weather forecast predicts rain, our T-Top Fiero stays home in the garage. This also helps to keep the mileage low (under 34K) and the Fiero in mint shape.
[This message has been edited by canfirst (edited 05-02-2014).]
I was asking myself this same question two months ago when I found a sunroof-equipped car in my favorite salvage yard. I was perfectly happy with the hardtop on my '87 coupe, but I decided to buy the roof/sunroof off the salvage yard car thanks to responses I got on my thread:
I've learned some interesting things about Fiero sunroofs and especially the metal frame that attaches the top to the car. First, that frame can rust. Second, it's four separate pieces so I'm optimistic I can find a suitable replacement.
The last vehicle I owned that had a sunroof was my '92 GTZ. I loved being able to pop it open for the air flow, but I hated that it leaked and that it let way too much sun in during the summer.
Being able to remove the sunroof would be awesome. I have a 60-mile commute everyday that's 99% highway, and at this time of year and in the fall the mornings and evenings would be perfect for driving with the sunroof stowed.
To those of you who have done the conversion to a sunroof, is it difficult? I'm buying an 87 hardtop, and wishing it had the sunroof already, but it doesn't. I have read something about the plastic body panels of these cars, is the roof plastic or metal? I haven't seen the car in person yet, but am hoping to see it this weekend, when it's delivered. If the conversion is simple as removing a plastic roof panel, the headliner, then possibly cutting the hole for the sunroof, then putting everything together, I would definitely be interested in doing the conversion. If it require cutting into a metal roof, and welding in the sheet metal around the sunroof, I'll leave it as is.
I just (two months ago) had my 87 GT, which had a dealer-installed sunroof, converted to a factory sunroof. It was done during a body-off paint job. The body shop that did the paint did the conversion. Figuring it all out was a bit of a collaborative project, but they did all the hard work. For me, the most difficult part was finding a factory roof section in decent shape with intact A-pillars.
All that said, I agree with both sides of the argument posted here: You will almost inevitably have leaks and squeaks to deal with, and will own a car with additional, somewhat difficult to find parts. While some are available after-market (some fasteners, hinge tabs, weather strip, and weather strip tracks- someone here makes really nice stainless replacements), some, like the handle/hinge mechanism with the often-bent, cast aluminum arms, are not available after-market. Getting that part and its roof-mounted counterpart, adjusted correctly is a challenge. The glass is heavy and somewhat awkward to lift out and out in.
But...here in Seattle, nothing is better than popping out the top on a sunny day and getting some vitamin D on my face
Like a lot of things in life, you don't get something for nothing
To those of you who have done the conversion to a sunroof, is it difficult? I'm buying an 87 hardtop, and wishing it had the sunroof already, but it doesn't. I have read something about the plastic body panels of these cars, is the roof plastic or metal? I haven't seen the car in person yet, but am hoping to see it this weekend, when it's delivered. If the conversion is simple as removing a plastic roof panel, the headliner, then possibly cutting the hole for the sunroof, then putting everything together, I would definitely be interested in doing the conversion. If it require cutting into a metal roof, and welding in the sheet metal around the sunroof, I'll leave it as is.
There is no metal cutting. all Fieros are set up for the sunroof. You have to removed the headliner and the SMC (fiberglass) top and replace it with the sunroof top. There is other things you have to do but not much. Search the forum and you'll find all you need to know.
I change my hardtop to a sunroof and love it. No leaks or squeeks
To those of you who have done the conversion to a sunroof, is it difficult? I'm buying an 87 hardtop, and wishing it had the sunroof already, but it doesn't. I have read something about the plastic body panels of these cars, is the roof plastic or metal? I haven't seen the car in person yet, but am hoping to see it this weekend, when it's delivered. If the conversion is simple as removing a plastic roof panel, the headliner, then possibly cutting the hole for the sunroof, then putting everything together, I would definitely be interested in doing the conversion. If it require cutting into a metal roof, and welding in the sheet metal around the sunroof, I'll leave it as is.
I'm still in the process of making the switch. If you can get the hardtop roof and the sunroof panel off the respective cars WITHOUT damaging them it's not too bad. I damaged both panels getting them off and it resulted in a huge amount of repair work. Search the forum for the instructions on how to remove the roof panel.
I love my sunroof on my GT. I like to take it off and then go for a cruise through the mountains. Sure, you could have bad weather strip but if your car was taken care of, you won't have that issue
There is no metal cutting. all Fieros are set up for the sunroof. You have to removed the headliner and the SMC (fiberglass) top and replace it with the sunroof top. There is other things you have to do but not much. Search the forum and you'll find all you need to know.
I change my hardtop to a sunroof and love it. No leaks or squeeks
quote
Originally posted by Quad Raider:
I'm still in the process of making the switch. If you can get the hardtop roof and the sunroof panel off the respective cars WITHOUT damaging them it's not too bad. I damaged both panels getting them off and it resulted in a huge amount of repair work. Search the forum for the instructions on how to remove the roof panel.
Thanks guys! It sounds pretty easy, and this is definitely something I want to do eventually.
I recommend reading other threads about changing over. The roof panels can be difficult to remove for two reasons, the butyl sealant that bonds the roof to the frame and the sealant around the windshield. In my case I could not get the solid panel off my '87 coupe, mostly because I think the windshield had been replaced and the installer had used too much sealant. Getting the donor sunroof panel off the salvage yard car was difficult because the factory metal tracks under the rubber seal were corroded and the studs broke loose so I couldn't get the nuts off.
If you make the switch, count on getting stainless tracks:
You'll also need all the trim and hardware from the donor car, and you'll probably want a new rubber seal. I got mine from The Fiero Store.
I'm not trying to talk you out of it, just trying to prepare you. My switch has caused me a ridiculous amount of extra work, to the point where I'm considering finding another donor and starting over. Hopefully you won't have any trouble
[This message has been edited by Quad Raider (edited 06-22-2015).]
I love convertibles. I used to like sunroofs, but dont anymore. My last sunroof car, I sandblasted the glass and painted it black to match the roof. I didnt bake in it anymore.
Funny thing is , I have seen far more Fiero's that have the sunroof than those without! They look cleaner / better without them. 
