Sunroof open stuck parts plastic cover cables FAQ

[SGKent]

I am getting ready to place an order for a couple of these center covers. They are $75 each and I suspect (my gut tells me) he isn't going to make anymore after this. If you are interested please contact me asap to let me know you want to move forward. I don't know anyone else who has these and if someone wants to make one by printing it you need a good original to start from and frankly I do not know where you will get one. The last I saw was sold in Europe about 2008 and not another has surfaced since. Maybe EIS might be interested since they make the other parts but the hold up there last time I checked with Sean was they couldn't find a NOS one to copy. Anyway - $75 each and you will probably have to paint it because the one he sent me last time was yellow.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[airschooled]

[slammedresto]

[SGKent]

[slammedresto]

If going to get one it may as well be a repro one, can you get the cogs too, I need to replace the gear cog that sits under that plastic cover too. Pm me you PayPal details and I will get the deposit off to you
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Campervan obsessive
www.westcoastbays.com

F1 and Motorsport memorabilia
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[SGKent]

[Sally the Bus]

Hey guys,
So the sunroof in my bus was sealed with a combination of tape and silicone by the last owner. I haven't opened it yet to see what I have to work with.

My question is: if the cables is where the failure usually occurs, is there a way to install it without the cables and open the sunroof with your hand and not the crank? Like how you open a ragtop

I know its not original but I would like to get it working again

Thanks in adavance

[jakokombi]

The roof can be slid back by hand after the rear of the ppanel drops down.
Since it is the tension on the cable that lifts the rear of the panel I don't know how you would accomplish this.
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70 Sunroof Kombi
69 Tin Top
73 Thing
72 Baja

[SGKent]

with the cables removed you could probably rig some kind of small winch system with blocks and tackles to wind it closed or open, and hold it. Maybe marine bungee cords that last a long time so one doesn't hit a passenger or you in the corner of your eye or the back of your head. It could be done. Maybe some pins to hold it closed and part way open like a garage door lock or something like that.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[andrew_c]

Does anyone have a beat on one of those metal underside/tray pieces for a sunroof?
It's #8 in this diagram. I don't know the proper part name.
http://bustedbus.com/OtherAssets2/t208700.gif

Fixing up a '77 sunroof, and this part that the headliner gets applied to is AWOL. Help!

[SGKent]

used and hard to get unbent. Do a search in classifieds for "parting" . Then look at the ads until you find a late sunroof bay near you being parted. I gave two to Tubdub a couple years ago. He probably sold them or horse traded them but you might check with him.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[andrew_c]

Thanks Kent, any idea what the name of that part is called? For the sake of referencing it correctly..

[SGKent]

Sunroof inner panel is what I would call it. Most are going to be bent to heck from people prying on the sides trying to get them out. Look for an ad that reads "parting sunroof" bus. Anything from 1971 to 1979 will fit if the sides are not bent.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[andrew_c]

Found the inner panel!

Missing the bow clip springs though - has anyone seen a detailed how-to for reupholstering the headliner on the inner panel? Want to make sure I've got everything lined up before I start.

[dpetteng]

[neilswheels]

[quote="SGKent"]

[SGKent]

it is the center piece only he makes. He does not make other parts. EIS is it on the other plastic new, or you can chase used ones - I just threw away a handful because no one wanted them. No other choices. You won't get like new with a sunroof but you can get close. The factory parts haven't been made in almost 30 - 35 years and NOS spares are non-existent. The last new plastic parts were probably sold about 2000 - 2005. I haven't seen one piece since 2008 when I started looking for them. The only new common parts I located were a set of factory cables, and that is only because a vendor with a private stash of parts cashed out on them. That was five or six years ago, and I think I paid $450 plus International shipping for the set back then. Today that set would probably bring close to $750 - $1000 USD. Sometimes cables show up in Europe still for around $300 USD each plus shipping. Nothing but EIS as to the plastic and the guy in MI for the center piece.

If the roof doesn't work right it is probably because your cables need adjusting. Just open it 6 or 7 inches, take the center winder out and push the roof back three or four inches to equalize the cables. Then put the winder back in. It will require that four or five times during the first year or so. Otherwise the cables will rotate the panel and cause it to bind, then strip the new cables. Please stop whining about the quality of the parts and be thankful they exist. I have a set on my bus and the sunroof works just fine.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[SDBeachbum]

I'm looking for the front metal tube guide for my sunroof #8 in the picture. Are those available anywhere? It's the last part I need to finish my sunroof restoration

[67-indeed]

Does anyone have the dimension of the screws that should be used to put the assembly together? My sunroof has been assembled with regular woodworking screws and I want to make the all as it's supposed to be.

You'd help me greatly
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'67 Cal-look beetle - 1915cc IDA motor.

[philsrod]

So..did not know what I was doing when I bought my 69 bay with sunroof. Have spent last year doing major surgery. Now it's time for the sunroof. Have new repop cables. Oh look no metal guides on the four corners of the slider. Found some in England for almost $600. The front guides look a lot like the ones on a beetle? Has anyone tried using the front guides from a beetle for the bay? Have made many requests on the sambal and Craigslist for the bay slider guides.
The Samba rocks....Phil