Metal sunroof to solid roof?

[TheDon]

As I sit in my bug tearing the ripped to shreds headliner out I'm curious if I can easily remove the subroof pan and weld up the giant hole? Mine is a '64 so it's no ragtop and I'm not a big fan of sunroofs plus mine is missing 75% of everything to make it work so I'm looking at $$$$ to have a giant hole in my roof that leaks water.

I could easily list he sunroof stuff for sale. I'm just curious if I have to do a roof clip or if I can just drill out all of these spot welds.
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[TheDon]

Or I could make it a rag top.....and not have to repaint.....hmmmw
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[57BLITZ]

Metal sunroofs do not leak!
They are designed to drain the water that gets past the dust seals . . . similar to the way your door glass seals will let water past only to drain out the bottom of the door.

If you let your sunroof drain tubes plug-up, the water WILL back up and get into your interior. Do not confuse that by saying you sunroof leaks!

It will take you a few minutes to clear those drains, but if that is too much trouble, yes it is possible to weld in a filler piece and then cover half the roof with Bondo!
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Jesucristo es mi Señor y Salvador!

[TheDon]

I could get a section of roof from a solid roof bug and patch it in?

Or just spend the money and fix the sunroof.

I'm going to talk to the VW shop in Orlando and talk to them about it
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[57BLITZ]

Clearing the drains will cost you nothing!!!!!!!
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Jesucristo es mi Señor y Salvador!

[KTPhil]

If yours is an original sunroof car, then the drains are there. Clearing them (and maybe replacing the clear connecting hoses), and patiently waiting for parts to come up in the classifieds (or scouting junkyards), and you will have all you need. There are threads about rebuilding it so it works like new.

[TheDon]

[56Cabrio]

[jzjames]

Go with finding a donor roof and patch it in.

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

While a properly working and draining steel sliding sunroof is great and generally do not leak from the roof.. they do drain into very bad places..
Not a bad option to have.. but needs improvements.

The front drains drip into the A pillars... and ...we all know the A pillars never rust out..
The rear drains drip over the running board and heater channel at the lower edge of the quarter panels.. and ....we all know the heater channels, rockers, and running board mounts never rust out..

IMO.. no parts... = make it solid ..Even if that means.. using a stock sunroof panel as the base to simply seal in place and correct the drains.. or weld the panel or a roof graft panel into place.. and forgetaboutit.

Parts are fairly easy to source if you search and place want ads.

Sliding Ragtops are nice... simpler than the metal..ad an older appeal but are pricey to graft in especially if you have to source a donor and pay someone to hack it in.
Then....since its now a graft.. if a sale is in even at all a possible future.. the Vw snobs will tear it apart and nit pick it to death.. especially if its a 65 and newer..


When and if you have the parts (for others) and want it.. at least move the drains to better locations.

[j.goodspeed]

With a bit of work and patently sourcing parts, you can make it work. I love having a sunroof with a set of pop out windows for airflow.
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[ZENVWDRIVER]

... 10 people will have 10 different opinions... is just a matter of preference.

my 2 cents is all 3 versions could be enjoyable... 1. I think metal sunroofs are not worth the trouble,. they are tiny and unattractive. 2. solid roof would be my preference. 3. rag tops are great. 3 folds are the way to go, but expensive... 2 folds are less expensive, a great size when open, a little more work to install and to maintain...

... if I had a choice, I'd take solid with pop-out rear quarters... a real cheap way to go might be to (clear) silicone the silly metal roof closed and add pop-outs.
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[SBD]

I've had 2 new vehicles with sunroofs. I hate the stupid things. They take up headroom and the manufacturers tack them on with other options that you want so you HAVE to get the $1200+ sunroof to get the other stuff.

Having said that, I LOVED the sunroof on the '63 ragtop Beetle I had. Would probably still have it if some idiot in a Mercury Marquis hadn't run a red light and totaled it for me about 25 years ago.
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"Just $99 down and $64 a month for 36 months buys you a brand new Volkswagen Beetle!"

[TheDon]

[ZENVWDRIVER]

[TheDon]

If I'm painting the car I kind of don't want to silicone it shut. I'd rather do it right the first time. Which is either repair thebsunroof or convert to solid roof
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[EVfun]

1964 is the only year of the small window Bug that came with the sliding steel sunroof. It is a unique thing to that year and removing one is likely bad for future resale value. That said, it is your car and do what you want with it.

It should be no issue to weld in a section of roof from another Bug. You should be able to use a roof section from any year Bug to make the patch as it is well back from the windshield.

Personally, I avoid convertible and sunroof Bugs. I live in a place where it never gets over 100F, but it rains over 150 days a year (Seattle.)
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[hitest]

[67ctbug]

I was going to say the same thing. They are very rare, being one year only. I wouldn't suggest closing it. It may be hard to fix, but it will be worth it in the end. The rarity is there and sunroof cars always go for more if you ever decide to sell it.
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[ZENVWDRIVER]