Restoring a ragtop sunroof mechanism with zero knowledge

[bugandxbandme]

Hello! Ever since I bought my 63 black sedan I have wanted to put a ragtop sunroof in it. I recently found a roof clip that was a decent price, but the mechanism is not in the best of shape. I think it can be saved, but I need help from you ragtop gurus to tell me what I am missing. Ragtops are pretty rare around here, so I have never used one or sat in one, even.

I'm going to post pictures of what I have.
I have...the main pieces of the mechanism. The hole itself (clip). New rollers and rivets.
I don't have...the long strips that are support brackets? The straps that connect the bows. I also don't know how to take the pieces of the old header off the locking mechanism, since they are rusted on.
The front part of the locker, where the headliner goes, is kind of rusted out.
Good news is, the handle turns freely and locks into place. Yay.
Does it matter how nice the mechanism pieces look if they will be covered anyway? I was thinking of covering all the parts with Rust Bullet and Blackshell. Is canvas way better than vinyl? Is there one manufacturer that makes ragtop covers that fit best?
Oh and I know the short rails are backwards in the pics:) I was just laying it out to see what I had.
Thanks in advance!

[57BLITZ]

This is one of the "strips" . . . https://grumpysmetal.com/bug/bug-1957-63/1956-1963-bug-rear-tension-nut-strip.html

The other "strip" can be fabricated . . .

Also . . . I see two "extra" parts . . . both shown in your first and second photos . . . can ya guess what they are?
_________________
Jesucristo es mi Señor y Salvador!

[jason]

Some of the pieces are still visible when open. Have it blasted and epoxy it, fill the bad pits with some filler and paint. You only really see the front where the hook is and some of the arm that holds the bow.

[bugandxbandme]

Feet?

[bugandxbandme]

Thanks for the link to the tension strip. I'm going to get that.

[57BLITZ]

[bugandxbandme]

Yeah! I knew about those. I didn't think about saving them, though! That's what I was talking about when I said there were pieces stuck on that wouldn't come off. The bow that was on there originally was toast, and the guy I bought the mechanism from included the extra header bow...but I need to figure out how to remove the old parts. The screws are totally fused, of course.

[dschup]

Sometimes it helps to try and tighten fused or rusty screws a bit first to break them free. Otherwise, carefully applied heat and some penetrating oil...

good luck!

[bugandxbandme]

Thanks! I'm going to get it sandblasted asap as well.

[57BLITZ]

[bugandxbandme]

[GB2S]

Use a lot of penetrating oil on those screws. All the parts you will need restore the sunroof are available from the site previously mentioned. The part you need is called a pinch weld. It is spot welded in place. You will find in the bus parts. I think it is about $35.00. The guys at this site are great!!
Very will to take the time to help you out.

Geoff
_________________
1963 Ragtop

[bugandxbandme]

Just watched the video on Grumpy's Metal for rebuilding a rag mechanism. What a great resource! I just have to get what I have to the point where his is in the beginning of the video.

[57BLITZ]

[rcooled]

Also, don't forget to replace the two straps that assist in pulling the middle bow forward when the roof is being closed. They were originally made of a woven fabric and tended to rot out fairly quickly. Yours are missing. A 1/2" wide nylon pet leash makes a good substitute for the original material. The two pieces are pop-riveted in place and will avoid tears by keeping the sunroof cover and headliner from having to pull the middle bow into position while closing the roof.

These straps are called out as item #21 in this diagram from Grumpy's site:
https://grumpysmetal.com/bug/bug-1957-63.html

Although he doesn't offer the straps for sale, they're mentioned briefly in his how-to video
_________________
'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone)

[bugandxbandme]

Thanks for the leash recommendation:)

[my59]

I believe someone posted the length of those straps in one of the sunroof threads, 12" long if I remember correctly
_________________
my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.

[57BLITZ]

[bugandxbandme]

Great pictures, thank you!

[catahoula lou]

Also, don't forget the thin metal strip that goes along the rear edge of the ragtop portion of the headliner, which is very hard to find, if you don't have one. Even though the noted portion comes with a cardboard strip sewn into it, without the original metal strip it will "batwing" over time.

I was lucky enough to finally find one. I took it to a metal shop to find out the type/grade of metal and took detailed measurements so that anyone could fabricate one. See my following link:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Best,
Thom
_________________
1 great wife
2 Catahoula Leopard Dogs (Mahogany Star and Spartan) - RIP Lucy, Braveheart, & Dusty!
1 1959 mango green Ragtop Bug (the "Mango")
1 1958 pantina red Lowlight Ghia (the "Chili Pepper")

Still looking for:
(1) My Dad's 1955 356 (he raced it amateur-class at Riverside and other courses during 1950s),
(2) My parent's black 1955 hardtop bug (CA license plate FWC 201 or FWG 201), and
(3) My parent's agave green 1957 ragtop bug (CA license plate LFK 734).