how hard would it be?

[rudefyet]

just for future reference anyone know anything about converting a base model into something more like how hard it would be to add power windows, locks,mirrors, a hud, a dic, rear buckets stuff like that....i've got an idea how to change the ground effects...and also i've read guides on an L67 swap and from what i understand the hard part is wiring...hehe...i like wiring so i hope that is it...but yeah really i'm more insterested in the power accessories cause i can afford to start pieceing them together...so anyone thats done this how hard is it? what do i need? etc. and also anyone put in a moonroof? lemme know

[supreme_style21]

I'm willing to bet that the majority of people on this board have added at least one of those items. I, personally, have added bucket seats.. HUD, DIC, and soon, a console shifter :? Oh and in the past I've added sunroofs.. not myself, but professional jobs.

[LukeZ34]

*waits for Dave to chime in*

[supreme_style21]

*waits for Dave to chime in*

 

I wonder if Dave was actually one of the first guys on the moon

[rudefyet]

yeah i've talked to him a few he's the one that told me how to do the ground effects and he offered me a DIC...but i was looking for everyones experience....especilly on basic stuff...cause i'm in college and jobless...lol...i'll get a job prolly this month so i just felt like adding parts like that one by one...i honest;y don't like the steering wheel buttons...i have an aftermarket stereo system too so it wouldn't really work...but yeah i just need to find a decent junkyard around here...the 2 big one's i know of are foriegn only...mainly cause this is my first american car...basic concern of mine is liike wiring power seats windows etc. cause i tried wiring a stereo in a ford ranger that originally came without one and boy was it a pain cause there was no wiring ran for it...i just wonder if i'm gonna run into that

 

hmmm....gearhead43 gave me a link to his site...maybe i should visit it 8)

[phantomshado]

I have put a moonroof in. Its a time suck. let me tell you.

 

You need the following:

moonroof glass/motor/housing

roof liner

shade slider

rubber trim

switches to control it

the roof metal with a good 4" border around it. (the rolled edge is essential to getting a water tight seal. don't attempt to make your own, it won't happen.)

 

First drink enough to get the courage to do this. Its a hell of an undertaking.

 

Second, secure a clean, DRY garage with high ceilings to work in. Lift not needed, step ladder is.

 

As per the car:

One remove your existing head liner. Hold on to it, just in case things take a turn for the worse.

Second, install the moonroof roof liner. take a crayon and trace the inside of the opening.

Remove the roof liner, then draw a circle around that first marking that is about 2" larger than the glass surface, but about 2" smaller than the roof metal from the donor car.

 

Take a dremel and cut out the circle of metal (hint: drink a couple before doing this. courage is needed.)

 

Next, line up the metal from the donor car (without the glass or anything else) and tack it in place with a couple welds applied to either the roof side or under side. I'd go roof side (grind down the paint first), due to the fact that falling sparks could damage the interior. It doesn't matter because you're going to be painting either way.

 

Once it is tacked into place, finish tracing the opening with a good weld. grind that down smooth, and break out the bondo. don't just fill in the immediate area around the weld, it will leave a metal "moat". Fill it in all the way to the edge of where the glass will be, but make sure that the edge where the glass will sit remains clean. Try to keep this as clean and smooth as possible.

 

Put in the tracking for the glass. I recommend using a single bar of metal to ensure that the ends are the same distance apart.

 

Assemble everything to the finished point. Give it a trial run, make sure everything is gelling. Once it is, disassemble everything again and have the car painted.

I painted the car myself, using catalyzed enamel. 5 coats, a bit of wet sanding with 2500 grit, then 2000 grit, then 1500 grit, then rubbing compound, then polishing compund, then wax.

 

Reasssemble everything.

 

If the roof liner is a different color than the rest of the interior do this

heres what you do.

Keep the liner, but scrape off all of the foam and liner. then go to a walmart, or a fabric store, get a sheet of whatever color felt and some thin foam or insulation foam. Be sure to iron the felt perfectly flat, preferably on a large flat surface (kitchen table, floor, etc.) ((also, make sure the iron is on a cool setting, otherwise it will scorch or melt )) Then glue the foam and felt together using a spray adhesive. 3M makes great glues like this. Let that set up over night, and then spray the remaining liner and glue the foam/felt to it, trim to edges, and put back in place. If you're neat about it, it totally looks like a pro job.

 

Then reassemble everything. Bam, moonroof.

 

This isn't a super hard job. Patience and courage are a must.

You're looking at a couple days work. Remember, take your time. Make sure everything works. Otherwise you're ruining a perfectly non leaking roof. and that super blows.

[Thabulldog]

I have put a moonroof in. Its a time suck. let me tell you.

 

 

 

You wouldnt happen to have pictures of the finished product would you?

[phantomshado]

As soon as I can get my sister home, I'll snap some pics. I put the thing in her 97 Skylark. (the donor was an achieva)

[Brian P]

If you need to add all those options, you're better off getting the entire interior wiring harness off the donor car @ the junkyard