My dad recently gave me a 2011 Camry LE and it didn't have a sunroof which is the single feature I want the most out of any car, literally. I want to install/make a sunroof for my car, panoramic if possible. So is this a realistic idea? is it achievable? Please don't tell me to sell or trade this car in with one that has a sunroof because I am not doing that. I plan to keep this thing until forever.
I don't know about a panoramic sunroof, and I also don't know what the roof panel looks like on a non sunroof '07-'11 Camry. But my mother in-law has an '04 Camry that didn't have a sunroof so she had one installed aftermarket and to be honest the only way you can tell that it's not factory is if you compare it to one that is. I'll have to ask her who did hers, but I can't imagine that it wouldn't be possible on a newer Camry as well.
There might be an exception with a body guy who is exceptional, but as a general rule, trying to install a sun roof is a rally bad idea. It's hard to get the thing to seal and not leak, and that's the least of the problems. I vote to not do it.
There are two ways around this as ive explored both.
1) Find a sunroof installer with lifetime leak warranty. As its aftermarket there is a risk of of leaking more than stock. Stock sunroofs have channels that divert the water away from the roof. If you simply just cut a hole in it, you will get leaks into your cabin. As for panoramic? Like a moon roof? That would be really cool IMO.
2) Find a wreck of a camry with a sunroof. Cut the roof off the wreck and do a switch. Yes it may be a lot of work, yes it may cost more, but in the long run this idea may cost less...wait no. may have less problems. If you know what youre doing, and planning to DIY you may aswell head down this path.
Reason why i didnt get an aftermarket sunroof in the end? because i cant justify 2k for it.
Aftermarket sunroofs are problematic and tend to leak over time. Not the greatest idea, but if you really want to spend that much money... go for it. A decent one is going to be expensive.
i hate the look of aftermarket sunroofs. the weather stripping is usually bigger than factory so it sticks out on top of the roof and i dont like the look of the sunroof buttons
for me its just looks, but if your car didnt have a sunroof the most logical action to take is to have an aftermarket installer put it in for you
Well since I plan on keeping this car for as long as I can. I think I'm gonna hold off this idea for now as from all the inputs, it's very costly to to and does not guarantee a leak free system. Thank you all for the helps!
Do not get anything that comes stock on another car which is the same model as your car, trade your car in bro. I never really understood people who do Gen 6.5 conversions and bumper swaps from LE to SE. Just trade the car in, then mode in stuff that doesnt come stock with your car make.
Rule #2
Aftermarked sunroof will probably leak, if not now, sometime later. How do you justify at least 2k for a sunroof? when you can trade the car in for one that comes with a sunroof for probably half that price in addition? Think about it.
#1 is because some people change their mind and that way is cheaper or they don't want the whole package. For example I didn't want an SE because the back seats don't fold down and they cost way more than the price difference in body kit and struts. I also didnt want an XLE becauae I don't like wood grain interior. I definitely want certain features from both cars though. Sometime people just want a specific option that one car has and that mod is easy (not some something like an auto to manual conversion).
#2 According to some quick online research the recommended company is a maker of OEM sunroofs and when looking online if people get them installed professionally not only do they work great but they offer a lifetime parts warranty on some. Also most prices I have seem ranged from 900-1200 which I doubt is more than the trade in hit and cost of buying another car (assuming he's not upside down already). It is my believe that all sunroofs will eventually leak OEM or aftermarket just like all engines will eventually leak oil somewhere. As long as the OP doesn't install a 350 dollar sunroof I think he will be fine.
If you have a reputable shop to do the work and good quality parts, I dont see a problem with it. Factory sunroofs themselves are going to more than likely leak over time anyways, It's just that most have a drain hose to let the water run down(though there is a tsb out for the hoses not being secure right now anyways). As far as value goes, if you're planning to keep the car until it dies, and you feel that a sunroof would be a great feature...I say why not, but that's just me. My Mother in-law had an aftermarket sunroof installed in her Camry back in '06 and has had no problem with it leaking, noise, rattle, function or anything. My '11 SE on the other hand has been in the shop twice for sunroof problems in which they completely replaced it this last time.
Is there anyway they can build a hose to let the water run down in a custom sunroof like the factory one? I actually wouldn't mind spending 2k on a sunroof mod if it guarantees factory quality or better.
I spent a long time looking at putting a sunroof in my taco. If you get a quality installer to take care of it, you won't have any leaking problems. They usually offer a warranty as well if they're a large, well known place.
The warranty is on parts. Not labor. So if someone does a sub-par installation and results in a leak the warranty won't cover it. So try and have a place that has a lifetime installation warranty do it.
Is a panoramic sunroof a realistic goal? I love the way it look on the ES350. I honestly don't care if it doesn't open, I just like the light shining into the car.
Ill never do aftermarket moon roofs ever again. I've had the webasto and inalfa and both will leak over time. But hey its your car so do what you want.
Unless you get a lifetime warranty against leaks- skip it. I've known two people that put aftermarket sunroofs into their cars (and a third that put a cheap manual one in). One of my friends put a manual one into a 1998 Grand Prix- and it leaked after six months due to the weatherstripping cracking. One of the two automatics was put into a 2005 Mustang. It started leaking after about three years- but only in a carwash or a really heavy rain. The other automatic was put into my friend's 4Runner (2001 or 2002). It leaked, but not in an obvious way. After about a year or two- the interior started to smell and then the overhead lights malfunctioned. It turned out that water was getting into the interior- and just collecting between the headliner and roof. Mold started to grow- and eventually the water got to the wiring that controlled the overhead light- that the installer had to move when he installed the sunroof.
I really recommend that you skip this- as these types of problems are really common with aftermarket sunroofs. Unless the company you use offers a lifetime warranty against leaks- including any damage that results from leaks- I'd skip it.
That's the plan but the sunroof assembly is a factory only option so I can't really buy it. If I hunt one down in a junk yard, is it a good idea to install that one?
I'll be sending it to the dealer to get it installed. but I wanted to know is it easy to get all buttons in the ceiling and the sunroof and they finish the rest. dealer said that's fine.
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My dealer uses a local restoration company here that installs them with lifetime guarantee plus workmanship. They used the Hollandia on mine. The shop said our camry already had the internals in the roof for a moonroof they just had to cut the hole and mount the moonroof, wiring, etc... They had to reposition the dome light which still looks like the factory did it. Letting it seal is the big thing. They kept it for 24hours after the install to ensure proper sealing. If I didn't already know what a factory moonroof looked like, I would not know the difference. You can't tell by looking from the outside but you can tell by looking at the led buttons/switches. They aren't cheap though.
I vote to close the thread. The OP still wants a moon roof and is apparently too young to appreciate the long term annoyances this will cause, let alone the costs of future repairs and the loss of trade value on the back end.
So here's what to do. Go down to the local moon roof store and hand over your shekels, wait awhile, enjoy, suffer, and learn. Spare us the attitude.
Why would you even come here and say all those things? Such a waste of time. I came to ask if it's a good idea to put a custom sunroof/moonroof on my car. The consensus disagree with it because it might cause damage to the car by leaking. I trust the people on here because they're honest about their opinion and I thank them for putting in their time to help me out. I'm going to keep this car WITHOUT the sunroof/moonroof. I'm NOT selling or trading it because this is MY car, it means something to me that you obviously don't understand. I'm grateful and proud to have this car. I will buy another car that comes with one. I thought this thread was already over because everyone that has something to said already said it and I already acknowledged the fact that this is not a good idea even though some people out there have had problem free with their custom sunroof/moonroof. I AM NOT CONSIDERING THIS IDEA ANYMORE.
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