Moonroof Madness

kaha

kaha

Dedicated LVC Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2011
Messages
726
Reaction score
17
Location
Butte Montana
The Mark VIII noob calls upon the collective wisdom and experience of the group.

I have to replace the moonroof in my '96 LSC (popped the glass). I found one on Ebay for 90 bucks, seller said it came off a '96 Mark VIII. So I go to install it, and note two differences:

1.) It's about 3 inches wider than the one that came out of it. :eek:

2.) Whereas the original had two mounting tabs on each side, the replacement has 3.

Figured there'd been a mix-up and it came out of a Towncar or something.
I called the vendor, and he swore it came out of a '96 Mark VIII, and that he'd look into it and see that I got the right part (and since then hasn't returned calls, go figure).
Is this a Gen 2 moonroof? If so, did some of the later 96 models come with that?

I wanted to start a thread in the Used Parts forum, selling this one (since I'm obviously stuck with it) and requesting one that'll fit my car. But I'm not sure what I've got, and I'm not sure any more what I need. :confused:
 
Take some pics and the measurements of your car moon-roof.
Post them along with pics and measurements of the replacement glass.

Some cars have aftermarket moon-roofs.
Lets see what you have.
 
Factory roof, no external trim ring around opening, sheetmetal folded.

Non factory, external trim ring around opening, sheetmetal cut.
 
Your dome light is also a giveaway. If its above the mirror then its factory. If its behind the opening then its aftermarket.
 
LaserSVT said:
Your dome light is also a giveaway. If its above the mirror then its factory. If its behind the opening then its aftermarket.
Click to expand...

Well dang, that settles that. The domelight is behind the opening and the roof is cut, not folded, with a black plastic trim ring. So it's aftermarket. :(

The dimensions (of the moonroof itself, not the opening) from edge to edge are 31 3/8 x 18 5/8. I'll get a photo of it up as soon as my camera batteries are charged.

As well as a photo of the one that was sent to me. Its dimensions are 35 3/4 x 18 5/8.
 
Name of the company should be on the switch or on the shade cover.
 
Here's a pic of the two moonroofs together, one on the left is obviously the one needs replacing :D:D
All views are the underside.

moon1.jpg


And here is a detail of the broken one, showing the mounting tabs:

moon3.jpg


LaserSVT said:
Name of the company should be on the switch or on the shade cover.
Click to expand...

I hadn't seen it before, but I went and stuck my head into the opening, was very well hidden. SWEAR it wasn't there before... :shifty:

Sez as follows:

Styled and Manufactured by:
Vermeulen-Hollandia b.v.

Type TVS
#263546
 
SATURN5 said:
Most likely C&C or ASC moonroof.

Whoops... :)

Maybe...

http://www.sunroofdoctor.com/amsunrooflines.htm
Click to expand...

BINGO!

Talked to Rick at Sunroofdoctor, nice guy.
What's in there is a 43 Classic. Discontinued. :mad:
Drop-in replacement is the 43 Super. Exact same glass size, but the mounts are changed, so you gotta replace the tracks with the new style as well.

Cost about $400 shipped for the whole shibang. :eek:

It would be REALLY cool if someone were parting out a Mark VIII that just happened to have one of those in it.

Oh, and I've got a factory Mark VIII sunroof out of a 96, for sale cheap. :D
 
SATURN5 said:
Have comp on your insurance? It should be covered less deductible.
Click to expand...

Nope. Hindsight and all that. That's gonna change once I get back to work, tho. :(

ford nut said:
The price to pay for being a Mark VIII noob :)
Click to expand...

Truer word were never spoken. Let it be known that the slow climb from the pits of noobdom has its price and leaves its scars. ;)

Hoping work picks up soon so I can start making money again. Just scraping by now, and that's getting old. But now I know who to contact and what to order.

Thanks all for your help. Truly a great bunch of guys. :)

-Karl
 
Have you found a glass yet? If not I may have one, I have to go measure it tomorrow and I'll put the measurements up here. It looks like the one in the picture of the broken one, it just does not have the brackets. I sent two tards to the junkyard and they bought me the wrong glass.
 
marco said:
Have you found a glass yet? If not I may have one, I have to go measure it tomorrow and I'll put the measurements up here. It looks like the one in the picture of the broken one, it just does not have the brackets. I sent two tards to the junkyard and they bought me the wrong glass.
Click to expand...

I've only found the new replacement from sunroofdoctor, which will require the tracks switched out as well (the original model is discontinued, and its replacement uses different tracks). For a bit over $400, which I ain't got ATM.
So in other words, no. :lol:

If the one you have fits, that'd rock! Be happy to buy it off ya.
 
i have one sitting in my closet. i was keeping it as a back up. i got it when i purchased the track from someone. where exactly is butte ?
 
Okay managed to get to the garage, took me 3 hours to mow the yard! It measures 33 inches wide and just over 19 inches front to back.

DCFN0001-33.jpg


DCFN0002-27.jpg


DCFN0005-18.jpg


Looks like the weather stripping would need replaced. If Trippen Out's is an aftermarket you have two options. I don't have the brackets so you'd have to swap them from your old one.
 
marco said:
Okay managed to get to the garage, took me 3 hours to mow the yard! It measures 33 inches wide and just over 19 inches front to back.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the effort and the photos!
The moonroof is larger than mine tho. Mine measures 31 1/4 wide and 18 3/4 front to back. :(

Another difference is that the mounting bracket on mine doesn't seem to come off, it's part of a 4-piece stamped metal frame that looks like it's epoxied to the glass.

But let it be known that if we ever get together, I owe ya at least one cold quality brew for taking the time to check for me. Thanks. :)
 
Trippen Out said:
i have one sitting in my closet. i was keeping it as a back up. i got it when i purchased the track from someone. where exactly is butte ?
Click to expand...

Butte, Montana. Its claims to fame are the late Evel Knievel, and Berkley Pit. The latter is a HUGE hole filled with toxic water. Yes, there are actually viewing areas. I have no idea why. If some huge mutant life-form comes slithering outta the Pit, I don't want to be anywhere in the area.

Does the one you got match the dimensions and description I'd posted above to Marco? Cos that would make my day. :D
 
slowmkviii said:
Can You go to a glass factory and have them cut
you factory glass to fit the aftermarket hole
Click to expand...

Wish it were possible. :(

I work in a glass shop; been a glazier for over 30 years.
The glass in a moonroof is the same as all the glass in the car except the windshield: it's tempered. Can't be cut, can't be ground. Try it, and it'll explode into those nifty little rhinestones that you're STILL vacuuming outta the car months later. It's because of the internal stresses within the glass from the tempering process. The pieces are cut to size and shape, and then tempered at a foundry.
 
you either have a special moon roof gimmick or yours was a custom add on would be my guess. my glass is 35.5 (giver or take .5 either side) and 19 across. This is a perfect fit for a 96 lsc. Ive had both of the sun roofs in my car. mine also has a mounting bracket that has 3 holes. 2 where yours are showing and one more further up by the strew you have there. if you cant find one that fits custom fit a piece of plexi to hold ya over.
 
Trippen Out said:
Ive had both of the sun roofs in my car. mine also has a mounting bracket that has 3 holes. 2 where yours are showing and one more further up by the strew you have there. if you cant find one that fits custom fit a piece of plexi to hold ya over.
Click to expand...

I have one of those, paid $90 for it from a salvage yard because I'd mistakenly assumed that mine was factory. Being a noob can be expensive. :lol:

I located the manufacturer and talked to their office. A new replacement will set me back $400, so until work picks up I'll prolly do as you suggested, swing by the shop and cut a temp replacement out of 1/8" grey plexi (or polycarbonate), and accept the fact that it looks better than sheet vinyl taped over the hole. Might even include photos when it's done. :cool:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 611 (members: 1, guests: 610)
Back
Top