Author Topic: de ville sunroof (Read 5636 times)

126dave · « **on:** August 31, 2006, 08:48:40 PM »

ok guys,i have a standard 126p,if i wanted to fit a de ville sunroof can i just get one from a deville and cut and fit(like the webasto im planning?)

.....or,are there extra bits inside the car/roof(different roof pressing maybe???) from the factory that i will not be able to replicate?

??.
thanks

Pete126 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2006, 09:24:50 PM »

Hi Dave, spotted this one on ebay tonight

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fiat-126-Fabric-Sunroof-o-e_W0QQitemZ160025008806QQihZ006QQcategoryZ10382QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

i fitted a webasto glass tilt and slide on mine a few weeks ago, works well the glass panel slides up and over the roof.

Pete

126dave · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2006, 09:42:19 PM »

hi pete,yea,thats the one im thinking of going after,the webasto i have is great,but a bit heavy,and,if i need bits in the future i may be in trouble,thats why i was thinking of the fiat one,im just not sure if the roof panel was changed on the deville to fit the sunroof.....you know? a recess at the back or somthing to accept the s/roof fittings.............

??

Pete126 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 01, 2006, 08:14:21 PM »

Hi Dave, don't know if it was part of the roof, maybe someone on the forum might be able to tell you, i fitted the britax it was a doddle to fit just cut round the template with a jigsaw, here are the pictures of it fitted.

Pete.

126dave · « **Reply #4 on:** September 01, 2006, 08:42:17 PM »

thanks again for the input,sunroof fitting holds no fear for me,i used to fit them in hire cars for a flat rate..............the reason im having second thoughts on the webasto is,that its old,and come the time i need bits i wont be able to name the part number or size etc,if i go for standerd fiat bits i really like the idea of getting onto gerstl etc and ordering de ville bits,no names,no pack drill..............hope that makes sense

Pete126 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 01, 2006, 09:36:16 PM »

Hi dave, you really need to know if the sunroof opening is part of the roof pressing and if channels have to be welded in Which can buckle the roof, if youv'e got a webasto roof i'm sure there would be spares available, its not a non discript import, the worst thing that could happen is the glass breaking and looking at mine i'm sure it could be replaced with perspex.

Pete.

P.S. i noticed you were having trouble uploading picture of your car i too was having trouble with imageshack, try photobucket it alot easier to use and you can upload more than one image at a time.

126dave · « **Reply #6 on:** September 02, 2006, 08:57:48 AM »

hi again,you hit the nail on the head regarding the roof pressing etc,thats what i need to know.........my webasto kit is complete with rivet in channels etc and is fabric and slids back,black vinyl top etc,very '70's!!...thats what im aiming for,70s retro look,your sunroof is great but too modern for me.

so,it would be nice to have the sunroof all fiat if poss,that gives choice of new vinyl in checkered etc as for the 500's,because once i've cut the hole,if the old webasto i've got goes u/s for whatever reason im snookered eh? (they came in a load of different sizes)

Pete126 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 02, 2006, 09:43:11 AM »

sorry Dave didn't relise it was a folding one, don't know if you've been on the webasto site but they do a full sliding vynil roof.

http://www.open-air-feeling.com/v_products/pr_holl400_en.php

Pete.

126dave · « **Reply #8 on:** September 02, 2006, 09:50:54 AM »

thats cool,the new ones are very very pricey tho..........thats why i sorced mine from ebay.
my reasoning is,when i have the car in malaysia,if i have probs,it will be easier just to order bits that are de ville O.E.M parts.

so the old webasto is on hold at the mo...........

Bruce · « **Reply #9 on:** September 02, 2006, 11:21:33 PM »

the de-ville roof does as you mention have a reced bit at the back, it also has a half head linning just at the back, the area around the sun roof is painted, there is also a ridge around the sun roof that has a plastic covering on it like the sort of stuff that was used around the edges of Rickman motorbike fairings. without this the roof would definatly leak quite badly.

BTW i have a wabasto to fit on my Bis, what would you say was the best way of cutting it out?

Pete126 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 03, 2006, 09:04:53 AM »

Hi Bruce, take the headlining out first and pull it through the back of the hatch be careful its fragile, there are two templates inside and out, the best way to cut it out is by using a nibbler. failing that a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade. every straight line cut i made front/back and sides i stuck some 2" masking tape over the cuts (2 or 3 layers inside and out) to help stop the thin roof from bending and vibrating, cut the roof out first then put the headlining backin, draw round the hole you've just cut out to get the position to cut the inside, add the extended pieces which you need to cut out for the inner frame, cut it out, if you can cut it in the car by using a jigsaw or stanley knife i think that would be best, i took the headlining out again did a lovely job, but when i put it back in the sides collapsed but lucky enough the trim covers it,

Pete

126dave · « **Reply #11 on:** September 03, 2006, 09:32:50 AM »

thanks bruce,thats the info i was after..........i thought there was more to it than a hole in the roof,the pics i've seen show it very similer to the 500 installation....i had a deville,cant for the life of me remember the sunroof tho!!!...............so the resto of the webasto goes on.........

Bruce · « **Reply #12 on:** September 07, 2006, 11:50:36 PM »

cheers pete, i'll get a nibler then, the roof was originally fitted to a mini estate, in fact it still has a few inches of roof all around it, so i have a perfect template. just the wind deflector is missing.