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A Restyling How-To: A Sunroof Installation: 2010 Camaro
Friday, June 11, 2010
Sunroofs are one of those aftermarket accessories that consumers seek.
Installing them requires a level of skill, including automotive electrical knowledge for power sunroofs. Once learned, sunroof installations for both car dealers and individual consumers offer yet another strong skill set for the restyler professional.
Following is an overview of an install of a power sunroof. This is meant to offer a general idea of what is involved in such an installation; always refer to the manufacturer’s exact step-by-step procedures.
Here, the installation is performed on a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro with a SolAire 5300 power inbuilt sunroof from Webasto Product North America, Fenton, Mich. The car is owned by Neil Tjin and has been part of the Tjin Edition Roadshow.
Common tools for this type of installation are electric shears, power screwdriver, air chisel, rivet gun, drill, glue gun and small hand tools like a putty knife, circuit tester, headliner tucking tool, sockets, 1/8" drill bit. One very experienced installer can manage this application, but for some portions of the process, two sets of hands make it much easier. A moderately skilled installer will take 7-8 hours to complete this installation.
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2. Special attention needs to be given to the depressed area of the roof skin. This is because the vast majority of sunroof applications are in flatter roof panels; so this installation requires more diligence.
3. The headliner is removed and prep work is started to get a good finished appearance for the interior. Overhead console removal is more complex than most vehicles. Instruction is on Webasto’s website. Headliner must be taken out the passenger side door for ease of removal.
4. The roof skin is measured and cut for the sunroof. The measurement and cutting process are both done from the outside.
5. The headliner is ready for modification: The front, sides and rear portions (6"- 8" from the outer edge) of the original headliner are retained; then the entire headliner is recovered with new material. Note: New headliner fabric must be ordered for the installation.
6. Outer trim ring is installed and fixed to inner mounting ring, sandwiching the roof skin in between.
7. Sunroof unit is mounted inside the vehicle. The sunroof module is briefly held in place by hand while mounting bolts are started by hand, then torqued.
8. As with all inbuilt installations, additional support brackets are affixed to ensure a solid placement and a good finish for outer roof skin.
9. Drain tubes are routed: down “A” pillars for the front and down “C” pillars for the rear. Wiring is routed down the left “A” pillar.
10. Electrical connections are made.
11. A small insert is used in the rear of the outer trim ring to fill in the gap caused by the irregular roof skin contour on the 2010 Camaro.
12. The sunroof switch is mounted in the overhead console. A supplied switch bracket is used as a template: The hole is scribed, then cut out for the switch.
13. Headliner board is wrapped with new material. Sliding sunshade is wrapped to match. Remember: New headliner fabric must be ordered for the installation. Portions of the original headliner are retained to keep the basic shape intact.
14. Trim ring insert piece provides for a very clean OE-look.
15. Finished installation makes the car look even better
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