[Damaskinos_of_Athens]

.
Sunroofs are not a manufacturer option nor do they seem very popular any more.

Are Sunroofs no longer considered a good idea?
.

 

[USMC Vet]

.
Sunroofs are not a manufacturer option nor do they seem very popular any more.

Are Sunroofs no longer considered a good idea?
.

Damaskinos_of_Athens,

Would love to have one about 1/2 - 3/4 back on my HR Wagon. Either the type that slides all the way open or the type that the back edge lifts up about 2 inches. Would be great for drawing fresh air through while driving, have to be electrically operated from dash area though.

Semper Fi

 

[Zyzzyx]

As I look down at our office parking lot, rough count is that 50% of the vehicles have sunroofs. I'd say they're plenty popular. Cars, minivans, full size trucks, all of 'em. No full size vans in the lot though.


But with the roof curve for the modern vans, I don't see the traditional sunroof location right over the front seats being available.

 

[USMC Vet]

Just wondering.
Has anyone installed a power sunroof (hopefully on a HR ) ?
If so, mfg, size, problems ?
Thanks

Semper Fi

 

[GapRunr]

I've dreamed of putting a huge power moonroof in the middle of the van roof. Webasto makes a few.

Webasto Sunroofs - Light and Air You Can Retrofit

Webasto has the largest range of sun roof systems - and that includes your car and boat.

www.webasto-comfort.com

 

[surly Bill]

A sunroof is a difficult thing to put in a Transit because of the bowed roof. Either a whole lot of goop to fill the gaps on the ends, or convince Hein to make a sunroof adapter like his vent adapter. I'd LOVE to stick in a pop-up sunroof.

 

[Damaskinos_of_Athens]

.
Sounds like a good candidate for an OEM wish list.
.

 

[Boboxx]

I would love to have a DOMETIC HEKI 3PLUS in my van!

 

[asdrew]

I might put a fake one on my van since I'm quite vain, lol:

 

[MsNomer]

Even with the PM's flatter roof, we seldom see a sun roof. I suspect the primary reason is priorities. Fans are better at moving air, then we fill the remainder with solar.

 

[Michael Ophus]

2 nonpowered Sunroofs plus a Maxxfan installed on a Ford Transit.

Moose Van Build

Both roof rails are up. Just need to figure out how I'm going to attach the Thule AeroBlade crossbar. I have a 1/2" spacer that sits on the 15 series to clear the roof, 8020 part# 2170. I couldn't figure out how to bolt it directly without drilling through the crossbar. I'm going to try using...

www.fordtransitusaforum.com

 

[surly Bill]

2 nonpowered Sunroofs plus a Maxxfan installed on a Ford Transit.

Moose Van Build

Both roof rails are up. Just need to figure out how I'm going to attach the Thule AeroBlade crossbar. I have a 1/2" spacer that sits on the 15 series to clear the roof, 8020 part# 2170. I couldn't figure out how to bolt it directly without drilling through the crossbar. I'm going to try using...

www.fordtransitusaforum.com

Those look like deck hatches, which is just as good.

 

[phil]

FWIW

 

[USMC Vet]

2 nonpowered Sunroofs plus a Maxxfan installed on a Ford Transit.

Those look like deck hatches, which is just as good.

Michael, Surly Bill,

Thanks for the info, but not what is needed.
Wanting info on a sunroof, either opens internally or back lifts up 2-3 inches, not a vent that has a housing on top of the Transit. If it is not a powered sunroof, it is of no use to me. No way to open and close it.

Semper Fi

 

[surly Bill]

I assume that a powered sunroof CAN be installed. Even though it takes more room than is available between the ceiling ribs, so does a pop-top. It would be a lot of fabrication (and $) but I'm absolutely certain a powered sunroof could be fitted into a Transit.

 

[TransitFocus]

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

A completely unscientific poll would likely reveal that people who have had an aftermarket sunroof in a vehicle will never do so again. I had Ziebart install a sunroof in my old Honda Civic hatchback. It was great for about 5 years, but then started leaking pretty badly. Every time I took a turn in the rain, I'd get a dumping of water onto my lap...usually when I was wearing nicer office clothes. When I eventually got rid of the car, I swore I'd never do another (and I haven't).

That said, I don't know how much support the sunroof had in the roof of that particular car. I suspect that it was just a big expanse of single-layer sheet metal, but that's just speculation.

Just my $0.02.

 

[USMC Vet]

TransitFocus,

Thanks, but again don't want something sitting on top of the roof, like this does.
Something simple like a sunroof is preferred.

I assume that a powered sunroof CAN be installed. I'm absolutely certain a powered sunroof could be fitted into a Transit.

surly Bill,
Trying to find if someone has actually done one, to find out how, mfg, size, problems.

Semper Fi

 

[USMC Vet]

I know from Damien89 back in 2015-16 posted about his Transit having a required glass escape hatch in the roof of his Transit, and from another forum member that had posted about them while on a trip to Europe. I have PM'ed him for more info about them.

If the EU Transits have a glass escape in the roof, there must be a way of mounting glass in the roof, that is shaped like the roof and is engineered to prevent leaks. Along with the support necessary for it to be used as a "escape hatch".

My thinking is that it just might be possible to use the same space for a power sunroof and wonder why no U.S. company has considered this. Of course I am thinking that the roofs in all the Transits are constructed the same, which may/maynot be accurate (?) .

I'm hoping that one of the vast number of members on this forum has found a mfg that has installed power sunroofs in Transits.

Semper Fi

 

[surly Bill]

Most of the aftermarket sunroofs are in the 15x30, 17x32 size range.
Take a 30" straightedge and set it on your Transit roof and see how well THAT would work!
The smallest manual sunroofs I've found are the "his and hers" 17x17.
Cutout is 16-5/8" x 16-5/8", total size is 17-5/8" x 17-5/8".
That would probably work on a Transit roof with some shims and filler on the sides. It's not much bigger than a 14x14 vent.
Around $200 though.

CRL VT1717B5H Pop-up

CRL VT1717B5H Pop-up 17" x 17" " His & Hers " Sunroof **Sold Each** Part # VT1717B5H Mfg: CR Laurence (CRL) Mfg Country: USA Warranty: 30 Days Special Trim Ring designed for multiple headliner thicknesses Independently Adjustable with Two Position Latch Glass is Removed Quickly for that...

www.vanwindowsdirect.com